Stakeholder engagement

Grindrod recognises that its operations and/or activities have an impact on various stakeholders ranging from communities to investors. Grindrod is therefore committed to building and maintaining open, sustainable relationships with a range of stakeholder groups particularly in relation to long-term strategic direction and focus on sustainable practices.

2010 was the group’s centenary year. A history book was published to commemorate this milestone. Further to this, the history was communicated to all stakeholders with the use of various media.

The group continues to build relationships with and seek input from key stakeholders as summarised below:

Investors

•	Interim and annual results presentations provide an opportunity for investors to gain deeper insight into Grindrod’s performance and outlook.
•	Up to date/real-time information to support analysts is provided on the website as well as through live SENS and share price feeds.
•	Engaging in one-on-one meetings with investors to ascertain their information requirements.
•	Site visits and educational tours were arranged at the Richards Bay operation for institutional investors/analysts.
•	Local and international investor roadshows, including roadshows in the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United States of America and one-on-one meetings with major investors, institutions and analysts during 2010.
•	Progress towards meeting King III requirements and other international reporting standards as well as improved disclosure in the annual and interim reports.

Customers

•	Collective meetings with partners and key customers are held regularly, both in South Africa and abroad to gain customer input to the group’s services.
•	Cross-marketing within the group and semi-annual regional forums allow us to share learning and better meet customer expectations. Marketing material and newsletters assist in communicating the group services and in keeping its customers informed on industry events.
•	Participation in relevant conferences, exhibitions and trade fairs, both locally and internationally, keep the group abreast of industry issues and trends, some examples of these are McCloskeys Coal Conference, Coaltrans, Africa Oil Week.
•	One-on-one meetings both locally and internationally, at operational levels to ensure that the group meets specific expectations of key customers.

Media

•	Grindrod endeavours to keep the public and all interested parties up to date with any developments in Grindrod through the media via press announcements, press conferences and editorials.
•	Representatives from the press are invited to investor feedback presentations, the annual general meeting and client functions.
•	Interviews with the chief executive officer are granted on a regular basis for print and broadcast such as CNBC Africa, Summit TV, Business Report, Bloomberg, Reuters and Business Day to name a few, through which we share our experience and opinion on industry issues.

Government authorities

•	Continual engagement with government departments such as the Department of Transport relating to issues and/or legislation that would impact the group’s businesses.
•	Grindrod has fostered a close working relationship specifically with Transnet and Transnet Freight Rail to assist them in dealing with operational issues that impact the Freight Services businesses.
•	Strong relationships are maintained with the Mozambique government and the port and rail authorities in the southern African countries where the group is a significant employer.
•	The Shipping division has a close working relationship with the Maritime and Port authority of Singapore.
•	The offshore Trading division based primarily in Singapore maintains a close working relationship with International Enterprise Singapore, which administers its Global Trader Programme.
•	The relationship with the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and the Financial Services Board are sound.
•	Grindrod has a good relationship with South African Revenue Services (SARS).

Non-governmental organisations, communities and other industry interest groups

•	Maritime industry forums and associations.
•	Various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for corporate social investment purposes.
•	Engagement with local communities before commencing projects for example interviewed fisherman before commencing the dredging project in the port of Maputo.
•	Ethics Institute of South Africa.

Grindrod recognises that its operations and/or activities have an impact on various stakeholders ranging from communities to investors.

•	Institute of Internal Auditors of South Africa.
•	Institute of Directors.
•	Institute of Risk Management of South Africa.
•	South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
•	Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.

Trade unions

The group has committees and reporting structures in place to engage with various unions and ongoing communication activities. Please refer to Social performance for further details.

Staff

•	Internal newsletters, memoranda and the company intranet keep co-workers well informed on company progress and initiatives.
•	Cross-marketing functions in every region held twice a year to facilitate knowledge sharing.
•	Staff functions, strategic planning sessions and other initiatives on an operational level provide staff an opportunity to interact both professionally and socially.

Sustainability

•	Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s (JSE’s) Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Index.
•	Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).
•	Professional sustainability, health, safety and environmental and climate change advisors, consultants and auditors.
•	International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Results announcements, press releases and other updates are communicated to subscribers on the Grindrod website at www.grindrod.co.za.