Let's build a better tomorrow together
From small beginnings, Corobrik has evolved into the major South African manufacturer of masonry materials, pavers and concrete earth retaining systems. With its head office in Durban and 15 factories around South Africa, Corobrik is geared to distribute in excess of five million products each day, and has a footprint in every major centre throughout South Africa.
Planning for a Sustainable Future
Corobrik has a holistic plan, focusing on the three pillars of sustainability - economic, environmental and social, and the integrity of the Corobrik brand is sacrosanct. In a challenging construction environment characterised by low levels of investment in new buildings, Corobrik has advanced its position in the different market segments where Corobrik competes, outperforming its peers and listed companies in the building industry. This solid performance is underpinned by a consuming focus to do the basics really well, clear operational strategies and successful implementation of associated action plans to continually enhance the competitiveness of the business.
The company has not only retained market share in its traditional markets but has also gained share with new products in market segments and territories in which the company has not previously actively competed.
Environmental Sustainability
Corobrik has made continuous progress in the ‘greening’ of the business, incrementally lowering the carbon footprint and improving eco-systems around Corobrik operations. Five factories in Gauteng and three factories in KZN have ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification. Ongoing product development offers customers enhanced product quality and products in line with changing design trends. Product development continues to take advantage of the new extrusion technology at all Corobrik operations to advance energy reductions, a lower carbon footprint, and drive the economy of Corobrik’s masonry products in application.
All quarrying and manufacturing operations comply with an approved Environmental Management Plan, which provides for the rehabilitation and the reuse of quarries and factory sites, which will, in the future, be transformed into nature reserves around pollution free dams, recreational areas, farm land or land for commercial and residential by the construction developments.
More effective use of energy and wider use of cleaner burning fuels to drive reductions in Corobrik’s carbon footprint is a key operational objective. Corobrik has two registered Clean Development Mechanism projects with the UNFCCC, and currently six factories are fired on natural gas. Corobrik has the distinction of being the first company in Sub-Saharan Africa to be awarded ‘Certified Emissions Reductions’ (CERs) by the UNFCCC.
Social Sustainability
Corobrik is committed to promoting the economic upliftment of its employees and empowerment of disadvantaged communities and individuals. Much progress is being made through the following interventions:
All Corobrik employees are shareholders in the business through the Staff Trust in-which 26% of the company’s share capital resides. Dividends have been paid consistently for the past five years this helping foster a sense of common cause for the wellbeing and continued solid performance of the company, this contributing to a stable employment environment.
Local Economic Development (LED) projects are ongoing at all operations, promoting empowerment, contributing to social upliftment and making a meaningful contribution to the economy of the country. The initiatives range from strawberry farming to project management and training of unemployed persons on school upgrade projects. The Corobrik Building Training Centres focus on equipping unskilled people with building and brick-laying skills such that they can be gainfully employed. Corobrik operates schools in Cape Town, Durban and Lawley that are accredited by the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA).
Corobrik has a long-running bursary scheme for the children of Corobrik employees to study at tertiary institutions. Currently 39 students are studying with these bursaries. The company also awards nine bursaries each year, to Grade 12 students from communities close to Corobrik operations, to pursue university degrees.
The sponsorship of the Regional and National Architectural Student of the Year Award Programme, now in its 30th year, involves eight major universities throughout South Africa. The programme recognises the best emerging architectural talent, challenging them to make a meaningful contribution to the future sustainability of South Africa’s built and natural environments.
Corobrik sponsors product and people to help build ‘sustainable’ projects in disadvantaged communities ranging from housing for the unemployed, to new school facilities, community facility upgrade projects, hospital upgrades to service the vulnerable and facilities for the mentally impaired.
The donation policy focuses mainly on the donation of building materials that Corobrik manufactures, to supporting projects within previously disadvantaged communities in and around Corobrik’s operations, as well as financial contributions to charities supporting the needy.
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