For the first time under Congolese management, PHC had a successful year in 2021. The company achieved production of 47 tonnes of CPO (Oil Palm), compared to 547 tonnes in 42, an increase of 558 %. To share in the prosperity created by PHC's business in 2020, the company inaugurated an annual awards ceremony, dubbed the "PHC Awards", to celebrate the employees who made 12's success possible.
Award categories ranged from Best Fruit Picker to Best Site Manager, a recognition that every employee contributes to the company's success. The 23 winners were selected on the basis of criteria adapted to their particular function through a two-step system: first by a committee at each site (Lokutu, Yaligimba, and Boteka) led by its respective site director, and second by the Awards committee based in Kinshasa.
« All winners have an envelope that varies from the most important who is the site manager to the fruit picker. Everyone receives a nice envelope that will remain a souvenir of the PHC, that's the goal. It's not just a nice poster with a souvenir, but there's also compensation. There is a financial impact that is linked to this price »
Mrs. Monique Gieskes, Managing Director of PHC
The awards were presented by a distinguished group of guests, investors and PHC leaders, including:
- Her Excellency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development Madame Eve Bazaiba
- Chairman of the Board of Directors of PHC Mr. Georges Buse
- PHC shareholder Mr. Kalaa Mpinga
- Managing Director of PHC Ms. Monique Gieskes
- PHC shareholder Mr. Wale Adeosun
Although the main awards ceremony took place in Kinshasa, the three PHC sites also held their own concurrent awards ceremonies to recognize outstanding annual site-level performance. The three sites even joined in the Kinshasa celebration via live streaming, which was screened in the hall in Kinshasa.
Since the establishment of a new management and a new policy in February 2021, PHC has made many advances which not only contribute to the improvement of the conditions of industrial production, but substantially benefit local communities and in particular the quality of life of employees. The company began the tradition of employee recognition in August 2021 with monthly Awards to recognize employee efforts. These monthly Awards reward and value the company's employees for the first time in its 111 years of existence. A far cry from the colonial days of PHC, today the company seeks to reward, recognize, and honor employees.