Page 3 - STANDARD BANK KZN TOP BUSINESS AWARDS Supplement-Mercury - eBook 2021

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

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www For more information visit www.kzntopbusiness.com