Moneyweb
The devastating impact of loadshedding did not spare one of Nelson Mandela Bay’s leading employers – with Volkswagen South Africa producing 30,000 fewer vehicles last year.
Martina Biene replaced Robert Cisek in December 2022 as the company's first female Manager Director.
Biene spoke to Algoa FM Breakfast on Wednesday about her first 100 days in office which have been marred by power cuts, a water crisis, and crumbling infrastructure - all of which have not only negatively affecting Volkswagen, but other companies as well.
Biene said one of her key focus areas will be to turn things around after what had been a taxing 2022.
“We lost market share because we were short in supply [and as a result] we built 30,000 fewer vehicles at our plan than we could. So the focus area is to gain back our market share in South Africa.”
She also commended the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber which is assisting companies to come up with possible ways to mitigate the impact of loadshedding on their businesses.
“We are very happy to have the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber on board because they are very strong in helping the industries.”
Biene said, together with the Chamber and other businesses in the Bay, VW SA has lobbied and volunteered for a 24-hour loadshedding period instead of intermittent power cuts that interrupts production every day.
“That’s because we lose a lot of units when we ramp down, then we stand still, and then ramp up again but then we also lose. So it’s better not to ramp up and ramp down a lot.”
