South African Cold Store Award

Support for the Tony Lewis Award – At the closing date for the Tony Lewis Award three entries had been received. The award recognizes excellence in the cold storage industry in South Africa and the winner will be announced early in 2017 to allow for travel arrangements to the IARW conference in the USA in April 2017. The entries received are profiled as:   MACLEN CAYWOOD (age 34): employed as Warehouse Controller at CCS Logistics Midrand since 2015. Maclen started his career at CCS Logistics as a General Worker in 2003 and was later promoted to Operations Clerk from 2004 until 2013. From 2013 to 2015 he held the position of Supervisor.         FRANCOIS SMITH (age 35): is the Logistics Manager at Sequence Logistics in Hammarsdale. Francois started his Cold Store career in August 2006 as an Assistant Floor supervisor at Sequence Logistics and was offered a permanent position as Floor Supervisor after his first month. He relocated to Durban with the development of the KZN branch. In October 2011 he was promoted to Operations Manager and promoted in December 2015 to his current position.         BEHAN VAN NIEKERK (age 27): started his career as a cashier in a butchery in Windhoek whilst still in school. He then worked as an auditing clerk and in 2011 joined the Deep Catch Group of Companies as a systems and management accountant. He was transferred to Prosperita Commercial Cold Store in 2012 to initially attend to all accounting aspects. He became more involved in the operational side of the business and his present position is that of Financial Manager of the Cold Store Group & Property portfolio.   Three independent and retired industry leaders have been selected to judge the entries and interview the finalists. Personal interviews with the finalists will be the final stage of the selection process and the winner will be announced shortly afterwards.   The Southern African Refrigerated Distribution Association (SARDA) extend sincere thanks for the strong support of the employers and wish the entrants well as they battle for the top position.