Better Every Day: How Barloworld is Building a Sustainable Future Through People, Purpose and Progress

Barloworld’s story is one of transformation grounded in purpose. From empowering entrepreneurs and driving inclusivity to fostering conscious leadership and environmental responsibility, the company continues to redefine what it means to do business with a human heartbeat. Every initiative reflects a belief that growth must be shared, sustainability must be intentional, and progress must uplift everyone it touches.

Through the Siakhula Programme, Barloworld is changing the face of supplier development in South Africa. The initiative identifies and supports emerging businesses with the potential to supply goods and services to Barloworld’s operations. By offering funding, mentorship, and continuous training, Siakhula gives small businesses more than financial access. It provides opportunity, structure, and long-term support. Entrepreneurs grow from independent operators into established industry players, creating jobs, expanding local economies, and proving that meaningful empowerment builds lasting impact.

The results of this approach are visible across industries. Local companies once operating on a small scale now provide engineering, mechanical, and supply services to Barloworld and its partners. Many have grown their staff complements, invested in new equipment, and entered broader markets. Each business tells a story of resilience and partnership, where support translates directly into employment, dignity, and community growth. Siakhula is not simply about compliance or corporate obligation. It is about enabling transformation that endures.

Barloworld’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its supply chain. Inside the organisation, wellness and conscious leadership are core to how people work and grow. Employees are supported through well-being programmes that focus on emotional, physical, and mental health. Wellness ambassadors across sites serve as safe points of contact, ensuring that staff have the space and support they need to thrive. This culture of care reinforces the company’s values, creating workplaces where people are not only productive but fulfilled.

Leadership development is another cornerstone of Barloworld’s philosophy. Through programmes such as SEED, executives and senior managers are equipped with the skills to lead ethically and sustainably. Training modules in governance, environmental awareness, and personal mastery cultivate leaders who understand that every decision has an impact on people, communities, and the planet. The goal is to build a generation of leaders who leave people and spaces better than they found them.

Environmental stewardship runs through Barloworld’s operations. The company’s rebuild centres extend the life of heavy equipment components, reducing waste, energy use, and emissions while saving costs for customers. On-site sustainability measures, including solar installations, water conservation systems, and waste reduction initiatives, further reinforce its circular economy model. These actions are not symbolic gestures but integrated practices that align business growth with environmental responsibility.

At the heart of it all is people development. Through its learning academies and technical training programmes, Barloworld creates pathways for young South Africans to enter skilled trades in industries once dominated by men. Apprenticeships and on-the-job training build confidence, technical expertise, and pride, ensuring that every person who joins the company has the opportunity to build a meaningful career.

Barloworld’s journey is one of balance, between purpose and profit, progress and preservation. Its focus on people, planet, and performance continues to drive a vision of a sustainable, inclusive South Africa where businesses grow not in isolation, but together with the communities they serve.