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ABOUT US
Ethos
As we move towards a new chapter in our already successful history, Freeworld Coatings will build on a unique approach to business, creating an operating ethos that might well set us apart from many other companies in the chemical sector.
We are driven by a value based management philosophy and our vision is to be a world class commercially sensible and socially responsible coatings multinational present in selected geographies with superior growth. For this reason, we have committed to reflect our custodianship of the earth and its resources in an environmentally responsible manner and to play, within our means, a progressive role in the conduct of our business operations.
Our commitment to ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards serves as an indication in this regard. Following a systems approach, strategies are being formulated to arrive at a “greenhouse neutral” environmental policy that will reduce the environmental balance sheet. Our aim is to develop and implement a measurable environmental policy that will reduce the impact on the environment both upstream and downstream of Freeworld Coatings' supply chain, working with both suppliers and customers to also reduce their carbon footprint.
Freeworld Coatings Group owes its existence to a time when industrialisation commenced in South Africa with the discovery of gold. The freeing of the society's prospects to move beyond an agrarian existence also dates to this era.
While this resulted in significant economic growth and development, it was accompanied by a society organised in a manner that unfortunately also produced misery and lost opportunity for the majority of its inhabitants.
South African society acknowledged, with its move to a non-racial democratic order in 1994, that a beneficial relationship can exist between economic growth and human progress. We are determined to play a role in this regard.
Freeworld Coatings is committed to function in harmony with the boni mores of a nonracial democratic society. We believe business can be conducted successfully in a manner that contributes to the development goals of both South Africa and within those societies with developing economies within which we will operate.
In two recent acquisitions in the formal regulatory approval process, as part of the business model, plans were laid out for addressing large scale, long-term skills and enterprise development.
Freeworld Coatings offers products and solutions that not only protect and create attractive décor for a better living environment, but which can add considerably more economic value than their product cost. We will continue with extensive R&D, to maximise this relationship.
Manufacturing excellence
All Plascon, ICC and automotive production facilities in South Africa hold ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification. In addition, ICC also holds OHSAS 18001 certification. Plascon in South Africa is awaiting its OHSAS 18001 certification for one remaining manufacturing facility before end 2007, while Automotive is targeting its accreditation by 2010. All other production facilities are targeting achievement of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification by September 2010 as part of their individual strategic objectives.
Advanced technology
Our objective to deliver world-class quality is matched by our use of cutting edge technology. We have successfully developed and patented vesiculated bead technology, which reduces the quantity of white pigment (titanium oxide) required in the production process of certain paint brands. This unique process recently gained recognition with the coveted “DTI Award for Innovation in Large Companies” accolade.
Freeworld Coatings recently acquired unique technology for the manufacture of wet cement-based paints. In addition, we are currently assessing a unique pre-paint based delivery system that maximises the efficiencies of colourant usage and can reduce the traditional costs associated with manufacture of a full paint product line. This technology also promises to reduce inventory-holding costs.