The Ladysmith Chamber is very proud to be associated with Durban Overall, and is celebrating their achievements.

From a 12 staff CMT operation in 1991, Durban Overall has grown to now being a group of five companies, employing approximately 1500 individuals. The group supplies a massive output to a vast number of customers and industries including the mining, hospitality, security, motor and chef wear industry as well as national entities such as the SA Navy, SA National Defence Force and Eskom.

Recently, Durban Overall has successfully registered as a training provider for the FP&M SETA. The company has managed to upskill and multi skill its workforce allowing employees to have accredited national qualifications. Therefore, they are moving toward and embracing a lean manufacturing value chain, which enables the company to operate on a world class scale. All training has proven itself, as the company has been recognised by the Department of Higher Education for training and placement of unemployed and disabled individuals.

Apart from receiving awards from the Department of Higher Education, Durban Overall has also won numerous best practice and manufacturing awards. The most recent being the 2015 business of the year award within the Emnambithi Municipality. Durban Overall is also an SABS and ISO 9001:2008 accredited workplace. In terms of social development, Durban Overall assists a number of cooperatives and SMEs. Through eThembeni (Place of Hope) support is provided to over 30 rural crèches and HIV/AIDS infected orphans. Furthermore, Durban Overall has a long standing relationship with the iKanyezi School for disabled children. They have established a training centre based at the school, therefore providing training to educators and students. As a result, employable disabled graduates are then offered permanent employment within Durban Overall.

The current social development initiatives assist and empower female owned cooperative companies such as Sizahukumeni Trading and projects, who have also gone on to win a recognition award from the Emnambithi Municipality. All is possible though a strong workforce, which is the reason why the company has an onsite clinic to treat ill employees and to manage and control the dispersion of chronic medication. Durban Overall also has visits from the SACTWU and provincial hospital mobile clinic that further assist in maintaining a healthy and happy workforce. Durban Overall still maintains the slogan that “Happy Customers Pay Our Wages” but has also embraced a new vision of “Bambanani”- working together.

The new vision is its driving force and will continue to motivate employees to be a strong and successful workforce working toward being a world class lean manufacturer producing high quality world class garments. The Ladysmith Chamber wishes Durban Overall great success in their future endeavours and looks forward to a continued relationship.

The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce
Tel: +27 36 631 0541