Showcase of Innovations for MBA

PRESS RELEASE Thursday, 21 May 2009

Release: Immediate

The KwaZulu Natal Master Builders and Allied Industries Association is adding a significant number of dynamic new offerings to its industry related products and services. Coupled with this, a fresh corporate identity and website have been launched that give voice to the Association's evolving business approach.

"The promotion of our members is the single most important service that the Association has to offer," says Gavin Strydom, President of the MBA. "To achieve this we have created an expanded product and service offering that we believe adds even more value for our members, the public and other stakeholders than ever before."

Key to these new services is the Association's Best Practice Model, which seeks to build member categories that are linked to the enterprise's level of competency.

"Over the next few months, we will be rolling-out our Best Practice Model that ensures that the Members we promote are legally compliant, adhere to safety legislation and best practice, perform work to the best standards possible and conduct their businesses efficiently, fairly and ethically," Strydom explains.

Using this Best Practice Model, the public will finally have access to builders that they know are quality assured. Strydom comments: "By linking Member categories to the right competencies and attitudes, we can ensure that the Association's new corporate identity becomes a mark of quality that delivers peace of mind for clients and the public."

By optimising its Member categories, the Association will also be able to offer targeted training. While those Members who are still building the capacity to meet the category standards, will have access to all of the Association's services, Master Builders will also be offering a contractor development training programme to assist newcomers and those seeking to upgrade their contracting skills. In this regard, the Association's newly launched training division will prove to be a vital service that will ensure better standards and greater quality of service.

"Through our dedicated training division we have already launched three special projects directly assisting members with skills development needs. We are planning to expand this activity as the skills shortage remains a serious concern in this industry," Strydom says.

While these initiatives are well underway, the Association will also be working on a number of other initiatives aimed at facilitating greater access to information for its Members and the public. According to Brandon Abdinor, Executive Director of the Association, a key component in this regard will be the development of the "Find-A-Builder" - a website listing that will assist the public in locating contractors and/or suppliers ideally suited to their needs and specific to their geographical areas.

"Through Find-A-Builder and a host of other services available on-line, the new website is aimed at being a source of information and guidance to both Members and the public, as well as creating an online community to facilitate knowledge exchange," says Abdinor.

"Coupled with our new corporate identity, this forms the spearhead of a vigorous marketing campaign that is aimed at improving the image of the construction and building industry by promoting excellence in construction," he adds.

The decision to modernise the branding of the Association arose as it was believed that while the existing logo was well known in industry circles, it meant very little to the general public and external industry stakeholders. A new, strong identity was needed in order to expand Master Builders reach and footprint.

"The new corporate identity will help us fulfil our vision to promote, educate and empower Members, to create greater awareness and use of the products and services we offer, to increase our Membership base while also allowing for greater leverage in negotiations with other stakeholders," Abdinor explains.

The new corporate identity was unveiled at a function at the Association's head office in Westville. This was followed by the 108th Annual General Meeting.

ends

Issued by: There Be Dragons
On behalf of: KwaZulu Natal Master Builders & Allied Industries Association

For further information please contact:
Gavin Strydom Cell: 082 563 0028
Brandon Abdinor Tel: 031 266 7070
Carole Johnstone Cell: 083 229 8374