In 2015, CCBSA’s Devland Plant faced a challenging period marked by a difficult restructuring, two illegal work stoppages, and a downturn in employee trust, customer service, and overall performance. Compounding these issues were high levels of stock theft, poor housekeeping, low engagement, absenteeism, and a pervasive lack of ownership—all factors that earned Devland the title of CCBSA’s poorest performing plant in Africa. An example of this is the fact that the plant, that could dispatch over 150 trucks per day, at times struggled to dispatch even 50.
Moses Lubisi, at the time the newly appointed Business Process Lead at Devland, now CCBSA’s Manufacturing & Technical Director, describes this period as ‘toxic,’ stressful and ‘tough’ for both management and employees.
A turning point came with the appointment of a new Managing Director (MD) who was passionate about fostering a culture of Ubuntu. Devland’s Senior Leadership Team seized the opportunity to collaborate with Free To Grow, specialists in culture and engagement, to create a shared vision and a spirit of co-creation within the plant.