Meet Joaquín Schoch

A kind and humble man – that is who we met when we sat down with the winner of the 2016 Thebe Chairman’s Award. Joaquín Schoch, Safripol Chairman, spent time with us to discuss Safripol and winning the award at the Thebe Group Excellence Awards. Read on to find out what he had to say.

Talking to Joaquín

Q. Describe how you feel about winning the Chairman’s Award.

I feel appreciated and proud. The words spoken by Vusi Khanyile (during the award presentation) were very complimentary and kind. That being said, I am aware and recognise that my achievements are always a product of the team of people I have around me.

Over the years, I’ve noticed that the people working at Thebe are professional, capable, supportive, cooperative, genuine team players and truly a family. This team spirit is a great strength. In the future, these people will certainly continue to produce the performance that is typical of winning companies.

It has been my privilege to be associated with Thebe, and I know, from my side, the friendship will continue for a long time. This recognition is grand for me!

Q. What does winning the Thebe Excellence Award mean to you and Safripol?

It is a recognition of our work, and it implies that we have contributed to the success of Thebe. What Safripol did, and this award recognises the quality of the business. It also means that I have been noticed as a person for more than just being another business CEO somewhere.

Q. Elaborate on what Safripol does and how it improves the lives of others?

We make raw materials for the plastics industry.

Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) are the world’s most used plastic materials by far; together over 200 million tonnes a year and over 500 million kilos of plastics a day. Safripol produces nearly 1 000 tonnes a day.

We conduct the science that creates the molecules making the materials needed by most industries – packaging, construction, automotive, appliances, furnishings, computers, aerospace, garments, you name it. Our society could never enjoy these products without plastics and, hence, we could not enjoy the comfort we have in our lives.

It is the easiest material to recycle, and has the lowest carbon footprint, in other words, it has the lowest negative impact on the environment. Plastics don’t pollute; people do!

Q. What has Thebe meant to Safripol over the years? What have the last ten years been like within the Thebe family?

For ten years the support we received from Thebe as a shareholder, through the good times, but mainly during really difficult periods, was second to none.

We understood each other, and we believed in future opportunities. We were open and honest with each other. Thebe had to stretch themselves after the Great Recession when dividends were not paid out and the financing cost of their shares was very high.

They trusted us, and I am extremely pleased that eventually we could return healthy profits. In 2011, we generated R10 million, while in 2016, we generated such an amount in less than three days!

Q. How did Safripol and Thebe come to work together?

In 2007, through a Private Equity deal, Safripol was bought out of The Dow Chemical Company, the second largest chemical company in the world and America’s first.

From the beginning we insisted on incorporating a value-adding BEE shareholder, not only as a precaution towards possible future needs, but because we felt it was the right thing to do.

We were lucky that Thebe was among the candidates. After selecting down to the last two, we met with Chairperson Vusi Khanyile, who candidly exposed to us his will, determination and vision. We met the resourceful teams, who produced the funds and… the rest is history!

Q. What’s the best thing about working at Safripol?

The employees around me, no doubt! We are the most empowered organisation in South Africa across all levels and all functions. Working like this is not only very efficient, it is very rewarding for all.

I was allowed to lead Safripol to an eight-years in a row audited and certified Top Employer in South Africa, competing with the most respected names in business.

We worked with premier suppliers, customers and other stakeholders. My background and the Safripol platform allowed me, seven years ago, to become the Chairperson of the Chemical and Allied Industries Association of South Africa, from where I could help in the development of our industry and our country.

The Safripol culture also motivated me to provide and have fun in-house, to celebrate success. I was also allowed (for many years, about eight) to continue with my part-time hobby as a Spanish La Liga soccer analyst at SuperSport. Thebe also introduced me to some local soccer personalities, and in 2010, before the FIFA World Cup started, together with hard working people, I introduced the Real Madrid Foundation to South Africa. Little did we know that a few weeks later, Spain would be crowned World Champion at Soccer City, in spite of all the orange colours around the final match.

When you work with good people, you can achieve extraordinary results.

Q. What is your vision for the business?

Safripol will continue to grow and provide a platform for further scientific and business developments in South Africa’s chemical industry.

We will continue to employ people who will come to work every day, happy and will return home safely and satisfied. The organisation’s commitment to being a leading company is unquestioned by anyone at Safripol. We will be part of the industry transformation because we often lead and always embrace needed change.

Q. What services does Safripol offer?

We deliver products and technical expertise to plastic converting companies. PE and PP are all around us, certainly at this very moment, you are exposed to many articles made out of PE or PP.

We assist our customers in the physical transformation of the small granules we sell into ready to use finished articles. We understand plastic’s function, from conserving fresh food longer, cleaning and packing essential water to the many structural demands placed on packaging products. Products are developed according to market needs.

Q. What message do you have for your employees?

I have been lucky to interact with them on many occasions, and they know my messages. Companies are a collective group of people focusing on creating value that allows to pay our salaries and reward our investors. Money does not grow on trees; it must come from the value created in the markets along the value chain. Money does not make good people, but good people often produce a lot of money.

There is no substitute for developing and continuous learning – knowledge is the most portable benefit you will ever have and nobody can take it away from you. Respecting each other and valuing diversity will always lead to earning respect.

Safripol’s recipe is good, but that does not mean it shouldn’t continue to improve.

Q. How can people make use of your services?