A year-long endeavour to comply with Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment principles has resulted in admirable rewards for a Pietermaritzburg-based small business.
Office Automation company Itec Maritzburg now holds a Level Three BEE Contributor status (or AA status), having scored between 75% and 85% in an in-depth rating exercise by Empowerdex.
Principal Krish Naidoo, who established the business in a garage in 2001, told The Witness that they began the process by learning the ins and outs of BEE and how BEE would affect the business. "Some of the documentation required included tax documents, financial statements of the company, legal documents required by the government and an organogram."
He said: "Due to seeing a niche in all government departments and the commercial market, we wanted to get a share in this market." Itec Maritzburg excelled in several areas, including business integrity, staffing, skills development and service delivery.
"We suggest that all companies comply as we can see that all companies will want to deal with suppliers that are prepared to fall in line with BEE. BEE rating does create a certain trust and integrity."