Yellow beacons of what Zululand can offer the world

IN recent months the Zululand Observer has invited several advertising customers on a tour of the newspaper and printing works to better understand processes and deadlines.

Earlier this month the ZO was invited to a reciprocal visit at Bell Equipment to see how the local manufacturer has grown and diversified.

Founded in 1954 by hard-working individuals with a passion for their chosen work, Bell has since been an integral part of the community.

The pride Bell employees have in their work and finished products is palpable as one walks through the facility.

Unbeknown to many, Bell articulated dump trucks, tractors and tri-wheelers are designed and manufactured from scratch right here in Richards Bay and delivered to the world.

From cutting and bending the raw steel plates, to machining axles and cylinders, and finally to painting and assembling the final product – it is all done at Bell’s Bay premises.

Perhaps owing to Irvine Bell’s humble nature and motto of getting the job done without any fuss or fanfare, Bell is modest about its achievements and many are not aware of the gem that we have on our doorstep.

Yet each machine that rolls out of the Richards Bay factory is a bright yellow beacon of what the company can offer the country and the world.

Owing to its growth and the positive impact it has had on the local economy over the decades through its manufacturing efforts, Bell is a home-grown success story.

Apart from the direct employment that Bell provides locally, there are almost 200 local companies that supply goods and services.

Interestingly, there are about 1 000 companies countrywide that support Bell and benefit from what they do.

More than half of these are from KZN.

The effect of local manufacturing on job creation cannot be underestimated.

For every Bell employee, an additional eight to 10 jobs are created in South Africa throughout the company’s supply chain.

Supporting local manufacturers has a massive knock-on effect on job creation.

Apart from creating jobs, Bell trains its employees to ensure that, whether a welder, assembler, boilermaker, machinist or a millwright within the factory, or whether they are earth moving mechanics supporting machines in the field, employees are able to equip themselves professionally and deliver a quality service.

Bell also supports social economic development through its keen responsibility towards its employees and the wider community.

Here the company’s long-standing involvement with Amangwe Village and the Zululand Chamber of Business Foundation spring to mind, as well as its willingness several years ago to sponsor Thanda Royal Zulu Football Club and bring a National First Division team to the city.

Bell is an important contributor to the local and national economies, and it would surely be in the best interests of economic growth and supporting local manufacturers that a policy is introduced to encourage customers to also consider the job creation credentials, and not just BBBEE scores of a company, when deciding to spend their hard-earned Rands.