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FEATURE
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Vulcan Catering Equipment FEATURE
Jane Bordenave discovers what makes South Africa’s leading catering equipment manufacturer stand out from the crowd, and what it is doing to keep itself ahead of the game. Image courtesy of dcarlbom. www.flickr.com/people/dcarlbom/
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ulcan Catering Equipment is South Africa’s leading supplier to the commercial and industrial catering sectors. With customers in all markets, from schools to restaurants and from prisons to hospitals, the company has built up a strong presence as a reliable manufacturer of quality equipment. As well as selling under its own brand, it also markets goods for other leading companies in the field. One of the things that sets Vulcan Catering Equipment apart from other producers is its commitment to South Africa as a business base: Everything that the company manufactures is made entirely in South Africa by South African workers, with no overseas
Everything that the company manufactures is made entirely in South Africa by South African workers outsourcing. It currently employs over 350 people on an equal opportunities basis; length of service from these workers is impressive, with staff choosing to stay with the firm for many years. One of the major factors influencing this level of loyalty amongst the personnel is the training given to them. The pool of skilled workers to be found in this field is small, making it hard to find pre-trained to bring on board. Consequently, Vulcan Catering Equipment has taken a pragmatic approach to this problem and has chosen to employ unskilled staff and school them itself. The business uses both internal and external training to deliver knowledge to these members of its workforce. In addition to this occupational training, the company is committed to improving overall educational www.southafricamag.com
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Vulcan Catering Equipment FEatUrE
standards amongst its staff; initial literacy levels among the people who have come to work for the company can be low and so the company has chosen to provide education for these workers, enabling them to improve their standards of reading and writing. This holistic approach to the welfare of its personnel, especially the teaching of skills that may not necessarily be directly related to their particular job, ensures a happy, knowledgeable workforce and low staff turnover. As well as investing in its workers, the company has also invested heavily in its infrastructure. The original Johannesburg factory used by the firm has been demolished and a new, modernised facility built in its place – the biggest of its kind in Africa. The recent purchase of a large number of new machines, which allow increased automation in the manufacturing process, has allowed the business to reduce both costs and lead time. The use of CAD in the factory also ensures that Vulcan Catering Equipment is using the most up to date and efficient methods of production available. As well as ensuring that all of its equipment is up to date for the sake of processing time and margins, the company also has a strong green focus. All of the equipment used in the factory is accredited by the South African Bureau of Standards. The firm is also always striving to improve efficiency in its production process, which has the dual benefit of reducing costs, as well as being ecofriendly. Finally, the enterprise is constantly looking for ways to reduce its emissions and its overall impact on the environment in any way it can. Vulcan Catering Equipment has established a strong bond with its suppliers
and has developed a loyal customer base, both of which go hand in hand. Its close working relationship with its supplier base enables the company to ensure that the highest standards of quality are upheld. These standards are then passed along to the consumer, which is provided with the highest quality catering equipment available. The range of products that the firm produces has enabled it to establish a presence in every sector where large-scale catering equipment is required. The business offers equipment that serves the whole spectrum of food production, starting with storage, through to preparation machinery and ovens, and serving equipment, such as service counters and trolleys – it can even provide its clients with ware washing and waste disposal products. While this diverse range of high quality catering machines and peripherals, as well as design and planning is what attracts customers initially, it is the company’s aftercare service that inspires loyalty. A comprehensive warranty covers all equipment manufactured by Vulcan Catering Equipment, including equipment supplied from sole agencies and national branches. This covers not only items that were sold directly by the firm, but also official resellers or representatives, within South Africa. Additionally, it guarantees to have available spares for a minimum of 10 years after a product has been discontinued. These commitments to customer satisfaction enable clients to trust the company and to feel confident about their purchase. Vulcan Catering Equipment has also established itself in the export market with its own export division. Its most important area for export is Sub-Saharan Africa, and
The range of products that the firm produces has enabled it to establish a presence in every sector where large-scale catering equipment is required
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in addition to its six South African offices, the company also has branches in Botswana and Namibia. This is not to say that it does not export to other markets as well – the business also has an established client base in a variety of industries in other areas of Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands, Australia and the United Kingdom. There are three keys to the success of Vulcan Catering Equipment that have led to it growing to the size it is today: Commitment to quality, commitment to its staff and commitment to its customers. Each one of these is important in its own right, but in combination they are much more powerful. Empowered, motivated and valued staff take greater pride in their work and are more
committed to the company ethos of quality. The high level of quality in the machines produced by this motivated workforce attracts customers who want a company that can provide them with superior machines time and again. The additional services and commitments, such as aftercare, environmental concern and design and layout capabilities build on these foundation blocks to provide not just South Africa, but the world with topend products that can satisfy any catering need, anywhere. This is what makes Vulcan Catering Equipment special and successful, and will doubtless lead to further growth and innovation, keeping it ahead of the competition in the world of catering equipment manufacture.
Empowered, motivated and valued sta take greater pride in their work and are more committed to the company ethos of quality
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VULCAN C AT E R I N G EQUIPMENT south africa magazine, suite 9 and 10, the royal, Bank Plain, norwich, norfolk, Uk. nr2 4sF tnt magazine, 14-15 child’s Place, Earl’s court, London, Uk. sW5 9rX ENQUIRIES telephone: 0044 (0)1603 343267 Fax: 0044 (0)1603 283602 emailus@southafricamag.com SUBSCRIPTIONS call: 00441603 283573 subscriptions@southafricamag.com
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Head Office & Export Division, Johannesburg Tel:+27 11 249 8500 Fax:+27 11 249 8534 Postal Address: PO Box 60188 Langlaagte 2102 South Africa Physical Address: 15 Newclare Road Industria 2093 E-mail:vulcan@vulcan.co.za
www.vulcan.co.za