Responsible Supply Chain Initiative-Certified Automotive Component Supplier

Malben Engineering, an established Level 4 BBBEE supplier of stampings and welding components to local vehicle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs),  has been certified in terms of the global Responsible Supply Chain Initiative (RSCI) standard for the automotive industry.

The Responsible Supply Chain Initiative RSCI e.V. was founded by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) with foundational members including Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz AG and BMW, as well as suppliers such as Brose, Robert Bosch GmbH and Schaeffler.

The RSCI e.V. ensures high sustainability standards at national and international level through independent audits. An RSCI certification and tag, or Responsible Supply Chain Initiative label, demonstrates compliance with stringent RSCI criteria which promote ethical environmental, and socially responsible practices.

Confirming that Malben Engineering had achieved a top score with a resounding 98% in the RSCI audit, Operational Director Luca Smargiasso says this reflects company’s dedication to excellence and integrated sustainability.

“We are proud of our people-centric approach. We view our workforce as a large family, therefore providing the best and safest working environment is absolutely essential to us. We have learnt that if people feel that their workplace is safe, production levels rise and brand loyalty increases,” he points out.

Malben Engineering was identified as a candidate for the RSCI audit by Ford, to which it is a tier 1 supplier of chassis components due to its high standards and quality product. The certification is valid for three years.

This year, Malben Engineering also became the first South African automotive component manufacturer to trial ‘green’, low-carbon steel.

As a leader in sustainability and supply chain assurance, DQS facilitates independent evaluations – such as Malben Engineering’s – against various international standards, including the Responsible Supply Chain Initiative (RSCI) standard for the automotive industry. Lucinda Kuys, Executive: Social, Sustainability & Ethical Compliance at DQS, says achieving a 98% score is an outstanding accomplishment, reflecting the company’s robust commitment to sustainability and responsible supply chain practices.

“From an RSCI perspective, Malben Engineering’s achievement reinforces the credibility and utility of the RSCI standard in driving industry transformation. It sets a benchmark for other companies, demonstrating the value of rigorous audits in enhancing supply chain transparency and responsibility. This milestone not only strengthens Malben’s reputation, but also contributes to broader industry goals,” she notes.

A ticket to the game

“When we do something, we do it well. We always ensure that we have a best-in-class, proactive approach to everything we do,” agrees Malben Engineering’s Commercial Director Marius Schafer.

Schafer adds that recognition of Malben’s high quality and operational standards not only positions the company to embrace future growth opportunities as stipulated by the South African Automotive Masterplan 2035; but raises the status of the company as a tier 1 supplier to all OEMs.

“For Malben Engineering, a sustainable supply chain not only entails looking at our upstream supply chain but also at downstream suppliers, and ensuring that both our people and those providing equipment to us are operating their businesses in a manner which is compliant with a sustainable supply chain. This equips our company to drive growth and seize the right opportunities to support global automotive OEMs – as well as businesses in other sectors. We term this a ‘ticket to the game’,” he explains.

Playing the game

“As part of this audit, a company does not only state what it does – but has to prove it – and its actions are verified via actual interviews with people on the shop floor. The results of the audit are based on what is happening in practice. We are not a company that relies on a file or a website full of policies or procedures. We do not just list our certifications, we are able to demonstrate that we are truly living them on a day to day basis,” Smargiasso adds.

Malben is also leading by example. Companies within its upstream and downstream supply chain have already requested assistance in getting their operations up to standard and implementing similar responsible supply chain practices.

The RSCI audit also paves the way for continued improvement, as it has helped us to understand what new industry best practices could be implemented, to ensure that Malben Engineering remains at firmly at the forefront of the industry,” Smargiasso concludes.