Page 35 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2025 V1-EBOOK

BUILDING A BUSINESS WITH PURPOSE
In 2003, Kevin Naidoo took a bold step that would
shape an enduring legacy in South Africa’s industrial
and manufacturing landscape. What began in a modest
Chatsworth garage with just four employees has since
grown into a thriving enterprise. Today, the business
encompasses three distinct yet complementary
divisions, employs hundreds of people, and continues
to drive socio-economic development in KwaZulu-
Natal and beyond.
Tribute to the Beier Family
Drawing on extensive experience gained during his
career at the Beier Group and with the encouragement and experience to establish a manufacturing line
of his long-time mentor, the late Hans Beier, Chairman dedicated to disposable and material masks.
Emeritus of the Beier Group, Naidoo founded Arena
Trims. He credits Hans Beier not only for guiding Arena Working under the well-known Nikki brand for BBF
Trims’ early success but also for instilling the highest Safety, Arena Protective supplied much-needed
ethical principles in every aspect of its operations. protection at a critical time for South Africa. Unlike many
Naidoo continues to value the support of Hans’ son, companies that shut down after the pandemic’s peak,
Arena Protective has continued to grow, building a loyal
Wolfgang Beier, for which he remains deeply grateful.
clientele and expanding into a sustainable enterprise.
Growth Rooted in Expertise and Vision Empowering Communities
Arena Trims was established to supply high-quality
footwear components for the safety, industrial, and The impact of Arena’s businesses extends far beyond
fashion footwear sectors. Its success rests on an manufacturing. From the outset, Naidoo has been
unwavering commitment to quality and innovation, dedicated to uplifting communities and building
supported by ISO 9001 and 13485 accreditations, sustainable livelihoods. Today, through Arena Trims,
as well as its standing as a B-BBEE Level 1 company. Arena Footwear, Arena Protective, and associated
By delivering reliable products that meet stringent co-operatives and SMEs, the group has created more
international standards, Arena Trims has earned its than 350 jobs.
place as a trusted partner to leading names in the Significantly, Arena has actively supported the
footwear industry. establishment of small businesses, many run by black
women, to assist with manufacturing outputs. These
Arena Footwear: Women-Owned Excellence enterprises not only contribute to Arena’s supply chain
In 2014, Arena Footwear (Pty) Ltd was established but also empower women to provide for their families
by Sharon Naidoo, wife of Kevin Naidoo, and stands and uplift communities, particularly widows and orphans.
proudly today as a 100 percent black woman-owned,
B-BBEE Level 1 company. Managed under Kevin A Future of Shared Growth
Naidoo’s leadership, Arena Footwear was created to Looking ahead, Arena continues to innovate in ways
provide CMT (Cut, Make and Trim) services to the BBF that align business growth with social impact. The
Safety Group, a leader in protective footwear. company is currently building eight mini factories on its
premises, with the aim of enabling workers to transition
The business focuses on sewing safety boot uppers into entrepreneurs.
for some of South Africa’s most recognised brands,
including Bova, Maverick, Sabaton, Lemaitre, Sisi, This initiative encapsulates Naidoo’s vision of fostering
Fram and Neoflex. With both manual and automated visionaries, people with the skills, resources, and
production lines, Arena Footwear has the capacity to confidence to become leaders in their own right. It
manufacture more than 2,500 pairs of safety footwear reflects a long-term strategy of empowering people not
per day, contributing to the protection of workers across just to work within Arena, but to grow beyond it.
multiple industries.
Recognition Through Impact
Arena Protective: Rising to the Challenge Arena Trims was the recipient of a KZN Top Business
The global outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020 presented Award in 2025. However, Naidoo insists that true success
extraordinary challenges. It also became the catalyst for lies in making a tangible difference. “It is not the titles
the creation of Arena Protective (Pty) Ltd. Responding and recognition that matter,” he reflects, “but allowing
to the government’s call for local businesses to support every person, of every race, the opportunity to earn an
the production of PPE, Naidoo drew on his knowledge income and mentoring them to become leaders.”

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