Moving up North
North general manager for Africa exports John Whitfield attributes the company’s ongoing continental success to its high-quality product offering, together with the establishment of strategic local partnerships. “Growth in these sectors has prompted an increase in demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety products, as more workers are exposed to hazardous environments.”
Despite its proven performance as a supplier of superior quality PPE, Whitfield admits that North’s progression has often been halted by the economic empowerment policies of certain regions that the company has targeted. “Policies tend to favour conducting business with domestic product and service providers, which sometimes prevents us from becoming a preferred supplier.”
To overcome this challenge, North has grown its business via strategic investments. “We have formed partnerships with local associates and have opened North Safety Products companies in Mozambique, Zambia, the DRC and Kenya. Our positive financial and socio-economic contributions to these economies have been well-received. As a result, we plan to expand into West Africa soon,” adds Whitfield.
North exports manager Hayley Arnesen adds that the entire North product portfolio is supported by product specialists that provide technical support that is aimed at ensuring that its African partner companies always have access to information and sound advice on correct product applications. “This enables them to provide value-added site audits that identify possible safety, health and environmental risks, followed by a recommendation of relevant PPE to enhance safety,” she says.
North also offers its clients the option of onsite stores that are administered by North’s inventory control system. Arnesen continues: “The inventory control system allows the client to measure and control PPE issues by individual, thereby reducing expenditure on PPE and providing valuable data on consumption by plant, employee, job position, cost centre and item. It also eliminates the need for costly stockholding, as customers pay for what they use only.”
Arnesen maintains that North is leading the way in Africa by not only selling superior products, but by offering comprehensive solutions. “We allow our clients to concentrate on their operations, while we take care of their safety needs. I believe that this stands us in good stead to become the preferred supplier of PPE throughout Africa,” she concludes.
Ends
Notes to the editor
There are numerous photographs specific to this press release. Please visit http://media.ngage.co.za and click the North Safety Products Africa link.
About North Safety Products Africa
North Safety Products Africa (NSPA) is one of South Africa’s leading designers, manufactures and marketers of personal protection and safety equipment products in the workplace. The company designs, develops and manufactures a comprehensive range of safety equipment. This includes: respiratory equipment; hand protection; hearing protection; eye, head and face protection; height safety; and protective clothing and footwear. North also provides technical and customer support whereby skilled professionals assist businesses with the implementation and management of their company needs. With a global reputation for high quality protective gear, pioneering technology and valuable manufacturing assistance, North prides itself on exceeding their clients’ expectations.
North Safety Products Africa Contact
Lizette Kasselman
Group marketing manager
Phone: (031) 705 6085
Email: marketing [at] northsafety [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.northsafety.co.za
Media Contact
Jonathan Ducie
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867-7763
Fax: 086 512 3352
Cell: 084 709 0167
Email: jonathan [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.ngage.co.za
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