Assore Limited, SA's top company for 2011

Mining holding company Assore Limited was announced as South Africa's top company at the Sunday Times Business Times Top 100 Companies Awards banquet in Sandton on 26 October 2011. Assore Limited was awarded 2011's top honours as it had achieved the best growth in shareholder returns over a five-year period, ending in September this year.

Whitey Basson, CEO of Shoprite Holdings, was announced as the Business Leader of the Year while Brian Joffe, CEO of Bidvest was presented with the 2011 Lifetime Achiever Award. Impala Platinum was handed the 2011 Sunday Times Corporate Social Investment Leadership Award.

"I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of Assore Limited and all its employees," said Chris Cory, CEO of Assore. "I think that the key to the company's success is the focus that family control brings to the business and the Sacco family has successfully kept the business intact for the last 70 years. Being honoured as the top company in South Africa is a corporate milestone that we've wanted to achieve for a very long time."

A special mention was made about South Africa's Royal Companies - these have been placed in the Top 20 company list for three consecutive years. The Royal Companies included Assore, Capitec Bank, Kumba Iron Ore, Howden Africa, Shoprite Holdings and Pinnacle Technology.