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.

Agri CS Asset Finance

[Division of Agri Credit Solutions with WesBank as partner]

The Agri CS Asset Finance brand offers comprehensive financial services, focused on financing movable assets.

Certisure Group

[Subsidiary of Senwes]

The Certisure Group (Certisure, Raddix, NRS and UBS) is an insurance group that specialises in financial planning, asset, crop, credit life, corporate and life insurance, as well as funeral cover and medical aid schemes. Certisure and the different companies within this group render broker and administrative services as well as financial planning solutions, which cater for and address the risk requirements of clients.

KLK Makelaars

[Division of KLK Landbou]

During the year under review, KLK Makelaars concluded a strategic partnership with Certisure which enables them to continue to operate as juristic representative of Certisure. The partnership enables them to continue operating under their existing brand.

SS Wealth Planning

[Partnership between Senwes and 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.

Senwes Insurance cell captive

[Partnership with Guardrisk as the cell provider]

A cell insurnace company for credit life insurance within Guardrisk Life and focuses on underwriting risks withing the credit life insurance domain

Agri Credit Solutions1
Certisure6
SS Wealth Planning1
Senwes Cell Captive1

Agri Credit Solutions1
Certisure9

Certisure1
KLK Credit1
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 Agri Credit Solutions]

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

Hinterland Holdings Group

[Subsidiary of Senwes]

Hinterland, which encapsulates both the Senwes Village and Suidwes retail branches, specialises in supplying input products for a variety of farming practices through its retail and fuel outlets. The group also offers a wide range of hardware and convenience products to the general public.

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 as well as various convenience products to the general public.

Protek

[Subsidiary of Senwes with the Botha family as 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.

Senwes Equipment

[Subsidiary of Senwes]

Senwes Equipment is an agricultural equipment and service business which offers agri-mechanisation, construction and mining products and implements, maintenance and precision farming solutions to producers and customers alike. Senwes Equipment is a John Deere agent. During the year under review, Senwes Equipment was also appointed as an agent for the John Deere Construction and Forestry range.

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.

JD Implemente (JDI)

[Subsidiary of Senwes with the Tomlinson family as 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 further increases the competitive edge of Senwes Equipment in the agri-sector by manufacturing and distributing tractor-drawn implements and parts to the South African and sub-Saharan agricultural and turf markets.

Prodist Mechanisation

[Division of Agrinet]

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

Senwes Equipment19
Hinderland Holdings19
Falcon Group1

Senwes Equipment24
Hinderland Holdings21
Prodist1

Senwes Equipment2
Hinderland Holdings2
Agrinet1
Protek1

Falcon Group1

Senwes Equipment6
JDI3

JDI2
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 Grainlink51
Grain Procurement Offices12

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 and selling of lamb and beef carcasses in the Northern Cape.

Senwes Seed (Discontinued Operation)

[Division of Senwes]

Senwes Seed established itself over decades as an excellent seed processor with a sound reputation amongst producers in the market. During the period of the review the decision was made to sell the seed operation.

Africum Mills

[Subsidiary of Senwes]

Africum Mills is located in Wolmaransstad in the North-West province and is linked to the group’s Wolmaransstad silo. The mill can produce various maize products. Africum Mills has been decomissioned and is not currently operational. It is also held for sale.

Botselo Mills

[Senwes as a minority shareholder]

Botselo Mills is a family-operated maize milling operation located in Delareyville in the North-West province. Botselo Mills produces a comprehensive range of quality white and yellow maize products. The mill also has its own beer plant, which produces its own specialised beer powder.

SA Dorper

[Subsidiary of KLK Landbou]

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

NviroTek

[Subsidiary of Senwes with the founders as shareholders]

NviroTek Laboratory Group is one of the largest independent agricultural laboratories in Southern Africa. NviroTek performs a multitude of laboratory tests to assist with decision making across various sectors from its laboratories in Hartbeespoort and Wellington.

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
Agri Credit Solutions
Agri Credit Solutions

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