NDT AND INSPECTION COMPANY ACHIEVES OVERALL B-BBEE LEVEL 1 STATUS 

Supplied by PR and edited by Eamonn Ryan

Dekra Industrial has achieved a current overall Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) status of Level 1.

This rating, effective from 1 April 2023, comes after the company was previously recognised as a Level 3 contributor with effect from 28 April 2022.

Managing Director Johan Gerber clarifies: “The change from Level 3 to Level 1 status in just over a year is a tremendous achievement. The revised status gives Dekra Industrial access to tenders for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and other projects, where having a Level 1 or 2 status is a minimum requirement. Furthermore, when the tender stipulates the minimum requirement of a Level 2 status, having a Level 1 status is then an added competitive advantage, with a 135% BEE procurement recognition.

“This new Level 1 status also gives the company improved access to heavy industry tenders – in sectors such as renewable energy and petrochemical – where local content is required. An adjunct to this is Dekra Industrial’s highly-regarded global Service Division Industrial Inspection, with its specialist non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection skills, technologies and extensive knowledge base.

“Combined with our current overall B-BBEE Level 1 status, this now creates a very powerful – and empowered – offering in the local and pan-African non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection market. We are able to offer additional services that none of our competitors can; and are, moreover, advantageously supported by the potent international Dekra brand, with its deep history, significant expertise and global experience of almost a century with the support of the global Europe-based Service Division Industrial Inspection.”

Gerber notes that Dekra Industrial is also very proud to have achieved this current overall Level 1 status as part of its commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the overall ongoing development of South Africa and its economic transformation.

“We trust that, as the company successfully gains access to increased business in the future, the benefits thereof will also positively impact our employees, because all new business improving the company’s revenue ultimately benefits their careers and development,” he explains.

“In addition, the achievement of the current overall B-BBEE Level 1 status is also of benefit to Dekra Industrial’s clients, suppliers and business partners. Our revised status means that we are able to offer a procurement rating of 135% which assists our Dekra Industrial clients with regards to their own BEE status and ratings, and competitiveness in the marketplace.” Procuring from a supplier with a Level 1 B-BBEE certificate means that 135% of the rand value spend from this supplier will be contributed towards the company’s Preferential Procurement scorecard.

Top marks

Gerber continues: “An analysis of the points allocated across the five main B-BBEE scorecard categories: ownership, management control, skills development, enterprise and supplier development, and socio-economic development – and the percentages and weightings required versus Dekra Industrial’s actual scores, reveals that the company did very well, attaining full points across the board for three out of the five categories.”

He clarifies that, in addition, Dekra Industrial scored well in the enterprise and supplier development category, achieving more than 100% of the possible points for this category.

“We focused on specific aspects of the preferential procurement section as well as skills development. Some of the challenges involved understanding the requirements of the legislation and then complying with these requirements, including balancing our procurement spend with our suppliers throughout the year across all categories,” explains Gerber.

“In order to retain our status next year, we will monitor our procurement spend every month for the annual period for which it is valid. In this way, we aim to renew our current overall B-BBEE Level 1 status in 2024 as well.”

The empowering value of teamwork

Gerber adds: “I must offer my heart-felt gratitude to Christopher Mörsner, who is the Head of Training at the Dekra Institute of Learning (IOL), one of the business units within Dekra Industrial. He is an experienced training and development consultant, a longstanding member of our team, and was instrumental in assisting Dekra Industrial with improving our B-BBEE status.

“Together with his entire team, he has been a key driver of the process within the business. We were very fortunate to be able to draw on his immense knowledge, and are delighted that the benefits of our new B-BBEE status will also positively impact Dekra IOL’s clients,” he enthuses.

“We look forward to continuing to play our part in supporting transformation and diversity, together with our clients, suppliers and business partners as a truly powerful – and empowered – NDT and inspection leader in local and pan-African industry,” concludes Gerber.