VICO LANDSCAPES (PTY) LTD 2008

Overview

2008 for Vico Landscapes (pty) ltd was a break even year and one of the most challenging years in terms of financial sustainability and job acquisition. The Umyezana Capital injection from the 2007 winning financed our marketing and branding of the company. The company evolved its corporate identity and stationery to an extent that our logo and name is becoming a brand in the City. We strategically redesigned our website to be launched early February 2009. We registered with SALI as a full and first 100% black owned Landscaping, full colours member in KZN and South Africa.

We entered a competition for best implemented projects 2009; winners will be announced in April 2009. We are a full member of the Durban Chamber of Commerce, Durban Chamber – the smme desk granter Vico an opportunity to market the company in the Chambers digest for 2009 to be published between February 2009 and March 2009.

Because of our strategic partnership with KZN DED, CEDA Ethekwini, Business Support Unit Ethekwini and dti, we became more involved in seminars, fairs and exhibitions that are held annually, aimed at developing marketing skills and understanding of individual products for respective smme as well as customer care skills.

KZN DED enables us to launch the Indoor Plantscaping Product in the Annual Small Business Fair that was in August 2008 at the Royal Show Grounds. The company gain momentum through media and press publicity. The Plantscaping product gained its market share in the Events industry through its unique product that guarantees Vico (pty) ltd an increase in turn over by at 10% as the product requires no working capital on project implementation.

Our unique designs and style in the industry has earned a First position in an SMME fair, comprising of 410 smme’s competing lock horns for the Best stand competition, this award earned us a Trip exhibit overseas and explore overseas markets, a Mentorship Programme for 12 months in Finance and Administrative Management a well as a Vodago starter kit.

The company strategically started a project that would grow the company and develop skills within a rural community, a previously disadvantaged community in the village of Ezinqoleni, where the Chief granted the company 5 hectors of Land to develop into a Nursery that would spearhead a project that will assist communities start businesses in their home gardens, in a form of co-operatives. This was found to be in line with the department’s objectives. We received moral support from neighboring Chiefs when the project presented at the Chief Tribal office committee.

Successes

The company recognised its employees under 5 Categories in our first annual employee of the year Award that was held on the 11th December 2008, this boosted our staff morale and performance, there is healthy competition in the working environment, every one is working towards a Goal at the end of the year, we are conducting monthly assessments in the office and on site.

International exposure in the Landscaping market, Best stand competition winner, another 1,5 million rands contract in the province of Eastern Cape due to the recognition gained by being a two time Umyezana Winner. Being head hunted for partnering on the biggest and most prestigious project in the KZN province, Moses Mabhida Stadium Landscaping. Acquired a maintenance Contract in Mega City with Old Mutual Development to improve and look after / maintain the Mega City garden.