A celebratory story from the Andermatt PHP team
Andermatt PHP is one of ten manufacturing companies within the Andermatt Group. Based in Dargle Valley, KZN, South Africa, with a staff complement of sixty-six people, this team includes multiple doctorate and masters’ colleagues.
Whilst one may expect research and science-based companies to be serious and boring, Andermatt PHP is quite the contrary. The company takes team building activities seriously, and makes the most of every opportunity to celebrate local Heritage and public holiday activities, participates in local corporate events and places a high priority on just connecting and having fun, together.
This year, their year end celebration set the bar at a whole new level. Inspired by the global reach and growth of their key customers, all part of the greater Andermatt Group, CEO Dr Kristy le Voy, decided to introduce each country to the team, as most of them will probably never get to travel and visit these areas. Each station included a tasting of local cuisine as well as an activity, traditional and typical of each country.
- South Africa: Andermatt Madumbi
- Rooibos tea, Ouma rusks, chilli bites and biltong. The activity ‘Bokdrol spoeg’ (Kudu dung/poo spitting’ ensured a healthy amount of giggles and gagging!
- Greece: Andermatt Anthesis
- Feta cheese, olives and Ouzo tasting, with an Olympic themed series of activities including sack racing and javelin throwing.
- Brazil: Andermatt Brazil
- Brazil nuts, pineapples and Carnival. Of course, you can’t feature Brazil and not include soccer, so the ever popular Zorb soccer activity made a reappearance.
- Canada: Andermatt Canada
- It had to be Canadian pancakes with genuine maple syrup, from our colleagues at Andermatt Canada. The activity was air hockey with a race to see who could get the most goalie shots!
- Kenya: Andermatt Kenya
- Coffee, coffee, coffee with iced Kenyan coffee being a popular option on the sunny day. The activity was ‘Masaai jumping’ in red, with finger tips dipped in cacoa powder. Who knew?
- Then last, but not least: Switzerland: Andermatt Biocontrol Suisse
- Swiss chocolate at it’s best, with a chocolate fondue and chilli dipping challenge. The activity was particularly challenging: Guess the use of the Swiss Army knife gadgets.
Groups were assigned randomly, rotating between the country stations every 20 – 30 minutes. The activities ensured a fabulous day was had by all, which included a healthy dose of competitiveness amongst all staff members. After the fun and games, the team enjoyed a fabulous South African favourite – lamb on the spit, the meal was enjoyed in the company’s big shed, which is due to be developed in 2025.