The survey was conducted from October 2013 to January 2014 using a random national sample of 120 representatives from construction companies and building materials retailers. They rated the brick suppliers in 11 categories ranging from the ability to meet orders, flexibility and competitive pricing to the quality and variety of products on offer.
Respondents were also asked whether promised delivery times were met, how the companies responded to queries and about their perception of the firms' brand and integrity as well as their BEE and corporate social investment practices.
Corobrik's commercial director, Musa Shangase, said that the company was proud to have received the highest rating of 4.17 out of a possible 5.00 and that striving to be the best brick supplier in the country was an ongoing objective. The company, with a workforce of over two thousand people, has the largest distribution network in the country and distributes more than five million bricks to different sites across South Africa every year.
"We pride ourselves on our logistic capabilities to consistently get the right products to the right places at the right times," Shangase said. "Another survey category which contributed to our success was environment-friendly solutions. Green production and sustainability are an integral part of Corobrik's culture. We believe that this involves the total environmental impact of a product, from manufacture to use, maintenance and ultimate reuse or recycling."
"We invest in ongoing research with the aim of minimising the environmental impact of our products and the energy usage in the buildings where they are used. Virtually all the manufacturing stages and processes for producing our clay bricks conform to stringent local and international codes. Five of our 15 factories have attained SANS 14001 Environmental Management System accreditation, with a further two expected this year and the roll-out will continue until all our operations have reached this goal."
"From a quality point of view, eight Corobrik factories have been awarded ISO 9001 quality management systems certification last year and we expect to increase that number to 13 this year, with the balance reaching this standard in early 2015," Shangase said.
"Looking to the future, capital has been committed to several projects to upgrade facilities and drive efficiencies, whilst being keenly aware of the investment that our employees have in the business and of our place in the external socio-economic environment."
