Company Overview

A brief history

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1909

Our company’s history can be traced back to the autumn of 1909, when 24 pioneering farmers came together to discuss the idea of a co-operative in the then Western Transvaal. Following the devastation left in the wake of the Anglo Boer War, the need arose for sustainable grain handling and seed processing on a large scale. Looking back, the establishment of De Centraal Westelijke Co-operatieve Landbouw Vereniging on 15 May 1909, was the spark that ignited our company’s business philosophy of providing solutions to enable our customers to effectively conduct their business.

1930s

In the 1930s, the co-operative association that would become Senwes, achieved several important milestones. In 1931, the association recorded its first ever grain yield of over one million bags, while in 1936, it was officially registered as a co-operative under the name Sentraal Westelike Koöperatiewe Maatskappy by the union of South Africa's Department of Agriculture, commonly referred to as Sentraalwes or Senwesko.

1940s

In April 1946, the cornerstone of the company's new headquarters was laid in Corrie de Kock Street, Klerksdorp and the building was completed and inaugurated the following year. The official opening was conducted by Mr JJ Adams, the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Registrar of Co-operative Companies. During the same period, Senwes launched the processing of peanuts as a new production line, and by 1949, the company had expanded its trading activities to include animal feed and edible oils.

1950s

In the 1950s, the company was a founding member of Sentraboer (Co-operative) Limited in 1950, which provided insurance cover for the harvests and assets of its members. In 1951, Senwes launched seed processing as an additional service to members, further strengthening its position as a leading agricultural co-operative. Additionally, in February 1956, Senwes registered its activities in the then-South West Africa (now Namibia) as a co-operative company with limited liability under the Ordinance on Co-operative Societies, 1946 (Ordinance 15 of 1946).

1960s

In the 1960s, Senwes launched a series of initiatives aimed at modernising and improving its operations. These included a comprehensive grain-lift construction programme in 1962 to enhance the handling and management of bulk grain, the computerisation of systems at its headquarters using IBM-machines in 1965 (which were later upgraded to more powerful computers), and the establishment of an agricultural science and information department in 1969.

1970s

In 1971, Senwesko held its first farmers' day, which attracted 700 members and was a great success. Two years later, the company formally adopted a new corporate identity featuring a corn cob emblem, and its research division made history by receiving approval for two new maize cultivars and a soya bean cultivar. In 1977, Senwes further expanded its operations by opening a peanut-sorting plant in Wesselsbron, and in 1978-1979, the company established its new headquarters at Charel de Klerk Street in Klerksdorp, adjacent to the N12-highway

1980s

In the early 1980s, Senwes made significant investments in expanding its operations and improving its infrastructure. In 1982, the company established its own fertiliser plant in Viljoenskroon, followed by the completion of a peanut-dehusking plant at Bultfontein in 1983. That same year, Senwes also underwent a name change, becoming an agricultural co-operative with limited liability in accordance with the Co-operatives Act (Act 91 of 1981).

1990s

In 1997, Senwes underwent a major transformation when it changed from an agricultural co-operative with limited liability to a profit-driven company competing in the free market. The company's new corporate identity was officially introduced on 23 July of that year, after it had been established as a company on April 10.

2000s

In May 2000, Senwes participated in the Nampo Harvest Day for the first time and in February 2001, the company introduced the SAP-management system. In 2002, a value-creation strategy was implemented, the first female group secretary was appointed and Senwes embarked on a black economic empowerment path. The Bafokeng Consortium acquired a 27,14% interest in Senwes in 2005. The company adopted a new logo in September 2008, leading up to the official celebration of Senwes' 100-year anniversary on 15 May 2009.

2010s

The 2010s were marked by the implementation of a 10-year rolling strategy based on six core pillars. This strategic approach led Senwes to diversify and expand geographically, broadening its product and service offerings through multiple mergers and acquisitions. The 2015/16 season brought about the most severe El Niño drought phenomenon in the country's history. Two years later, Senwes successfully managed and stored the largest maize crop ever produced in South Africa.

Now

The early 2020s will be globally remembered not only for the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic but also as a time of great instability, digital transformation, and rapid transition to a new normal. As we progress through 2024, the agricultural sector has faced significant challenges, including adverse El Niño conditions, which have impacted weather patterns and crop yields. Despite these hurdles, Senwes has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. Through strategic initiatives, effective risk management, and the ongoing realisation of synergies from recent mergers and business model reorganisations, we have achieved unprecedented success. In 2024, Senwes delivered a profit exceeding R900 million. This milestone underscores our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the long-term prosperity of our stakeholders.

The Senwes Group

The Senwes Group operates across several South African provinces and has a geographic footprint in East Germany. In SA, the Senwes Group is present in the North West, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces, through four main pillars: Financial and Technical Services, Input Supply, Market Access and Processing, Conditioning & Markets.

Overview of companies in this business segment:

Agri Credit Solutions

[Subsidiary of Senwes]

Agri Credit Solutions is a registered credit provider which offers financial products to producers through the Senwes Credit, Suidwes Credit and KLK Credit brands. Agri Credit Solutions serves as the financing link and key enabler between agricultural producers and Senwes’ other operations including joint ventures and subsidiaries.

Senwes Insurance Cell Captive

[Insurance Cell Captive with Guardrisk as the cell provider]

A cell insurance company for credit life insurance within Guardrisk Life that focuses on underwriting risks within the credit life insurance domain.

KLK Makelaars

[Division of KLK Landbou]

KLK Makelaars has a strategic partnership with Certisure that enables it to continue operating as a juristic representative of Certisure. This partnership enables it to continue operating under its existing brand.

SS Wealth Planning

[Joint venture (JV) with S-Bro Financial Services]

SS Wealth Planning is an authorised financial services provider which facilitates wealth creation by means of wealth planning, advice and estate planning to ensure long-term financial peace of mind for clients.

Certisure and Univision

[Subsidiary of Senwes]

Certisure renders broker and administrative services and financial planning solutions that cater to and address clients’ risk requirements. Univision Broker Services, a subsidiary of Senwes, renders non-life administration services to intermediaries.

Agri Credit Solutions1
Certisure4
SS Wealth Planning1
Senwes Cell Captive1

Agri Credit Solutions1
Certisure8

Certisure1
KLK Makelaars2

Geographic Footprint:

Brands within the business segment:

Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions

Overview of companies in this business segment:

Agrinet

[Subsidiary of Senwes]

Agrinet is a wholesaler and distributor of a wide selection of industrial products, general merchandise and irrigation ranges to retail and trade markets in South Africa and neighbouring countries.

Senwes Agricultral Services

[Division of Senwes]

Senwes Agricultural Services specialises in agricultural economic services, performance and technical efficiency analyses and benchmarking.

Hinterland Group

[Subsidiary of Senwes]

Hinterland specialises in supplying input products for various farming practices through its retail and fuel outlets. The group also offers the public a wide range of hardware and convenience products.

KLK Retail and Fuel

[Division of KLK Landbou]

The KLK Landbou Group, through its retail branches and Build-It stores, aims to distribute and sell agricultural input supplies and various convenience products to the public. It also distributes wholesale fuel and sells it on a retail basis.

Protek

[Subsidiary of Senwes with a minority shareholder]

Protek offers solutions in home and garden pest control and plant nutrition. Its products are distributed to all leading hardware stores, nurseries, chain stores, agricultural companies and independent retailers across South Africa.

S&L Connect

[Foreign (German) subsidiary of Senwes]

S&L Connect is an agricultural equipment and services business offering agri-mechanisation equipment and implements, as well as maintenance solutions to agricultural producers in the Brandenburg and Saxony areas of East Germany. S&L Connect is a John Deere agent.

Senwes Equipment

[Subsidiary of Senwes]

Senwes Equipment is an agricultural equipment and service business that offers agri-mechanisation, construction, forestry, implements, maintenance and precision farming to producers and customers alike. Senwes Equipment is a John Deere agent.

JD Implemente (JDI)

[Subsidiary of Senwes with a minority shareholder]

JDI broadens Senwes Equipment’s geographical footprint by providing agri-equipment and maintenance solutions in the Western and Eastern Cape.

Falcon

[Subsidiary of Senwes]

Falcon, through its Staalmeester, Falcon and Amazone brands, expands Senwes Equipment’s product offerings in the agri-sector. Staalmeester manufactures and imports agricultural equipment for small- and medium-sized producers, while Falcon manufactures and distributes tractor-drawn implements and parts to the South African and sub-Saharan agricultural and turf markets. Falcon is the sole importer of Amazone agricultural machinery in Southern Africa.

Prodist Mechanisation

[Division of Agrinet]

Prodist Mechanisation specialises in sourcing, importing and distributing quality aftermarket agricultural spare parts.

Senwes Equipment20
Hinderland Holdings19
Falcon Group1

Senwes Equipment24
Hinderland Holdings21
Prodist1

Senwes Equipment2
Hinderland Holdings2
Agrinet1
Protek1

Falcon Group1

Senwes Equipment6
JDI9

JDI6
Agrinet1

Senwes Equipment2
Hinderland Holdings1
KLK38

S&L Connect13

Geographic Footprint:

Brands within the business segment:

Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions

Overview of companies in this business segment:

Senwes Grainlink

[Division of Senwes]

Senwes Grainlink comprises of two main divisions: Silo Industry and Market Access. The Silo Industry division specialises in the handling and storage of grain and oilseeds and are positioned between the producer and off-takers. The Market Access division focuses on high probability trading, grain procurement, stock decision-making, stock offers via Basislink, delivery and solution design.

Silocerts

[Joint venture with AFGRI]

Silocerts provides a safe and effective way of managing electronic silo certificates via the internet or smartphones.

Grain Market Access

[Division of Senwes]

Grain Market Access focuses on high probability trading, grain procurement, stock decision-making, stock offers via Basislink, delivery and solution design.

Grainovation

[Subsidiary of Senwes]

Grainovation is an asset-light logistics broker, focused on optimising logistics across the Senwes Group.

Senwes Grainlink22
Grain Procurement Offices6
Grainovation1

Senwes Grainlink49
Grain Procurement Offices13

Senwes Grainlink4
Silocerts1

Senwes Grainlink3
Grain Procurement Office1

Geographic Footprint:

Brands within the business segment:

Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions

Overview of companies in this business segment:

Bastion Lime

[Joint venture with NWK]

The Bastion Group specialises in the production and marketing of high-quality lime and gypsum products for agricultural and industrial purposes.

Carpe Diem Raisins

[Subsidiary of KLK Landbou]

Carpe Diem Raisins is an established brand name in the international raisin market. Carpe Diem Raisins buys, processes and packages raisins that are organically produced along the Orange River and markets it largely to the international market.

KLK Feedlot and Abattoirs

[Division and subsidiaries of KLK Landbou]

The KLK sheep feedlot prepares animals for the market. KLK’s abattoir sites handle the slaughtering of sheep and cattle, and the sale of carcasses.

SA Dorper

[Subsidiary of KLK Landbou]

SA Dorper handles the processing and exporting of Dorper skins and cattle hides.

NviroTek

[Subsidiary of Senwes with a minority shareholder]

NviroTek is one of the largest independent agricultural laboratories in Southern Africa. From its laboratories in Hartbeespoort and Wellington, NviroTek performs a multitude of laboratory tests that assist with decisionmaking across various sectors.

Nemlab

[Subsidiary of NviroTek]

Nemlab is a diagnostic laboratory specialising in nematode testing. Nemlab also performs many other laboratory tests and analyses that help farmers and agronomists manage soil health and protect their crops.

Bastion Lime

[Joint venture with NWK]

The Bastion Group specialises in the production and marketing of high-quality lime and gypsum products for agricultural and industrial purposes.

Carpe Diem Raisins

[Subsidiary of KLK Landbou]

Carpe Diem Raisins is an established brand name in the international raisin market. Carpe Diem Raisins buys, processes and packages raisins that are organically produced along the Orange River and markets it largely to the international market.

KLK Feedlot and Abattoirs

[Division and subsidiaries of KLK Landbou]

The KLK sheep feedlot prepares animals for the market. KLK’s abattoir sites handle the slaughtering of sheep and cattle, and the sale of carcasses.

SA Dorper

[Subsidiary of KLK Landbou]

SA Dorper handles the processing and exporting of Dorper skins and cattle hides.

Bastion3
NviroTek1
Mills2

NviroTek1

KLK1

KLK5

Geographic Footprint:

Brands within the business segment:

Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions

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