Siemens Components markets semiconductors, chipcards, multimedia devices, passive components, and wireless, as well as Bluetooth products to the southern African market. The division takes pride in being the only manufacturer supplying its own product into this market, working closely with partners and principals as a solutions provider in their chosen areas of focus.
Highly skilled local engineers enable Siemens Components to provide the required first line support needed by its customers. As part of the global Siemens organisation, the Components division says it also has access to the latest in cutting-edge technology, research and development laboratories, as well as application engineering assistance when required. In the wireless modules business alone, the division says it can draw on the expertise of 150 R&D application engineers that are based in Munich and Berlin.
Known for its excellence in human resources locally and internationally, and a well-developed logistics infrastructure, the Components division can share 'global best practice' in processes and knowledge, and pool its strengths to capitalise on synergies with sister companies in other countries. Systems are so advanced that production schedules at the various global manufacturing facilities can be viewed online, with all orders transmitted and confirmed electronically. A highly skilled team provides extensive training locally and abroad on the various disciplines required for the division to provide solutions to its customers.
The group says that drawing on diversity as a source of strength helps in broadening its perspective. Partnerships are thus entered into with selected solutions-providers to offer integrated solutions to the market place. Also, partnerships are developed with customers to assist, wherever possible, in adding value to business processes, while the division's extensive contracts are used to solicit business and solutions on the customer's behalf.
The Components division's international principals - technology leaders themselves - are also global market leaders with a sizeable market share in specific product groups. Thus, they also tend to be first to market with new technologies or solutions.
Black empowerment
Together with a commitment to technological excellence is a genuine desire to empower, Siemens has made many positive and constructive steps towards black economic empowerment over the years. Empowerment group Sekunjalo owns 13% of Siemens Southern Africa, and Africom holds a further 13% of the shares in a mutually beneficial partnership.
With nearly 1400 local suppliers representing over R1,2 bn in purchases, one of the major responsibilities adopted by Siemens is to ensure that the majority of the company's suppliers originate from historically disadvantaged backgrounds. Last year, black economic empowerment suppliers accounted for 41,2% of those purchases. Siemens says that this figure is intended to escalate to 50% by the end of the 2003 financial year, to 55% in 2004 and 60% in 2005.
Social responsibility
Siemens' corporate social responsibility programmes in South Africa are diverse, with a strong emphasis on practical assistance and encouraging self-sufficiency through training and development. Sustainable business success and good corporate citizenship are inextricably linked at Siemens. The company is keenly aware of its responsibility toward its employees, and so promotes diversity within its workforce. Affirmative action programmes are well-entrenched, gender equality continues to feature strongly, and vocational training, continuing education, development, safety and the health of employees are all regarded as high priorities.
The company is an active contributor to initiatives, such as the Business Trust and Business Against Crime, and donates laboratory equipment, computers and library books to disadvantaged schools that are located mostly in rural areas. Other Siemens community projects include supporting the Save Steam for HIV/AIDS infected children, as well as orphanages and old-age homes. Another key project is the Youthspace initiative, a programme that provides shelter, education and care for street children. In the field of Arts and Culture, the company has supported, amongst others, the Buskaid Soweto String project as well as an exhibition by acclaimed photographer Peter Magubane in South Africa and Germany.
Information from Siemens Components. For more information contact 011 652 2000.
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