4 December 2024 – Gqeberha
On 4 December 2024, the Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC) proudly presented CRH-Africa with the prestigious Africa Kaizen Award during a recent ceremony held in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.
This accolade signifies a significant milestone for CRH-Africa, underscoring our company’s commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence. The award is a testament to CRH-Africa’s ability to integrate the principles and practices of Kaizen into our operations, fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability.
The AKA, a joint initiative by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), celebrates organisations that embody Kaizen’s ethos. These principles include the relentless pursuit of quality and efficiency, teamwork, and eliminating waste. Practices such as 5S (Sort, set in order, Shine, Standardise, Sustain) and data-driven decision-making enhance productivity.
What This Award Means to CRH-Africa
Receiving the Africa Kaizen Award represents a pivotal moment for CRH-Africa. It reflects our company’s journey of transformation and the dedication of our employees to embracing methodologies in line with Kaizen’s philosophy. Tina Spalding, CRH-Africa’s Continuous Improvement Manager, believes this recognition serves as both a reward for past efforts and a catalyst for future advancements.
“This award is not just recognition of what we have achieved but a roadmap for where we are heading. It inspires everyone in our organisation to continue seeking innovative ways to improve and adapt to the ever-changing demands of the automotive industry,” Spalding remarked.
Building a Future of Growth and Innovation
Spanning 17 000m² and with 494 employees, our award-winning performance in the Large-Scale Organisation category cements our status as a leader in the Eastern Cape’s automotive sector. For over 60 years, CRH-Africa has been a cornerstone of the region’s component manufacturing industry, supplying exhaust components, brackets, flanges, and assemblies to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier 1 customers.
With recent expansion efforts, such as acquiring Technique Manufacturing in KwaZulu-Natal, we aim to solidify our presence in South Africa’s automotive landscape. Divisional Head of Metal Pressings, Etienne Els, emphasised that this growth aligns with the company’s long-term vision of becoming a global contender in the OEM space.
By adopting Kaizen principles, CRH-Africa has fostered a resilient and dynamic workforce that consistently strives for improvement. “Kaizen has transformed our work culture, enabling us to address and overcome challenges confidently and precisely,” Spalding explained.
The company’s dedication to fostering a collaborative environment is evident in the enthusiasm of our employees, who are now eager to participate in further Kaizen training and projects. This cultural shift ensures we remain agile in a highly competitive market.
Looking Ahead
The momentum generated by this award sets the stage for our future endeavours. “We aim to sustain this momentum and transfer our knowledge to our new KwaZulu-Natal plant, ensuring our Kaizen journey impacts every corner of our operations,” Spalding noted. Collaboration with the AIDC-EC has broadened our horizons and unlocked new opportunities. “Their guidance and support have showcased the tangible results that can be achieved through Kaizen,” Spalding added.
As we continue to advance, Kaizen principles will remain central, driving growth, innovation, and sustainability. This recognition catalyses further improvement and expansion, positioning us to shape a future of excellence in the automotive sector. We are excited to see where this partnership leads us.