Background

Bidvest Prestige Group was established in 1969 and has over the years evolved to become the largest and most specialized cleaning company in SA. Prestige’s business philosophy is centered on first class service delivery. This philosophy is entrenched in the company culture and value system. Prestige’s mission statement further articulates the values and characteristics that underpin the business strategy such as:

• implementing innovative service solutions;
• building lasting business partnerships with clients;
• attracting and retaining high calibre people;
• remaining thoroughly professional at all times;
• being market leaders within the industry;
• creating opportunities through empowerment initiatives; and
• attaining the highest quality in cleaning in all contracts serviced

In 1993, Prestige was acquired by the Bidvest Group Ltd an international services, trading and distribution company listed on the South African JSE and operating on four continents. Prestige falls within the Bidvest Services Division of the Bidvest Group which offers mainly outsourced services to predominantly property related industries.

People Development

Bidvest Prestige Group employs more than 30 000 employees nationally and as founding members of the National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA), the group is at the forefront of developing and funding training initiatives for staff at every occupational level throughout the business processes. Bidvest Prestige Group understands that a company’s opportunity for growth is very much aligned to its commitment towards employee development. Further more, recognising and retaining talented staff who have a real flair for customer service is a key focus for the business.

Specialised Divisions

Managing such a diverse range of services resulted in the company developing a decentralised operations structure consisting of seven divisions, each with its own Managing Executive. Four of the divisions are regional and ensure that all clients receive a personal service and a quick response and the two divisions manages the specialist healthcare and hospitality operations. The Support Centre, headquartered in Randburg, Johannesburg, provides corporate support services such as payroll, financial management, training, industrial relations, quality management, client relations, recruitment, marketing, transformation, sales and procurement.

Diversification

Bidvest Prestige Group has been expanding into related services through a series of acquisitions and growth strategies. Within the healthcare sector, Bidvest Prestige Group provides Care Givers thus making a pool of specialized care workers available to render patient care services in hospitals and old age homes. Bidvest Prestige Group provides contract staff for the hospitality and events sector, while Edge Performance Management delivers management development and overall human resource consulting services. Bidvest Prestige Group also provides portable toilets for the events and construction industries through Prestige Toilet Hire. Liquid waste removal services are also provided through Prestige Toilet Hire.