Page 43 - KZN Leaders Portfolio E-BOOK 2107

Dirk Meyer, Managing Director of Corobrik “His immense knowledge and support have been
invaluable,” Meyer points out.
n South Africa, we have unique opportunities and
it is up to each of us to look deep and maximise Now at the helm of the company, Meyer says he
them. In the current economy, it is easy to works hard to ensure that he knows precisely what
I become despondent, but I believe it is up to each is happening in the marketplace as well as within
one of us to look at the positive opportunities. Here the company.
at Corobrik we are confident that we will grow from
strength to strength,” says Dirk Meyer, managing “I constantly talk to our people about what is
director of Corobrik. happening within the company. This is very valuable
for a manager who is committed to giving a business
A natural leader and team player, Meyer has come direction and then playing the role of facilitator to
up against plenty of challenges during the 33 years enable the various functional departments to reach
that he has been with South Africa’s leading clay their goals,” he points out.
brick producer. However, his clear focus and
absolute determination and persistence have brought Meyer says that it is a particularly exciting time to be
him through. managing director of Corobrik.

“I guess that I face challenges every day. That is what The company is currently in “an investment phase”
senior executive life is about. Solving them without and is upgrading facilities to keep it at the cutting edge
losing focus on the long term growth of the business of global technology. “It is our objective to provide
leads to sustained success. As my management team the South African building industry and the consumer
will tell you, there are constant setbacks in any plan. with the most sustainable building solutions. Over
It is then that one needs to regroup, refocus and the next five years, we have an ongoing capitalisation
continue,” he says. programme for our factories which, together with
key acquisitions, will ensure exciting growth in the
Meyer joined Corobrik as a management trainee
in 1984, having completed a Diploma in Heavy business.”
Clay Technology at the now Durban University of He is also confident that Corobrik is closely aligned
Technology. He went on to study through Unisa. with important trends within its market place that will
play an important role in its success.
The first of many career highlights was being
awarded his Master of Business Leadership degree. “The fact that our product is inherently sustainable
Others were being appointed operations director and, and durable for thousands of years has created an
finally, managing director of Corobrik. opportunity for us at a time when people are reverting
Looking back, he says a number of key people played to the real things. People are now faced with coping
a huge role in the development of his career. with the damage consumerism has inflicted on the
planet. If one has a sustainable offering like Corobrik,
“During the first ten years of my career, I travelled you end up contributing to the future of the planet,”
around extensively – moving through different he says.
functions within the company. I worked in KwaZulu-
Natal, the Western Cape and Gauteng. During this However, it is not numbers but shaping careers
period, I was privileged to have had many mentors within the organisation he has served that is most
who have guided and influenced me along my career rewarding for Meyer.
path,” he remembers. “One of my greatest roles is to prepare successors
One that readily comes to mind is Chris Dickenson for senior management. We are grooming and
who was Corobrik’s marketing director when Meyer preparing young people who in due course will
worked within the marketing department in Edenvale succeed us,” he says.
during the late 1980’s. When Meyer was promoted to When he is not at the boardroom table or behind
managing director, Chris continued as his wing man in his desk, Meyer also makes time to relax and keep fit.
the position of sales director. He enjoys cycling, both on and off-road. He is also
Another big influence was Peter du Trevou, past interested in recreational aviation and, over weekends,
managing director and present chairman of Corobrik. enjoys camping and boating with his family.

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