Spark ATM Systems managing director Marc Sternberg was honoured as the overall winner of the 2011 Sanlam/Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® Awards. Over 350 entrepreneurs, with businesses ranging from engineering, manufacturing, communications and farming, took part in this year’s competition.
Sternberg founded Spark ATM Systems in 2005 and the company has grown from humble beginnings into a national organisation with operational, sales and technical capabilities across South Africa. Today it employs 82 people and deployes convenience ATMs in retail, petroleum, convenience and hospitality locations.
“I am deeply honoured to have received this accolade,” says Sternberg. “I believe that entrepreneurs should be celebrated and entrepreneurship developed and nurtured in South Africa, so this award is very important to me.”
At the gala awards dinner held in Johannesburg, Sternberg accepted the award on behalf of the entire company. “Their total commitment to our mission has made Spark ATM Systems the incredible and dynamic company that it is today. Our company culture is one of passion, innovation and entrepreneurship and each and every one of our team contributed enormously towards me winning this prestigious accolade. I will therefore be sharing a significant portion of the R100 000 cash prize with my fellow employees at Spark ATM Systems.”
Sternberg is passionate about the work entrepreneurs are doing to further the economic and social goals of South Africa. According to Business Partners, SMEs contribute as much as 50% of South Aftica’s GDP, employ more than 60% of the country’s labour force and create over 65% of South Africa’s new jobs. “This is a contribution that must be recognised and encouraged,” says Sternberg.
About Spark ATM Systems
Spark ATM Systems is South Africa’s premier independent ATM provider, deploying convenience Automated Teller Machines (‘ATMs’) in retail, convenience and hospitality locations across South Africa.
Established in 2005, Spark ATM Systems has grown from humble beginnings into a national organisation with sales and technical capabilities across South Africa. From our headquarters in Cape Town, our Head Office team co-ordinates the sales, installation, maintenance, monitoring, reporting and call-centre requirements for our ever-growing network of ATMs.
Contact Details
Kirsten Veenstra
Marketing and Communications
Spark ATM Systems
Telephone: + 27 21 418 3330
Mobile: + 27 82 926 3932
Email: kirsten@sparkatm.co.za
Website: www.sparkatm.co.za