Interview
Aggie Argyrou – Coatings is in his blood Aggie Argyrou, Chairman of SAPMA, talks candidly about the coatings industry and its positive outlook, the importance of training, and the extensive lobbying by SAPMA’s heavyweights – Tara Benn, Dr Ivor Blumenthal, Deryck Spence and Sanjeev Bhatt during the hard level-five lockdown in April of 2020 to ensure the coatings industry could operate, albeit in limited capacity, from 1 May 2020. Q: What is the general sentiment from the coatings industry considering the impact of the global pandemic? A: This has certainly been the toughest year. Globally the world started locking down in February, and the South African government followed suit by implementing a very strict lockdown. The South African government was kind enough to offer UIF compensation and looking back today, I can only be grateful. We’ve managed to navigate the pandemic without job losses. The South African nation is extremely resilient. We always manage to dig ourselves out of a hole. There are still some regulations in place, but these are being taken very seriously by companies – and is echoed in the coatings industry. Q. Looking into 2021 and 2022, how does the current sentiment change? Is there hope and belief from the industry that it can strengthen in the years to come? A. I believe the next two years will be very positive for the coatings industry. Not easy, but positive. It is vital for the local industry to keep its service levels at the highest standards and to continue driving training initiatives. SAPITI has an online training facility for retailers to train its staff and this is a vital tool to keep them motivated. This is what will keep our industry going. Every single player within our industry is vitally important.
Q. It appears that our own government can be more obsessed with international relations than strengthening our own coatings industry. Care to comment? A. We should never ignore our global partners, especially our African friends further north, however, South Africa has many of its own issues that must also be focused on. The rules for local companies and industries are not always fair. How we treat our global partners wanting to import into South Africa are in some cases very different to how our companies are being treated to export to their countries. Our government must look at stimulating the labour market and creating more local jobs, whilst balancing international relations. Q. What can government do to make it more attractive or feasible for the coatings industry to grow? A. It is no secret that our infrastructure is busy collapsing. It is imperative for us to get our act together. Eskom is failing, our watersupply is failing – just look at the Rosslyn area in Pretoria where we are located, and you see everything collapsing. In Bloemfontein the local government cannot afford to replace or repair important infrastructure. Government has to start listening to the concerns of industry. We are currently dealing with a government which acts after the horse has bolted when the only path to growth is to have active participation from both government and industry.
24 | Coatings SA
Aggie Argyrou, Chairman of SAPMA
Q. What are the real opportunities for industry to become a SAPMA member? A. Training is the single most important focus area. SAPMA is willing to work with our members and offer training and assistance on many aspects. From legal matters to understanding the hazardous substances act. Our team at SAPMA assist members in dealing with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries; The lead in paint legislation; The DTI; the Department of Health and other statutory bodies and we are actively driving SABS or an independent laboratory standard to be implemented for coatings in South Africa.
