SAPPMA held a pivotal special quality meeting via Zoom, gathering members to address pressing quality concerns within the industry. The meeting convened under the leadership of Chairman Jan Venter, once again emphasised the critical need for collective action to maintain the integrity of the SAPPMA brand.

Key Discussions

The meeting's agenda focused on the ongoing challenges of quality assurance, particularly regarding PVC and HDPE materials. SAPPMA CEO and meeting Chairman Jan Venter articulated that the differentiation of the SAPPMA brand is at risk if quality is maintained. He stressed the importance of adhering to high standards, noting that issues like inferior recycled materials have the risk of branded products suffering from compromised quality.

Resolution and Consensus

A significant outcome of the meeting was the agreement on several key resolutions aimed at strengthening quality control within the industry:

1.Commitment to Brand Protection: Members recognised the necessity of safeguarding the SAPPMA brand through strict adherence to the Code of Conduct, which outlines obligations for all members regarding product quality and ethical business practices.

2.Random Sampling and Testing: Members supported the implementation of random sampling and the publication of test results as proactive measures to improve quality standards. This process will include unannounced factory audits and compliance checks, ensuring all products meet relevant specifications.

3.Accountability Measures: The assembly agreed that any refusal to sign the updated Code of Conduct would result in the termination of membership, emphasizing the importance of accountability among members.

4.Project Superior Quality 2024: The meeting highlighted the ongoing initiatives under this project, which includes adopting stricter requirements for materials and increasing market awareness through media outreach.

Concerns and Clarifications

Members raised concerns about specific aspects of the Code of Conduct and the testing procedures. Notably, the issue of how SAPPMA was dealing with repeat offences in testing, advocating for clear sanctions for recurring non-compliance. Other members enquired about the logistics and costs associated with product testing.

The Chairman assured members that testing costs would be covered by SAPPMA and that transparency would be maintained throughout the process, including notifying manufacturers of testing results. Discussions also touched on the need for rigorous quality checks on new products and the critical role of raw material quality in achieving overall product excellence.

Moving Forward

As a result of the discussions, it was resolved that:

1.The guidance document concerning quality standards would be revised to incorporate constructive feedback from members.

2.Ongoing communication and education regarding compliance with industry standards would be prioritised to ensure all members are aligned with the collective goal of enhancing product quality.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the need for SAPPMA members to uphold the highest standards of quality, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry. Members left the meeting with a renewed commitment to address quality issues collaboratively, reflecting the shared vision for a robust and reputable plastic pipe manufacturing sector.

SAPPMA will continue to monitor progress and engage members in discussions about quality improvements as they work towards maintaining the integrity of their brand and products in the competitive market.