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Message <strong>for</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> Festive<br />
Season<br />
It’s been a tough year<br />
on many fronts, and<br />
as we wind our way to<br />
<strong>the</strong> holiday season, it’s<br />
worth reflecting on what<br />
we’ve achieved in <strong>the</strong><br />
face of challenging<br />
circumstances.<br />
The reorganisation of our physical<br />
business footprint continued<br />
this year as we consolidated<br />
operations into a more logical<br />
structure. This will lead to greater efficiencies as we’re able to strip out<br />
unnecessary duplication in expenses. The story about Knilam and Saflite<br />
on page 4 is a perfect case in point. The businesses represent some<br />
fairly advanced packaging ideas, serve similar customers and will now<br />
be able to benefit from a more knowledgeable and coordinated sales<br />
approach. This consolidation should reflect a quick positive impact on<br />
<strong>the</strong> bottom line.<br />
We’ve also reorganised <strong>the</strong> senior management structure, with an<br />
additional person to look after <strong>the</strong> east coast region, so that each<br />
operational general manager has <strong>the</strong> very best support and guidance<br />
to achieve <strong>the</strong>ir demanding budgets and goals.<br />
We experienced a major disruption during <strong>the</strong> year with <strong>the</strong> labour<br />
strikes that occurred around <strong>the</strong> country. As I wrote previously, I support<br />
<strong>the</strong> right to strike but I still ask if it was <strong>the</strong> right thing to do at <strong>the</strong> time.<br />
Our economy, and global economies, are in a precarious state at<br />
<strong>the</strong> moment, and I feel we need to be pulling toge<strong>the</strong>r to build our<br />
common prospects ra<strong>the</strong>r than pulling apart and threatening our<br />
individual futures. Hopefully, we as a country have learned from <strong>the</strong><br />
experience and we’ll see more measured action in <strong>the</strong> year ahead.<br />
Whatever be <strong>the</strong> colour of your eye,<br />
Whatever be <strong>the</strong> colour of your hair,<br />
Whatever position you occupy,<br />
Whatever religion you might declare,<br />
Whatever be <strong>the</strong> colour of your skin,<br />
Whatever be your political thought,<br />
Virtue be in your heart, or deadly sin,<br />
Whe<strong>the</strong>r you have treasures, or possess nought,<br />
In this Festive Season please turn your face<br />
Towards a stranger and hold out your hand,<br />
Offer him, or her a friendly embrace<br />
And try to make him, or her understand,<br />
That we are all of <strong>the</strong> same family.<br />
by Peter J. Oszmann<br />
Our shareholders continue to believe in our future. By <strong>the</strong> end of this<br />
financial year we’ll have spent about R180 million on new equipment<br />
and improvements to better position <strong>the</strong> company in a fast-changing<br />
world. Much of <strong>the</strong> new kit will have been installed and be operational<br />
by <strong>the</strong> time you get this newsletter, and I’m confident that it’s going to<br />
make a fundamental difference to how our business is able to compete<br />
in an extremely aggressive marketplace. The product innovations<br />
introduced at once-beleaguered East Rand Plastics (see page 11) are<br />
a good example of how we’ll be able to differentiate ourselves from<br />
<strong>the</strong> merchants of commodity products where <strong>the</strong>ir only differentiating<br />
factor is price. We want to add value <strong>for</strong> our clients.<br />
I’m really encouraged to read about Patrick Lushaba and his personal<br />
quest to become a qualified fitter and turner. That is what this<br />
company and this country needs if we’re going to compete headon<br />
with international players like China. Dedication, commitment,<br />
hard work and a desire to improve our academic capabilities are <strong>the</strong><br />
cornerstones of what will make us successful as individuals and as a<br />
country.<br />
So, going into <strong>the</strong> holidays, I believe we should be quietly confident<br />
about <strong>the</strong> year ahead. Yes, consumers are still going to be under<br />
financial pressure and, in turn, that means we’re going to experience<br />
similar challenges. But we’ve made improvements and are better<br />
positioned to deal with <strong>the</strong>m in a positive way.<br />
I wish you and your family all <strong>the</strong> very best over <strong>the</strong> holiday season.<br />
Take time to spend some quality time and enjoy each o<strong>the</strong>r and <strong>the</strong><br />
festivities. But drive safely. You’re all important to us. Good health <strong>for</strong><br />
2012.<br />
Regards<br />
ASTRAPAK NEWS 3