Hammarsdale based PFE Extrusion – a leading producer of polyolefin staple fibres – has good reason to celebrate women’s month.
This tightly run ship is steered by three dynamic women – plant manager, Melanie Nadar, production and SHEQ manager, Tracy Ranjit and quality manager, Nokulunga Mkhize.
The three started working at PFE Extrusion within months of each other and have developed a close knit unit based on trust, respect and an intuitive knowledge of what each of them is thinking – all in a highly technical and male dominated field.
Just five of the 39 strong team that works two shifts a day during a 48 hour week in the meticulously neat and highly automated operation are women.
“It’s a team effort at PFE Extrusion. You never leave when you drive out the gate,” smiles Nadar, who is the quick to explain that they have learnt the ropes together, under the guidance and mentorship of Dr Medy Zarrebini, head of parent company PFE International, who remains a much admired role model and active part of the company. .
Although 80 percent of production goes to Van Dyck, the number of outside customers is growing and the company is targeting the production of innovative products to service niche markets. Product is despatched to a wider range of customers including manufactures of filter cloth, bathroom mats, cosmetics and companies requiring artificial hair.
PFE Extrusion’s rationale of entrusting women to the traditionally male-dominated domain is really paying off and, not handsomely, beautifully at that.
