Thermaire has been committed for several years towards the development of emerging previously disadvantaged entrepreneurs and has devoted financial assistance, resources as well management guidance towards such development.
One such example was the provision of resources to an unemployed emerging entrepreneur to establish a catering business. The assistance included the donation of a motor vehicle, catering trailer and all required equipment as well as marketing material.
Various interventions were undertaken to either establish or develop black emerging contractors to carry out installation work on our behalf on a preferential basis such as the donation of a light delivery vehicle to an aspiring contractor. We further assisted an aspiring entrepreneur to enter the transport industry with the view to expanding his business interest.
2. Corporate Social Investments:Thermaire continuously donates funds to worthy charities in order to enhance the lives of less privileged individuals. Donations are regularly made to the following institutions:
- Girls and Boys Town
- Oliver’s House
- Various Feeding Schemes
- Hospice
- Educational Institutions
- Epilepsy SA
- Ethelbert Children’s Home
- Gift of the Givers
- Cansa
- Heaven’s Nest
- Vedanta Society
- SBSM School
- Vishnu Temple
Our donations towards Feeding Schemes to date has enabled the provision of 180,000 meals to homeless people.
3. Skills Development:Thermaire actively promotes the development of skills and knowledge within the airconditioning industry.
Several of our employees are currently studying towards a degree or diploma by means of a company bursary.
Three of our employees completed learnerships in our company over the last four years and now hold technical or supervisory positions. Some of our retired employees have been retained for the specific purpose of transferring their extensive experience and knowledge to younger employees. Employees are regularly sent on training courses in order to keep abreast of technological developments and/or to gain new skills / knowledge.
4. Employment Equity:Our company employs approximately 200 employees at any given time of which 69.5% are black. With the exception of our senior management black people represent at least 50% of all levels in our organization.
An on going employment equity process is in place wich is co-ordinated by a consultative forum representing our employees. Several young black engineers who trained at our company are now rendering their services to our clients within the industry.
5. Ownership:95% of Thermaire’s shares are held by black people. 13% of the total equity is held by a black female whilst our board of directors include a disabled black female in an non-executive capacity.
6. Preferential Procurement:We are continuously increasing our procurement from black suppliers through enterprise development initiatives by encouraging all our suppliers to increase their BBBEE ratings. Significant progress has been made in this regard over the last two years.
