FORMALLY EMPOWERED

Ancillary telecommunications equipment supplier, Webb Industries, is set to benefit from the formalisation of broad-based black economic empowerment (BEE) at its holding company Jasco Electronics Holdings Limited which is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange SA.

2004-11-05

JASCO, WEBB INDUSTRIES FORMALLY EMPOWERED

Ancillary telecommunications equipment supplier, Webb Industries, is set to benefit from the formalisation of broad-based black economic empowerment (BEE) at its holding company Jasco Electronics Holdings Limited (“Jasco”) which is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange SA.

Earlier this year, Jasco was profiled by economic empowerment rating agency EmpowerDEX which generated an independent appraisal of the company’s economic empowerment status by measuring it against the Department of Trade and Industry’s balanced scorecard. The ratings are designed to assess a business entity’s direct empowerment, human resources development, indirect empowerment and operational capacity.

After the thorough review, analysis and evaluation of quantitative and qualitative company data, EmpowerDEX rated Jasco as a BBB entity. Ratings are expressed on a scale ranging from AAA, a premium BEE contributor, to FF, an unsatisfactory BEE contributor, covering four categories namely black-owned, black-empowered, black-influenced and non-BEE.

Webb Industries, as one of Jasco’s three divisions, can thus be formally recognised as a black empowered company, ensuring that it meets the criteria for preferential procurement in the telecommunications industry in particular and across all sectors of South African business where information communication technology is applied. Webb Industries managing director Murray Webb says, “As a supplier of ancillary telecommunications equipment, it is imperative that we meet empowerment criteria in addition to providing the technology for which we are renowned in the market. The EmpowerDEX rating is the confirmation of our status and we are pleased with our achievement.”

Established in 1973, Webb Industries has become one of the leading innovators in ancillary products for telecommunications infrastructure. Part of the listed Jasco group, it continues to evolve alongside the rapidly changing telecommunications sector and offers a comprehensive range of antennas, coaxial cables and connectors, duplexers and filters, earthing, lightning protection, as well as the supply and installation of masts and towers.