Stainless Steel magazine spoke to Wendy Turton, the CEO of Elcarbo Industrial Supplies, one of South Africa’s leading suppliers of consumable materials for the manufacturing and fabrication sectors. Wendy is a notable Cape Town business woman and leader in the industry. Her businesses have proven her successful commitment to female transformation in the sector.
Wendy studied a B PHYS ED at Wits University and started working in the pharmaceutical industry in sales and marketing. She has had extensive sales and marketing training in the pharmaceutical industry both locally and internationally.
She has been with her partner for the past 13 years and they only have four legged children.
YOU ARE A VERY SUCCESSFUL WOMAN IN A MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY, WHERE DID YOU START AND WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE YOUR SUCCESS TO?
We started Elcarbo Industrial Supplies in April 1999. We had no clue about the industry or Cape Town for that matter as we were from Johannesburg. Our success can be attributed to a focus on people, which includes our staff and our customers. I believe that you need to
focus on what matters to people and the rest will come automatically.
We also made sure that our staff were well educated on product knowledge and customer service.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
I love watching people grow and assisting them in achieving for themselves what they never imagined they could do.
WHEN HAVE YOU BEEN MOST SATISFIED IN YOUR LIFE?
I am happiest right now, I have a loving partner, my health and a business full of people achieving great things every day.
WHO DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR ROLE MODEL, AND WHY?
Both my parents – they not only taught me honesty, integrity and that you need to work at life to gain satisfaction but they also live by those values.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED DURING YOUR CAREER AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCES?
To never be arrogant; things can change in a moment so always strive to be better.
WHAT IS SOMETHING NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I have jumped out of an aeroplane.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU AREN’T WORKING?
I play golf, run, do pilates and read.
IF YOU WERE TO CHOOSE AN ALTERNATIVE LIFE, WHAT CAREER WOULD YOU HAVE FOLLOWED?
Medicine. I am fascinated by the human body.
WHY STAINLESS STEEL?
We were introduced to sassda very early and have used it as a networking platform. Because we made it our business to educate ourselves we very
soon became the go-to business in Cape Town to solve stainless steel finishing problems.