The more informal connection and interaction there is between users of flavours and fragrances and manufacturers and suppliers, the better will be the standards in our industry. That’s the driver behind the increasingly popular South African Association of the Flavour and Fragrance Industry (SAAFFI) networking evenings and the conviction of Michael Gristwood, executive director of SAAFFI.
‘In a congenial and non-competitive environment, interaction between users and suppliers and manufacturers can only lead to greater levels of understanding of others’ expectations and circumstances. We have seen extremely positive outcomes as a result of networking between our members and their customers or potential customers,’ says Gristwood.
To draw people to attend the regular networking evenings, they feature a talk of general interest and are always held in an appealing environment. The August event in Cape Town featured Andrew Chin, who talked about the Patagonia Extreme Cold Swim Challenge, which he achieved as part of a five-man team. The event also included several food experiences with drinks to match. In September in Johannesburg, the talk was given by Mandy Ramsden, the South African mountaineer who is the first woman from Africa to have climbed the seven summits – the highest peaks of each of the world’s continents. Previous events have featured speakers of the calibre of Clem Sunter and Shaun Smith, creator of The Fusion Cooking School.
Gristwood adds that these evenings would be even more of a success if a broader spectrum of people who are involved in the food, beverage, cosmetic and toiletry industries attended.
SAAFFI, which is open to manufacturers and suppliers of flavourings and fragrance compounds, suppliers of raw materials and other services to manufacturers and suppliers of flavourings and fragrance compounds, has been growing in membership numbers in recent years. This has resulted in a broadening of the range of activities and services undertaken for the benefit of its members and the general improvement of the industry, the industries it serves and the people associated with them.
These activities and services include networking events, seminars, training workshops and Precise Short Training Courses (PSTC), interacting with government, encouraging the local production of aromatic chemicals, encouraging the local growing of herbs, spices and other plant material and their processing into added value material such as essential oils, lobbying for the removal of unnecessary import duties, among other activities.
Adds Gristwood, ‘Consistent effort ensures that membership offers real value to companies and organisations who are our members.’ One of the association’s particularly valuable accomplishments for its members, for companies that are customers of its members, and for the industry in general; is a Code of Practice that was drawn up in 2004 and provides a general landscape view on business practices and ethics. It is reviewed and revised on an ongoing basis. The annual signing and applying of it is an integral part of membership.
The SAAFFI website also highlights employment opportunities both for people looking for work as well as for employers looking for employees, which is an increasingly popular service.
Gristwood notes that SAAFFI is committed to building on its sound infrastructure and keeping up with developments within the industry to ensure that it remains a relevant and influential association for its members.
