Coca-Cola Beverages SA (CCBSA) has held its Inaugural Supplier Development Conference in South Africa.

Over 100 handpicked, high-growth potential SMEs in attendance showcased and interacted with blue chip corporates across a variety of industries in a bid to become empowering suppliers.

The event marks a key milestone for CCBSA, and forms part of their commitment to a series of public interest conditions attached to the establishment of their merger, which commenced operations in July 2016.

Delegates at the conference received the opportunity for dialogue and trust building between a major buyer of goods and services and many suppliers and could engage on many issues that affect them, with the chance to position themselves to supply CCBSA and other major companies.

CCBSA’s Supplier Development Program focuses on improving the effectiveness of the diverse suppliers to meet the needs of the Coca-Cola Company and to create conditions for them to competitively seek contracts.

The program further aims to specifically promote black-owned small businesses and develop them as suppliers as well as develop entrepreneurship in South Africa.

It will analyse these entrepreneur’s current business practices, market strategy and financial position and create an Individual Development Plan (IDP).

Hon. Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Economics and Keynote speaker at the CCBSA Conference, stressed the importance of a relationship between a business and its supplier and the need for SMEs to get information aligned.

The annual conference is also an opportunity for CCBSA to say what it is they need from their suppliers and for suppliers to network with CCBSA and build a meaningful relationship.

“Money on its own, while it facilitates matters, won’t do the trick. This is where partner relationships come in. The most important group isn’t the government or the ministry, it’s your partnership with potential suppliers, South Africans who have good ideas, good businesses and who need to get into the Coca-Cola supply chain,” said Patel.

“The Conference that Coca-Cola is calling here is part of giving effect to that. It’s the first of what will become annual conferences where current and potential suppliers will sit around a table and talk to Coca-Cola,” he added.

The Supplier Development Conference will be held each year to identify opportunities and maintain and grow local procurement.

The program will analyse these entrepreneurs’ current business practices, market strategy and financial position and create an Individual Development Plan (IDP).

For more information visit the Coca-Cola website.