Page 14 - KZN Business Sense Nkosenhle Hlophe eBook 9.5

GETTING THE RESULTS THAT ARE REQUIRED

remi Subramany is the However, 50% of the company’s
owner and managing women employees are in
Pdirector of Chemsol (SA) management roles. “We have
Adhesives Pty Ltd, which is empowered our younger women,
based in Durban. The company who we have brought in as young
manufactures chemicals and graduates, to take on senior
specialist adhesives used for paper roles and to become involved in
and packaging. The company’s decision making processes within
focus and strengths are specialised the business as well.”
waterborne adhesives for paper
and packaging. Reflecting on the impacts
that she has made in her field,
Premi started off her career as Premi says that she uses both
an accountant and she has worked her business environment and
for many corporate companies her family environment to
over the years. After qualifying, empower the people around
she moved on to a manufacturing her. “I ensure and give them
business where she played the confidence to believe in me that
role of management accountant. I can lead my team members.
Thereafter, she moved on to a That’s what gives us excellent
corporate company where she results in the business, and I see
was the financial director of the that right through my business.
business. I think that what I enjoy most
in my business is my staff, and
In 2005, said Premi, “I decided my family around me. My staff
it was time to move on my own. and my family members work
Let me try and take on the risks of
owning my own business.” together as a team, which gives
me much satisfaction.”
Chemsol Adhesives cc was
sold to her, and she commented Never Give Up
that she had to take on the In advising younger people,
company and grow it to another Premi says that her advice
level. Premi explained, “It was is to never give up. She
incredibly challenging, but Premi Subramany is the owner and managing director of Chemsol (South African) Adhesives explains, “Work can be very
I made it work. We started challenging, and it can also be
off making solvent adhesives very uncomfortable in different
for the footwear industry. In challenge. I think achieving customer really needs and that’s need to go green, and we need environments. But again, it’s
what they will sign off at the end
that and knowing how their
to be sustainable. However,
2013, South African Adhesives machinery would work with my of the day.” there’s a lot of training and how you will allow yourself to
was founded, and thereafter, product was very satisfying.” development happening accept rejection. I think that’s
we started manufacturing In addition, says Premi the important. If you’re rejected, do
waterborne adhesives. The manufacturing sector new developments within the currently. There is a focus on not give up, just continue. Just
is also a male dominated changing environment and the youth in our business to see how you could improve on
Know Your Product environment and particularly ‘going bio and green’ is making get them to enjoy what we are rejection, and it happens almost
doing. We have lots of technical
Reflecting on the numerous challenging for women. “Just manufacturing chemical products expertise in the business and all the time. You will be rejected,
challenges in the manufacturing getting them to believe in me, more exciting nowadays. “Lots of we’re trying to pass that on to guaranteed, but it’s what you do.
environment, Premi said that that yes, the product can work avenues have been opened up for our graduates. My goal is to Just take it as a challenge, go sit
she thinks firstly knowing your and make their job easier was a me in supplying biodegradable ensure they are trained, that down, think about it, and see
product before you go out to good achievement. At the end products, biodegradable they know what’s happening how you can better it and never
market the product is essential. of the day, they have to achieve adhesives, and biodegradable and they understand what they give up.”
results and ensure that there is HDP polymers for our plastic
“I was highly successful in less downtime and that their end division – which are our go- are doing.” In order to have time out,
getting to know my product. The products are excellent.” getters at the moment. We’re Premi explains that she shuts off
challenge was getting out there looking forward to providing Gender Equality at 6:00 every day when she goes
and meeting people on the floor However, says Premi, “I am our customers green products While Premi is conscious of the home. In addition, her focus on
to introduce my product and passionate about what I do, I to ensure that the environment need to empower women in the the weekends is for herself and
getting them to understand what think my customers motivate me is safe. We’ve got to ensure we workplace, she has a 50/50 split her family who are extremely
I actually do. And if I say falling more when they come with a new sustain both the environment and of male and female employees. important to her. “So,” she says,
in love with the product that I development and I take on the our business.” She explained that it is important “the weekends are for me. I love
could supply.” product and ensure that I achieve to keep gender equality going my cooking, I love my naps, I
the required result with my team between males and females as read, and I enjoy documentaries.
“In addition, I needed to work and their technical expertise. Future Goals
with ground staff, getting them There is much satisfaction when While Premi has several this adds value to the business So that’s how I relax.” 
and is enabling. “The interlink is
to know the product, how it the product works. There are projects on hand at the moment, important because the ideas that
performs, and its ability to many trials of the product, and she also has future goals. W: www.saadhesives.co.za
give them their results that are there are many steps in ensuring “Looking at my business as a are discussed between a male
and female achieve the results
required and that was a great that the product is what the whole, we need customers, we required,” Premi explained.

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