BME, one of the largest suppliers of explosives to surface mines in South Africa, and a major supplier of explosives across Africa, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.

MD Francois Hay highlighted the company’s humble beginnings and meteoric growth. “We retain that original humility, with the confidence and innovation of a company that can deliver and that will take our customers beyond mining explosives. In all of this, the high standards we maintain in safety, health, environment and quality are not negotiable.”

Hay cited the company’s greatest achievement as still supplying Kumba’s Sishen iron ore mine with raw materials 30 years later. “I believe this longevity is because BME’s employees are committed to exceptional standards of service which continually exceed the expectations of our customers.

Extraordinary team

“When I joined BME 11 years ago, I was mostly struck not by the achievements, the standards nor BME’s growth, but by its extraordinary team of people.

“People who work with passion, commitment and tenacity; people who work hard, who get up, take hands and support each other in tough times to ensure the job is done no matter what. People who are innovative, often with limited resources. But also people who seem to really enjoy what they do. What a privilege to be part of this awesome, diverse and talented BME family.

Spirit of entrepreneurship

“Many of the BME team have 10, 15 and even 20 or more years of service.  The culture and values that BME and Omnia embrace are not endorsed by fancy framed credo’s in the passages, but are embedded in the hearts of a family of people; the spirit of entrepreneurship and challenge to achieve success.

“BME is poised for the challenges the future might hold in mining locally, in Africa and beyond. But past performance is no indication of future success. It will not be easy. Competition is fierce everywhere we go and new business is scarce. We will have to be extraordinary. We have to ensure our people are the best, well trained and always carry the customer’s best interests at heart.”