As we approach the conclusion of 2024, it is with great pride that I reflect on what has been a transformative year for our company. This year marked the beginning of a new chapter as we embarked on a significant rebranding journey, aligning ourselves with the Pinion Global Network. This partnership not only enhances our capacity, but also opens a world of possibilities for our clients and our business in the years to come.

The rebranding was more than a change of name or logo – it was a redefinition of our identity. By joining forces with like-minded organizations across the globe, we have expanded our horizons, strengthened our expertise, and solidified our commitment to delivering cutting-edge agricultural advisory and business support solutions.

Our Strength Lies in Our People

At the core of our success is our human capital. Our team, comprising some of the most talented, innovative, and dedicated professionals, is our greatest asset. It is their expertise, creativity, and passion that enable us to deliver best-of-breed services and solutions to the market.

We have invested significantly in training and development programs, ensuring our people remain at the forefront of innovation and excellence. I am deeply grateful for their contributions and unwavering commitment and trust in our vision.

Innovation at the Heart of Growth

The agriculture and business support sectors are rapidly evolving, with new technologies, practices, and opportunities emerging every day. This year, we focused on harnessing our expanded network to bring global best practice to our business and to our clients. Whether it was through introducing advanced financial models, deploying expert agriculture knowledge, or offering data-driven insights; we have continued to lead from the front.

Our integration into the Pinion Global Network has provided access to a wealth of shared knowledge and resources, empowering us to deliver solutions tailored to both local needs and international standards.

2024 Agriculture Overview

There is not sufficient time to get into specific sectors, but from an agricultural perspective we have seen significant swings in commodity prices, as hyper food inflation has impacted our struggling consumers. Evidence of this is the red meat industry prices dropping to 2018 prices, and maize fluctuating 30% in the year. All the above occurring with low published inflation, and high-cost increases in labour, distribution and energy.

It has been a clear reminder that we need to build robust low-cost businesses; that can handle the cyclical, seasonal nature of commodity-based agriculture.
To this extent the continuous improvement of our production systems and implementation thereof is what will keep our businesses flourishing into the future.

Pinion SA believes that the knowledge we can bring back to our clients from the Pinion Global Network will be an enabler of this continuous improvement; without the school fees we usually incur.

This is summed up by my favourite quote –

“There is nothing more wasteful than optimising a process that should never have been done”
– Peter Druker

And in agriculture we spend a lot of time finding solutions for problems we can avoid.

Lastly the Foot and Mouth outbreak in the Tsitsikamma has been a clear reminder/warning to all of us about the biological risk. My thoughts are with all those that where affected by it and I believe that when you look back there will be many key learnings which will enable you to improve your businesses. I encourage you to document and implement what you have learnt. It is my hope that all farmers take note of the financial impact that an event such as this can have on your business and pay biosecurity the due respect it deserves.

EURFRAS 2024 Conference

Some interesting international developments I noted during the EUFRAS conference I attended in Edinburgh:

Dairy Beef has resulted in a 20% reduction in cow and calf numbers in Scotland, as beef farmers have chosen to optimise their liveweight gains through dairy beef animals (lower maintenance requirement)
Government targets are 30% of agricultural land to be rewilded, with no loss of agricultural output, while 67% of Scottish farmers make a loss without government grants, while land transfers once every two hundred odd years.
- When economic forces get tampered with, the inefficient survive and drag performance and efficiency down.
- Universally it is difficult to fund growth of agriculture without ownership of land and this results in a very high barrier to entry for all.
Terminology is critical and there needs to be universal agreement on what terms mean in order to drive alignment, understanding and effective collaboration.
Africa and other low-cost production areas are going to feed Europe; as legislation will result in economically unsustainable practices and unaffordable food

2024 Pinion SA Highlights

It really has been a year of change, growth, learning and opportunity. Below are a few of the changes we have made over the past 12 months.

The launch of new services under the Pinion Advisory banner;
- Sheep and Beef Livestock Study Group
- Futa’s Footsteps – Customized on-farm training programs for workers and managers
- Agri and Business Financing Service – through the incorporation of L&J Consulting into the group
Our Pinion Human Capital Division has broadened its range of IR and HR services, with consultants located across South Africa.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we set our sights on 2025, we do so with confidence and anticipation. The possibilities ahead are boundless, and we are excited about the opportunities to grow alongside our clients, partners, and communities.

In the coming year, we will continue to focus on:

Strengthening our presence within the global network to bring the best practices and solutions to South Africa.
Investing in our people to cultivate innovation and expertise further.
Expanding our portfolio of services to meet the evolving needs of the agriculture and business support sectors.

Festive Wishes

As we wrap up this extraordinary year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our clients, partners, and staff for your trust, support, and collaboration. You are the reason for our success, and we look forward to achieving even greater milestones together in 2025.

On behalf of everyone at Pinion South Africa, I wish you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year. May 2025 bring growth, abundance, and happiness.

Warm regards,
Llewellyn Collett
CEO, PINION SOUTH AFRICA

Please save our WhatsApp number, +27 71 324 1544 as a contact on your phone to ensure you receive important updates from the Pinion SA Group.

As we approach the festive season, we would like to inform you that our offices will be closed from 2 pm on December 20, 2024, and will reopen on January 6, 2025.

Warm regards,
The Pinion SA Team

Disclaimer:
The information supplied herein should not be used or relied upon as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact our office for specific and detailed advice. Any legal information presented is a precis of current legislation, is subject to change and should not be used as a substitute for detailed professional advice.

From the office of the CEO