Page 7 - KZN Business Sense 7.4

BUSINESS INNOVATION
THE ONE-STOP COMPANY FOR PERSONAL PROTECTION

PROUD WINNER FOR BUSINESS INNOVATION: 2021

STANDARD BANK KZN TOP BRAND needs, by providing space in our factory as a
Imperial Armour, an empowered, gesture of goodwill.
all-female company, is a recognized We pride ourselves on being the leading
award-winning manufacturer of personal manufacturer of personal protection
protection equipment in Kwazulu- equipment in South Africa, supplying both
Natal. We are proud to announce that nationally and internationally. Our focus L- R: Grant Adlam, Louisa Garland, managing director of Imperial Armour, and Imraan Noorbhai
we have won the Standard Bank Top is to save lives which we do by providing
Business Award 2021 for the category: high-quality products that are tested in USA usinesses entering and this year, celebrates unable to work due
Business Innovation. and ISO 9001:2015 accredited. We supply a in this category were 21 years in business. The to Covid-19 business
The Business Innovation award is given large range of bullet proof armour, anti-riot, Brequired to provide company’s experience, restrictions, Imperial
for “out-the-box” thinking by introducing tactical gear, demining and fire equipment evidence of an innovative excellent quality, and Armour continued to find
innovative, products and processes in light to the Military, Police and Security approach to products, continual innovations innovative work solutions
of the pandemic. Louisa Garland, Managing companies. or processes, which has has made it the leading to maintain workflow
Director of Imperial Armour, realised that The “Imperial Armour family” embraces contributed to the success manufacturer of personal and the continuity of
for her Company to survive, she needed change. At the start of 2021, a new
to make the proactive decision to acquire strategy which included the deployment of the business. Judges were protective equipment in the company during this
PPE stock, to aid the fight against Covid 19. of sales representatives in all major also interested to hear from KZN. difficult period. This
The company became an essential services regions of South Africa was implemented. businesses who have pivoted At Imperial Armour resulted in Imperial
their operations as a result
Armour becoming
organisation, using an innovative approach The responsibility to oversee this new of the Covid-19 pandemic. all staff are continually an essential services
by providing logistical support, meeting the venture was given to Sales Director, Emily involved in research, design
needs of emergency services worldwide. Driesen-Garland. Emily’s critical skills and innovation. This organisation in South
We also assisted an SMME enterprise in set, as well as her belief in the company’s The winner is: ongoing culture provides Africa.
ensuring continuity of their production ethos has led to her success. IMPERIAL ARMOUR in-house involvement in Commenting on Imperial
Throughout our 21 years of business, new products and sees Armour’s win Louisa
we have been proud of our numerous The finalists are: innovative ideas reaching Garland, managing
achievements and awards. We are extremely ■ Icebolethu Group the market. director said, “Winning
excited to accept this award as we continue
to strive for innovation in all that we do. We ■ Capitol Caterers In April 2020, in response this award has made us
would like to thank all our loyal customers ■ Mi7 National Group to the Covid-19 pandemic, feel overjoyed. We are
and suppliers for their support. We also (Pty) Ltd the management at extremely honoured to
thank Standard Bank KZN Top Business for Imperial Armour realised be recognised with our
Louisa Garland, Emily Driesen-Garland & Carey Fort the opportunity to enter this event. Imperial Armour that it was necessary to all-female company, the
Imperial Armour cc was think creatively. Whilst boost to morale at work
031 700 2650 (Local) | +27 83 788 3266 (International) | www.imperial-armour.com established in October 2000 the employees were is incredible.” 

ENTREPRENEUR RESILIENCE

his award is aimed of KwaZulu-Natal. Now to it and that dreams are The finalists are: (Crown Dental Studio) (Borderless Investment
at young business Majozi Bros Construction real,” says Ndlela. ■ Dr Fareed Amod ■ Njabulo Maphumulo Group Pty Ltd)
Tleaders who have builds houses in upmarket
shown exceptional estates like Cotswold
leadership and exhibited Downs and Zimbali and
entrepreneurial flair. is involved in multi-
million developments
The winners are: with construction giant
SIHLE NDLELA AND WBHO.
SIMPHIWE MAJOZI “Covid has taught the
importance of having a
Sihle Ndlela and business model that is
Simphiwe Majozi, the responsive to change.
co-founders of Majozi Our journey is proof that
Bros Construction, you can’t control what
started out renovating happens to you, but you
houses in the townships can control how you react

L-R: Grant Adlam, Sihle Ndlela and Imraan Noorbhai

www For more information visit www.kzntopbusiness.com 7