About this report
Altron’s previous sustainability report was published in its 2008 annual report. This year’s report covers the South African operations of Altron and its subsidiaries for the financial reporting period from 1 March 2008 to 28 February 2009. It concentrates on the major operations that contribute most significantly to the Altron group. These include Altech, Altech Card Solutions, Altech UEC, Arrow Altech Distribution , Altech Isis, Altech Autopage Cellular, Altech Netstar, Altech Alcom Matomo, Bytes, Bytes Systems Integration, Bytes Document Solutions, Bytes Specialised Solutions, Powertech, Powertech Transformers, Powertech Batteries, Powertech Calidus, Aberdare Cables, Battery Technologies, Crabtree Electrical Accessories SA, Desta Power Matla, Renergy Technologies and Strike Technologies.
During the period under review, Altech acquired a 51% controlling interest in certain digital network operations of the Sameer ICT Group in Kenya, Powertech acquired the 50% equity interest it did not already own in ABB Powertech Transformers, and Bytes acquired Intelleca and NOR Paper.
Reporting on sustainability issues at these companies is included in this report insofar as policy and governance is concerned. Targets and measurement against indicators will only be available for the next reporting period.
While issues of governance and sustainability are managed at Altron’s overseas companies in much the same way as in Altron’s local operations, these are not covered in this report. Neither does this report include the social or environmental performance of the group’s supply chain partners, other than those issues pertaining to the dti Codes of Good Practice (dti CoGP) regarding preferential procurement as well as the responsibility of waste and recycling with contracted partners. While many individual components qualifying various aspects of sustainability in this report have
been assured by external agencies, taken as a whole, this report has not been externally assured.
We have a very developed and mature internal audit department that also performs an important oversight role, as well as making recommendations for continual improvement in a number of important governance indicators across the triple bottom line. While we have sought to present a balanced and factually accurate view of our most material issues, in some areas our systems are not yet complete.
We look to obtain external assurance of this report within the next two years.