Astral Foods Annual Report 2008

SUSTAINABILITY REPORTWe subscribe to the principles of sustainable development andare committed to the implementation of triple-bottom-linereportingBeing conscious of our social, environmental and economic responsibility to employees, the broader communityand future generations, we subscribe to the principles of sustainable development and are committed to theimplementation of triple-bottom-line reporting.ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENTHuman resources developmentThe training and development of employees in all key areas is an integral part of the internationally recognised20 Keys Workplace Improvement Programme referred to below. Each employee attends a number of trainingsessions in this regard. A learnership programme in supervision has been introduced at several workplaces.Much emphasis is placed on the development of technical skills, which includes training under our technicalagreements with Provimi Holding BV of Holland, a world leader in animal nutrition solutions.Some of the other training and development interventions that are focused on are:✦✦✦✦✦Information Technology skills;Supervisory skills;Sales;Quality systems; andProduction and processing skillsThe group is committed to the Skills Development Act. Our submission of skills development plans and ourimplementation against targets have ensured the maximum benefit in this regard. We have appointed30 apprentices (electricians, millwrights, fitters and turners) with assistance from the Sectoral Training Authorityfor Agriculture.We have a study loan policy providing employees with financial assistance to further their academic qualificationsin line with current and future job requirements.Attraction and retention of peopleWe continuously evaluate our recruitment processes to ensure that high calibre talent is employed, takingcognisance of leadership capabilities, identified competencies for positions and employment equity plans.Our approach is to attract the best people in the industry. In our employment process we also focus on theappointment of persons from the designated groups.Astral Foods Annual Report 2008Workplace improvement programmeOver the past year we have continued with our drive for excellence through the implementation of the 20 KeysTotal Workplace Improvement Programme, which aims to energise the workforce to work faster, cheaper andbetter. All employees at the various workplaces participate as teams to improve productivity and efficiencies.We can claim that we have made the best progress in South Africa with the implementation of these concepts.Meadow Feeds Pietermaritzburg has recently been awarded the International Excellence Award and together22