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Exporter of the Year Awards

Exporter of the Year 2021

In its 26th year, the Exporter of the Year Awards is hosted annually to acknowledge the achievements of Eastern Cape exporters and service providers in the province. The Awards ceremony was hosted online on Friday, 20 August 2021 with an interactive live event, which was presented by MC Gareth Burley.

Creating hundreds of new jobs, increasing market share, profits and growing export turnover. These are just some of the successes Exporters Eastern Cape’s Exporter of the Year 2021 winners achieved over the past year.

Entertainment for the evening included Franky and the Misfits, Letters from Jane and Roland Gaspar. LX Events assisted with organising the online event and Oracle Media provided all the artwork designs and organised the online event platform. Michael Sheehan is the photographer for this year’s Exporter of the Year.

A highlight of the evening was the announcement of the prestigious Overall Winner of the Exporter of the Year 2021, Acoustex Group, a Gqeberha-based manufacturer of automotive components exported to 12 countries around the world.

The category and merit award winners of the 2021 Exporter of the Year Awards are:

Exporter of the Year Overall Winner: Acoustex Group

BEST EXPORTER: OEM

Best Exporter OEM Winner: Volkswagen Group South Africa
Best Exporter OEM Merit Award for Skills Development and Transformation Initiatives: Isuzu Motors South Africa

BEST EXPORTER: CORPORATE

Best Exporter Corporate Winner: SMA Engineering South Africa
Best Exporter Corporate Merit Award for Improvement in Profitability: Purem Port Elizabeth (Eberspächer SA)
Best Exporter Corporate Merit Award for Increase in Export Turnover and Profitability: San Miguel Fruits South Africa

BEST EXPORTER: MEDIUM ENTERPRISE

Best Exporter Medium Enterprise Winner: Acoustex Group

BEST EXPORTER: SMALL BUSINESS

Best Exporter Small Business Winner: OPM Tooling Import & Export CC

BEST PROVIDER OF SERVICE TO EXPORTERS

Best Provider of Service to Exporters Winner: Toyota Industrial Equipment
Best Provider of Service to Exporters Merit Award for Awards Won and Achievements: Oracle Media
Best Provider of Service to Exporters Merit Award for New Contracts: Coega Development Corporation

IDC JOB CREATION

IDC Job Creation Award Winner: SMA Engineering South Africa
IDC Job Creation Merit Award: Lumotech
IDC Job Creation Merit Award: Sovereign Foods
IDC Job Creation Merit Award: Isuzu Motors South Africa
IDC Job Creation Merit Award: S4 Development Services

SJM FLEX ENVIRONMENTAL

SJM Flex Environmental Award Winner: Volkswagen Group South Africa
SJM Flex Environmental Merit Award: Coega Development Corporation
SJM Flex Environmental Merit Award: Purem Port Elizabeth (Eberspächer SA)
SJM Flex Environmental Merit Award: Isuzu Motors South Africa

Thank you to all our sponsors for making this event possible!

2021 Overall Exporter of the Year Winner

Acoustex Group

Overall Winner – Exporter of the Year 2021
Best Exporter Medium Enterprise Winner

From left Weza Moss (Executive Director, Acoustex Group); Quintin Levey (Exporters Eastern Cape Chairman), Andre Swartbooi (Commercial Director, Acoustex Group); Shanaaz Ismail (Executive Director, Acoustex Group); Ronel Marais (Acting Manager General Purchasing, Volkswagen Group South Africa); George Yerolemou (Managing Director, Acoustex Group) and Laiken Ragaval (Assistant Finance Manager and Office Manager, Oracle Media).

2021 Overall Exporter of the Year Winner

Acoustex Group

Overall Winner – Exporter of the Year 2021
Best Exporter Medium Enterprise Winner

The Acoustex team celebrating the awards they won!

2021 Category Winner

Volkswagen Group South Africa

Best Exporter OEM Winner
SJM Flex Environmental Award Winner

From left Andile Dlamini (Head: Group Communications, VWSA); Thanusha Pillay (Social Media Leads Manager, Oracle Media); Charl Buys (Purchasing Manager: New Projects, VWSA); Sujit Bhagattjee (New Business Development Manager, Transnet National Ports Authority); Jacqueline Sutch (Planning and Purchasing Controller, VWSA) and Keren Jooman (Exports Administrator, VWSA).

2021 Category Winner

Volkswagen Group South Africa

Best Exporter OEM Winner
SJM Flex Environmental Award Winner

From left Andile Dlamini (Head: Group Communications, VWSA); Nick Chapman (Manager: Central Plant Engineering, VWSA); Mark Morgutti (SHEQ Manager, SJM Flex SA), Manfred Gie (Strategic Plant Development Manager, VWSA); Zelda Lourens-Strydom (OHSE Supervisor, VWSA) and Sujit Bhagattjee (New Business Development Manager, Transnet National Ports Authority).

2021 Category Winner

SMA Engineering South Africa

Best Exporter – Corporate – Winner
IDC Job Creation Award – Winner

From left Stephen van Niekerk (Managing Director, SMA Engineering); Mary Spurdzins (Logistics Manager, SMA Engineering); Chris Earl (Financial Manager, SMA Engineering) and Stephanie Schultz (HR/Admin Manager, SMA Engineering).

2021 Category Winner

OPM Tooling Import & Export CC

Best Exporter – Small Business – Winner

From left Quintin Levey (Chairman, Exporters Eastern Cape); Lee Ann Felkers (Quality Assurance Coordinator, OPM Tooling); Mikaila Ann Kliment (Quality Assurance Manager, OPM Tooling); Ettiene van der Mescht (Project Manager, OPM Tooling); Michael Kliment (CEO, OPM Tooling) and Kingsley Dell-Robertson (Regional Manager, Industrial Development Corporation).

2021 Category Winner

Toyota Industrial Equipment

Best Provider of Service to Exporters Winner

From left Denise van Huyssteen (CEO, Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber); Kevin Muller (Maintenance Manager, Toyota Industrial Equipment); Bernie Warner (Service & Workshop Manager, Toyota Industrial Equipment); Vuyokazi Bangazi (National Sales Manager, Toyota Industrial Equipment); Dr Randall Jonas (Business School Director, Nelson Mandela University Business School) and Hoosain Mahomed (Executive Manager: Stakeholder Management and Special Projects, AIDC Eastern Cape).

2021 Merit Awards Winner

Isuzu Motors South Africa

Best Exporter OEM – Merit Award for Skills Development and Transformation Initiatives
IDC Job Creation Award – Merit Award
SJM Flex Environmental Award – Merit Award

From left Dominic Rimmer (Senior Vice President Technical Operations, Isuzu Motors South Africa); Deon Joubert (Managing Director, SJM Flex SA); Mandlakazi Sigcawu (Department Executive Corporate & Public Affairs, Isuzu Motors South Africa); Quintin Levey (Chairman, Exporters Eastern Cape) and Elvis Mongezi Hermans (Senior Vice President: Human Capital & Corporate Affairs, Isuzu Motors South Africa).

2021 Merit Award Winner

San Miguel Fruits South Africa

Best Exporter Corporate – Merit Award for Increase in Export Turnover and Profitability

From left Sujit Bhagattjee (New Business Development Manager, Transnet National Ports Authority); Hein Potgieter (Supply Chain Manager SA, San Miguel Fruits) and Peter Lancaster (Technical Director, DG Incentives).

2021 Merit Award Winner

Purem Port Elizabeth (Eberspächer SA)

Best Exporter Corporate – Merit Award for Improvement in Profitability
SJM Flex Environmental Award – Merit Award

From left Suzanne Vermeulen (Branch Coordinator, Exporters Eastern Cape); Richardt van Rooyen (Senior Manager: Manufacturing Engineering, Purem Port Elizabeth); Kieron Jordaan (Managing Director, Purem Port Elizabeth), Dr Randall Jonas (Business School Director, Nelson Mandela University Business School) and Petrus Moolman (Senior Manager: Finance and Controlling, Purem Port Elizabeth).

2021 Merit Award Winner

Oracle Media

Best Provider of Service to Exporters – Merit Award for Awards Won and Achievements

From top Michele Lourens (Station Manager, Kingfisher FM); Prince Matonsi (Operations Manager, Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber) and Arthur Blofield (Operations & Client Liaison Manager, Oracle Media).

2021 Merit Awards Winner

Coega Development Corporation

Best Provider of Service to Exporters – Merit Award for New Contracts
SJM Flex Environmental Award – Merit Award

From left Sonwabiso Nabe (Marketing & Communications Young Professional, CDC); Hoosain Mahomed (Executive Manager: Stakeholder Management and Special Projects, AIDC Eastern Cape); Sandiso Nombona (Marketing & Communications Young Professional, CDC); Brenden Adriaanzen (Director, DG Incentives) and Rene Marais (Marketing & Communications Young Professional, CDC).

2021 Merit Award Winner

S4 Development Services

IDC Job Creation Award – Merit Award

From left Prince Matonsi (Operations Manager, Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber); Nico Claassen (Software Development Manager, S4 Development Services) and Mandlakazi Sigcawu (Department Executive Corporate & Public Affairs, Isuzu Motors South Africa).

2021 Merit Award Winner

Lumotech

IDC Job Creation Award – Merit Award

From left Kingsley Dell-Robertson (Regional Manager, Industrial Development Corporation) and Wolfgang Ropertz (Managing Director, Lumotech).

2021 Merit Award Winner

Sovereign Foods

IDC Job Creation Award – Merit Award

From left Blaine Nell (Export Manager & Head of Divisional Finance: Commercial Division, Sovereign Foods) and Suzanne Vermeulen (Branch Coordinator, Exporters Eastern Cape).

Gareth Burley, MC for the Awards Event

Frankie and The Misfits

Letters from Jane

Roland Gaspar

Trophies and certificates will be handed over to all the winners at their premises

Behind the scenes

Behind the Scenes

Exporters EC - EOTY - Thanking our Sponsors-04

EXPORTER OF THE YEAR 2021 - Prize Sponsors3

Exporters EC - EOTY - Thanking LX and OM3-05

Media Release - Exporter of the Year - Post Event

Media Release - Exporter of the Year - Pre-Event

Media Release - Exporter of the Year - Launch

Exporter of the Year 2020

In its 25th year, the Exporter of the Year Awards is hosted annually to acknowledge the achievements of Eastern Cape exporters and service providers in the province. The 2020 awards event was a special milestone for the organisation, who is celebrating 40 years of existence in Port Elizabeth.

It was also the first year that the Exporter of the Year Awards was hosted online with an interactive live event, which was presented by MC Gareth Burley. Entertainment for the evening included the Nelson Mandela Bay Musicians Collaboration, magician Brendon Peel and comedian Marc Lottering.

Congratulations to S4 Development Services that was named Exporter of the Year – Overall Winner as well as the following Category and Merit Award winners:

SJM Flex Environmental Practice Award

• Winner: Tavcor Motor Group

SJM Flex Environmental Award

• Winner: Volkswagen Group South Africa

IDC Job Creation Award

• Merit Award: Oracle Media

• Merit Award: S4 Development Services

• Winner: Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa

Best Provider of Services to Exporters

• Winner: Oracle Media

Best Exporter: Small Business

• No Winner

Best exporter: Medium Enterprise

• Merit Award for New Contracts: Sovereign Foods

• Winner: S4 Development Services

Best Exporter: Corporate

• Winner: Eberspächer South Africa

Best Exporter: OEM

• Merit Award for Major Achievements: Volkswagen Group South Africa

• Merit Award for Overcoming Obstacles: Isuzu Motors South Africa

• Winner: Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa

2020 Exporter of the Year – Overall Winner: S4 Development Services

Listen to the Algoa FM interview with the 2020 Exporter of the Year Winner – S4 Development Services

Media Release - Exporter of the Year Awards Event

Media Release - Exporter of the Year Post Event

Listen to the Kingfisher FM interviews with the 2020 Category Winners

S4 Development Services

Tavcor Motor Group

VWSA

Ford Motor Company

Oracle Media

Eberspächer South Africa

2020 Overall Exporter of the Year Winner

S4 Development Services

Overall Winner – Exporter of the Year 2020
Best Exporter Medium Enterprise Winner
IDC Job Creation Merit Award

From left Exporters EC Chairman Quintin Levey, S4 Development Services Software Engineer (Development Strategy Lead) Meggan Naudé, S4 Development Services Software Engineer (Quality Lead) Elana Blom, S4 Development Services Software Engineer (Office Manager) Ntombenkosi Yokwana, S4 Development Services Software Engineer (Development Manager) Ashley Els, Transnet National Ports Authority Port of Ngqura Port Manager Tandi Lebakeng and Volkswagen Group South Africa Division Head of Purchasing Thomas Bindseil.

2020 Category Winners

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa

Best Exporter – OEM Winner
IDC Job Creation Winner

From left Shawn Sharp (Acting Assistant Plant Manager, Ford Struandale Engine Plant), Michael Verwant (HR Manager, Ford Struandale Engine Plant), Sujit Bhagattjee (New Business Development Manager, Transnet National Ports Authority), Shawn Govender (Plant Manager, Ford Struandale Engine Plant), Neil Barker (Managing Director, Oracle Media), Neil Stander (Programs and Engineering Manager, Ford Struandale Engine Plant), Kingsley Dell-Robertson (Regional Manager, Industrial Development Corporation).

2020 Category Winner

Eberspächer South Africa

Best Exporter – Corporate Winner

From left Glenn van Eck (CEO, Magnetic Storm), Brett Lindhorst (Senior Manager Operations, Eberspächer SA), Kieron Jordaan (Managing Director, Eberspächer SA), Petrus Moolman (Senior Manager Finance and Controlling, Eberspächer SA), Prince Matonsi (Operations Manager, Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber), Rajesh Dana (Port Manager at Port of Port Elizabeth, Transnet National Ports Authority).

2020 Category & Merit Award Winner

Volkswagen Group South Africa

SJM Flex Environmental Award Winner
Best Exporter – OEM – Merit Award for Major Achievements

From left Nick Chapman (Manager: Central Plant Engineering, VWSA), Zelda Lourens-Strydom (OHSE Supervisor, VWSA) Hoosain Mahomed (General Manager, AIDC Eastern Cape), Manfred Gie (Manager: Strategic Plant Development, VWSA), Alan Ahlfeldt (Acting Station Manager, Kingfisher FM), Jens Bruecker (Production and Logistics Director, VWSA).

2020 Merit Award Winner

Isuzu Motors South Africa

Best Exporter – OEM Merit Award for Overcoming Obstacles

From left Prince Matonsi (Operations Manager, Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber), Dominic Rimmer (Senior Vice President Technical Operations, Isuzu Motors South Africa), Jane Stevenson (Managing Director, Magnetic Minds).

2020 Merit Award Winner

Sovereign Foods

Best Exporter – Medium Enterprise – Merit Award for New Contracts

From left Kingsley Dell-Robertson (Regional Manager, Industrial Development Corporation), Blaine Nell (Export Manager & Head of Divisional Finance: Commercial Division, Sovereign Foods), Dr Randall Jonas (Business School Director, Nelson Mandela University Business School).

2020 Category & Merit Award Winner

Oracle Media

Best Provider of Service to Exporters Winner
IDC Job Creation Award – Merit Award

From left Sujit Bhagattjee (New Business Development Manager, TNPA), Arthur Blofield (Client Liaison Department Manager, Oracle Media), Neil Barker (Managing Director, Oracle Media), Sohail Govender (Financial Director & General Manager, Oracle Media), Thomas Bindseil (Division Head of Purchasing, Volkswagen Group South Africa).

2020 Category Winner

Tavcor Motor Group

SJM Flex Environmental Practice Award Winner

From left Neil Barker (Managing Director, Oracle Media), Garrick Bowker (CEO, Tavcor Motor Group), Megan Stow (Director: Human Resources, Tavcor Motor Group), Justin Ries (Sales Head, FNB Business).

Sponsors of Exporter of the Year 2020

Thank you to all the sponsors of the 2020 Exporter of the Year Gala Awards for your support and contribution in making this year’s online event a great success!

Exporter of the Year 2019

Congratulations to Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) as the Overall Winner of the 24th annual Exporter of the Year Awards as well as all the merit award and category winners.

The 2019 merit and category winners are:

SJM Flex Environmental Practice Award

Winner: La Mohair

SJM Flex Environmental Award

First Merit Award: SMA Engineering
Second Merit Award: Eberspächer South Africa
Third Merit Award: Volkswagen Group South Africa
Winner: Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa

IDC Job Creation Award

First Merit Award: Sovereign Foods
Second Merit Award: Shatterprufe
Third Merit Award: Volkswagen Group South Africa
Winner: Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa

Best provider of services to exporters

First Merit Award for Major Accomplishments: Coega Development Corporation
Second Merit Award for Major Accomplishments and Improvement of Profitability: BLG Logistics of South-Africa
Winner: Sasfin Commercial Solutions (Global Trade)

Best exporter: Small business

Merit Award for Improvement in Export Profitability: La Mohair
Winner: S4 Integration

Best exporter: Medium enterprise

Winner: Sovereign Foods

Best exporter: Corporate

First Merit Award for Increase in Export Turnover: Talhado Fishing Enterprises
Second Merit Award for Entrepreneurial Export Flair: Eberspächer South Africa
Third Merit Award for Entrepreneurial Export Flair: G Modiano Ltd.
Winner: Shatterprufe

Best exporter: OEM

Merit Award for Major Accomplishments: Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa
Winner: Volkswagen Group South Africa

2019 Overall Exporter of the Year: Volkswagen Group South Africa

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Media Sponsor

Listen to the Kingfisher FM interviews with the 2019 Category Winners

VWSA

Ford Motor Company

Sasfin Commercial Solutions (Global Trade)

Sovereign Foods

La Mohair

S4 Integration

Transnet National Ports Authority

Shatterprufe

Exporters Eastern Cape

2019 Overall Exporter of the Year Winner

Congratulations to VWSA as the 2019 Overall Exporter of the Year Winner. Ms Nozipho Mdawe, Acting Chief Executive of Transnet National Ports Authority (left) and Exporters Eastern Cape Chairman Quintin Levey (right) congratulated VWSA Chairman and Managing Director Thomas Schaefer (middle) on their excellent achievement.

2019 Category and Merit Award Winners

Congratulations to all the category and merit award winners.

VWSA Team at the 2019 Exporter of the Year Gala Banquet

VWSA team celebrate their awards, especially being the 2019 Overall Exporter of the Year Winner with Nomkhita Mona (middle), CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.

Transnet National Ports Authority

Thank you to Transnet National Ports Authority for being the Platinum Sponsor for this year’s Exporter of the Year Gala Banquet.

Transnet National Ports Authority

Transnet National Ports Authority is the Platinum Sponsor for the 2019 Exporter of the Year Gala Banquet.

Sponsors of Exporter of the Year 2019

Thank you to all the sponsors of the 2019 Exporter of the Year Gala Banquet for your support and contribution in making this year’s awards evening a great success!

Diamond Members

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