Vinpro, the representative body for South Africa’s wine producers that has taken over the role previously fulfilled by KWV, has now been formally established with the registration of its name, the group announced on Tuesday.
In the past six months, the organisation has been functioning under the name Wijngaard Co-operative Limited, following a decision last year to separate the activities and accompanying service functions of KWV Group and its co-operative members.
VinPro was actually the name of KWV’s previous services division, from which this new, independent wine producers’ organisation has evolved. After six months of extensive communication involving the board, management and members, a decision was taken to return to the name, albeit with a new logo, “corporate” colours and the slogan For Cape Wine Producers.
The board and management recently held a series of nine district conferences featuring in-depth discussions about the role of the organisation with a view to the long-term success of its 5 000 members, previously members of KWV.
“The VinPro team is committed to assisting producers to grow into a position of financial sustainability,” said CEO Jos le Roux.
VinPro was of the opinion that the wine industry is founded on three cornerstones, namely the market, the economy and technology, the latter including research, development and information transfer. Relevant information will be passed on to VinPro members by means of various communication channels, to be applied in accordance with specific needs.
As representative body, VinPro also serves as the producers’ voice, and the organisation is represented by the five members of the “producer chamber” of the SA Wine and Brandy Company, which coordinates and plans the interests and actions of the entire wine industry.
Via its directors, management and consultants, the organisation also assumes responsibility for handling the wine producers’ representation in about 30 key organisations, inter alia organised agriculture, the government, education and research.
VinPro currently consists of the following divisions: VinPro Viticultural Consultation Services, Agricultural Economic Services, Finances, Information Services, Secretariat and Logistics and WineLand Publictions — with a staff complement of 23 based in Paarl.
The board consists of nine directors, elected from the respective districts, as well as the chief executive and a co-opted specialist, chaired by Danie de Wet, with Johann Krige as vice-chairman.
De Wet emphasised in an interview that “the wine farmer will remain competitive in the international markets only if he is able to match the technological prowess of his competitors”. – I-Net Bridge