Exacting standards

Operating an agricultural firm in an emerging economy, to meet the expectations of customers in developed economies, can be a tough juggling act—but one at which Sundays River Citrus Company is excelling, as Andrew Pelis finds out.

Rivers running through it
Control of costs, continuous operational innovation and a clear development strategy have enabled Rockwell Diamonds to survive the downturn and move forward into the upturn, as Ruari McCallion learned from CEO John Bristow.
Diamonds may be a girlÔÇÖs best friend but neither recipients nor producers would have found the 50 per cent decline in prices during late 2008 / early 2009 particularly amicable. A number of companies fell by the wayside, unable to survive the hit to their revenues.

Lifestyle of a nation
With many years of retail experience between them, Wayne Duncan and Craig MacKenzie established Retsol when they had the opportunity to create an ice cream retail business in partnership with the biggest household name of them all. Wayne Duncan spelled out their vision to John OÔÇÖHanlon.

Passing on the torchMugg & Bean, the iconic South African coffee shop brand, finds itself in the hands of new owners. Julia Smith reports.
The success of Mugg & Bean has turned the name of its founder, Ben Filmalter, into something of a legend within the food service industry. Since the inauguration of the brandÔÇÖs first coffee shop on the waterfront in Cape Town in 1996, he has demonstrated an unswerving genius for recognising exactly what consumers want and will pay for.

Towers and tunnels
Superlatives soon run out when you try to describe the development that is going on in Dubai, where every building or development seems to set a record. Middle East Foundations Group is the company that prevents these remarkable buildings from sinking into the sand and its acting managing director Jose Thomas explained how to John OÔÇÖHanlon.

A sporting chanceTiming is critical in businessÔÇöand perfect timing has been an essential component in The Laser GroupÔÇÖs success, particularly as the logistics firm vows to exceed customer expectations. Andrew Pelis talks to chief executive Philip Hayes.With its headquarters in Cape Town, The Laser Group has been around since 1971, having initially started out as a household removals business.

Moving up the chain

Dr. Theunis Prinsloo, managing director of Kanhym Estates, talked to Jayne Flannery about the transformation of a traditional agricultural business in the new South Africa.

A recipe for success
The South African arm of General Mills has a reputation for quality among its six million customersÔÇöa figure which looks set to keep on growing. Andrew Pelis talked to managing director Craig Leathwhite about the companyÔÇÖs success and its future expansion plans.
Globalisation has been the buzz word in business for a number of years now. However, when the product being distributed is food, issues of culture and taste vary greatly from country to country, providing a real challenge.

Fast-tracking success
A shining monument to quality, ambition and industry, DubaiÔÇöthe city built from the desertÔÇöhas risen at an incredible rate and is testament to the graft of companies like Emirates Falcon Electromechanical Co. (EFECO), as Andrew Pelis finds out.

Image is everything
When major events and the worldÔÇÖs leading corporations want millions of people to see their visual messages, they choose Barco for their image solutions. Martin Ashcroft reports.