By Nangamso Mabindla
16 July 2004

BUFFALO CITY'S executive mayor, Sindisile Maclean, has called for a partnership between the municipality and local business.

The mayor made his call while on an official visit to REHAU Polymer, in Fort Jackson, near Mdantsane. Maclean was visiting REHAU Polymer to learn more about the company and the benefits it has brought to the Buffalo City economy.

The company, named after the German city of Rehau, is a major supplier of car bumpers and other products to the East London factory of DaimlerChrysler, the German car manufacturer.

REHAU Polymer also supplies a variety of products to civil-engineering companies and home-appliance manufactures. It even designs windows.

The plant manager, Thomas Freundorfer, said the company employed 160 previously unemployed people from East London, King William's Town and Mdantsane.

"We found it important to employ locals because we wanted to contribute more in bettering people's lives. Although our main office is in Johannesburg the plant here in East London is the backbone of our company."

REHAU Polymer invited the mayor to find ways the City and the company could work together for the benefit of the city's citizens.

"We want to forge a partnership with the municipality; to find ways we can improve our contribution and form a good relationship with the municipality," said Freundorfer.

Maclean agreed with Freundorfer: he said the formation of the Local Economic Development Unit would mean the municipality would work more closely with businesses.

"This tour around your factory was an eye-opener for me. Now I know what REHAU does and the importance of having a company that exports products to overseas businesses," he said.

"This does indeed bring much-needed business to the city. I also like the fact that you work with locally based companies like Daimler, VWSA, Defy and the like."

The mayor was also impressed to discover that the company's workforce met international standards.

"When Thomas told me that the sister company in Germany awarded the company a certificate confirming that our people's efforts are on par with developed countries, I was touched."

The Fort Jackson firm had a potential for growth - but this growth, Freundorfer said, would depend on the relationship with local authorities.

"I'm happy that the mayor visited us. I hope he will be a major player in the opening of good communication between business and the municipality."

Maclean said he would like to visit all businesses around the city - to listen to concerns and open the lines of communication.

"Now I know your worries, my goal is to visit other businesses to find out whether they have similar concerns. But overall I'm happy to be here and am looking forward to working with you," he said.