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LUBIN OZOUX

ubin Ozoux is the chief executive officer of employees, and all stakeholders. We focus on what “I often talk to the team and say when you go
Sumitomo Rubber South Africa. The company we can control and strive to get that right.” back home, will you be proud of what you’ve done
is well known for making Dunlop tyres that today? Have you done the maximum you can do?
Lare supplied to 47 countries in Africa. The Although Sumitomo Rubber initially drove a top- Have you behaved in line with our values or your
biggest country being South Africa, which also has down approach to culture, they are now seeing a values? If we’ve done that, every day, then we are
a manufacturing facility in uMnambithi (Ladysmith). bottom-up trend. This trend is apparent in the great on the right track,” explained Lubin.
initiatives been sustainably driven by employees
Originally from Reunion Island, a French island with at all levels who are demonstrate a willingness to BUILDING TRUST
a population of about 800 000 located in the Indian contribute positively in their roles. Lubin says that this
Ocean, east of Madagascar, Lubin moved to South culture is key to the company’s future. In terms of work, part of Sumitomo Rubber’s culture
Africa in the 90s. He commented, “My parents were a is to build and enhance trust with their employees.
big fan of South Africa, when the change happened PURSUES OPPORTUNITIES To enable that process all employees are encouraged
at the end of the apartheid area, they wanted us to be Lubin, as well as his brothers, have received much to share their life journeys with each other.
part of history.” He attended high school in Durban guidance from their father who always said, ‘It “Whenever I do that with any employees, you’re
and then university in Pietermaritzburg. doesn’t matter what you do. If you’re the best at what always amazed about the journey that people have

Lubin’s first official job, while studying at university, you do, you’re going to be very successful’. Aligned taken, some of the hardships that people have gone
was a barman at Scottsville Racecourse. During to this, Lubin constantly pursues opportunities and through,” says Lubin. “Helping them to go a step or
the completion of his postgraduate studies, he finds the means to engage in learning to improve two further is very inspiring, and South Africa has
lectured in the financial aspects of marketing at his skills and knowledge. really amazing people with much resilience.”
Varsity College. “I think that ethos really drives me personally, as well For the future, Sumitomo believes that there are vast
as how we drive our business. We encourage people opportunities in their industry. The company often
“That was a great experience, which was of real value
to me. I actually got the love of learning from that to always be a bit better. If every day you get a bit talks about where they are in their life cycle in relation
job because as a lecturer you have to not only know better, and it doesn’t matter what industry or what to the maturity of a teenager. Lubin commented
the material, but you have to understand it, so you position you’re in, you will be successful.” that they work very hard at having that teenager
can pass on the meaning and answer questions,” he In addition to his father, Lubin had a great mentor, mindset, which is about taking advantage of as many
shares. Bruno Beck, who ‘led from the front’ and was hugely opportunities as possible.
influential in his life. “It’s not about what he said, it’s “As a teenager, you also know you’re going to make
A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION
about what he did in terms of living a culture and its some mistakes. But the key is how quickly can you
As CEO of Sumitomo Rubber Lubin has now found his values. I’ve never experienced that anywhere else. learn to mature? In the next few years, it’s about
purpose in leading a company that fits with his own You just can’t help then to follow that lead and to how we use these opportunities to help us mature
get that energy. I strive to do as much as I can by and help us get stronger.”
‘why’ which is about consciousness, doing what is
leading from the front. I think action is larger than
right and making a positive contribution. Sumitomo Lubin’s motto is that as a leader, ‘you need to
words,” says Lubin.
Rubber is striving to create a future of joy and well- be vulnerable’.
being for all, wherein the employees can support each Over the last four- or five-years, South Africa and
other and contribute effectively to the company. KwaZulu-Natal have not been short of challenges. In conclusion he explained that they have three
Lubin explains that with every challenge comes an words that assist in driving Sumitomo Rubber on a
In creating the space to create that joy, Sumitomo daily basis which are, “intent, ambition and impact’.
Rubber strives to set up the structures, culture and opportunity and that these drive the company, as
environment to give people the means to perform there are many lessons to be learnt to make your In terms of intent, he says we need to learn from each
and maintain jobs in South Africa. business more robust and your team better. “That’s other and to understand each other. Ambition is
what we strive to do. Challenges are about mindset about not getting stuck in easy paths but to really be
Lubin explains further, “The company makes sure we and the willingness to turn them, as quickly as ambitious and to take risks. Impact is about everyday
don’t take the easiest routes, but we take the right possible, into opportunity, and to take the people actions. Are these making an impact and are they as a
route for the long-term success of the company, the on the journey with you.” company taking a step forward?
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