Human Settlements Review - Parliamentary Monitoring Group

Human Settlements Review, Volume 1, Number 1, 2010
Enterprise Development in the Alternative
Building Technology Industry
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Hennie Roets and Serenta Ramraj
The Polymer Focus Group, Sasol ChemCity
About Sasol ChemCity
Sasol ChemCity, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Sasol Chemical Industries, acts as an incubator
facilitating the establishment of independent
downstream SMMEs in the chemical and
related sectors as well as Sasol suppliers. By
embarking on this socio-economic initiative,
Sasol has aligned itself with two important
national enterprise development strategies,
namely BEE and BBBEE. Consequently, we
are incentivized to assist businesses that
have a 26% or more BEE ownership stake.
Sasol ChemCity concentrates on start-up
businesses, growing existing businesses and
assisting turnarounds (distressed businesses).
There is a strong focus on growing the sector
by becoming involved with businesses that are
innovative (or have innovative products), are
export focused or have import replacement
capabilities.
Sasol ChemCity does not fund projects
or businesses; however, we will provide
entrepreneurs with assistance in terms of
finding possible investors or financiers. It is
a preference to remain independent from
the beneficiaries and therefore prefer not to
take up representation on the boards of the
companies it assists (unless by exception,
large funders insist on Sasol ChemCity being
represented on the incubatees’ board).
Sasol ChemCity’s service offerings include
some or all of the following:
a. Assistance with drafting a bankable
business plan;
b. Assistance with regard to acquiring
funding;
c. The necessary technical assistance
with regard to product testing and
process improvement;
d. Assistance with Concept
Development;
e. Assistance with sourcing of a suitable
BEE partner;
f. Establishment / Optimisation of
Business Processes;
g. Assistance with possible funding
proposals;
h. Training of Principals, Consultants
and Agents of Associated Business
on Safety and Marketing regarding
the Product and/or Stability tests of
products;
i. Assistance with the design /
implementation of a corporate image
/ identity for your enterprise and on
clearance of preferred corporate
image logo and or name (IP), i.e. the
design of a logo, etc.
j. Consumables for start-up of business
e.g. bottles, labels and raw material.
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