SPOTLIGHT: Tandy Coleman, Polyflor CEO
In the heart of South Africa's construction landscape, Polyflor stands as a testament to family legacy and resilience. With roots tracing back to the late 1950s, the journey of Polyflor South Africa reflects a rich tapestry of dedication, passion, and innovation.
" Polyflor South Africa is the only place I belong and as it is a legacy of three generations "
As we celebrate Women’s Day and Month in RSA, we delve into the inspiring story of Tandy Coleman, who has not only continued her family's legacy but has also shaped her own path in a traditionally male-dominated field. Her story offers valuable insights into the evolution of women’s roles in construction and the personal and professional challenges she has overcome.
Can you share your journey into the construction industry and what inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
Poly Sales Africa, or as it’s better known, Polyflor South Africa, has been in my family for over 30 years, or more depending on where you start counting.
It started originally when my grandfather Louis Coleman brought the Polyflor brand to South Africa in the late 1950s. There is a long story but in essence all the vinyl flooring suppliers were bought out by Marley flooring in the late 1960s to early 70s and a 20-year restraint of trade was placed on using the brand name in South Africa.
At the time both my father and my uncle were working in the business and my grandfather had already passed away. My father, Denver Coleman left Marley flooring after a few years and pursued careers in other parts of the construction industry and eventually in the wood flooring industry. We had remained in touch with the Halstead family at Polyflor UK, so after the 20-year restraint ran out they once again approached Denver to try and rebuild the brand in South Africa.
So, I guess it was always in my blood to be in the construction / flooring industry. I remember going to the Polyflor office as a little girl, they had a spiral staircase leading up to their offices, just like a princess castle, and a real parrot which fascinated me. In my heart, I could feel it was a place my Dad was always proud to be part of. It seemed the natural thing to do when Mom and Dad set about reintroducing Polyflor into the market to join them in the business. I was proud to be part of the journey. My Dad is a natural problem solver and salesman, and he was determined to put Polyflor back on the map in SA. Mom was the organiser, detail orientated and the admin driving force behind him.
I joined them to build the accounting side and processes in the business. It was just the three of us working out of their home for many years and we all did whatever it took to get things done. Our family dogs were always underfoot and as they were born my children grew up around Polyflor.
It took us a while to get going but slowly we edged into the market and soon began to grow. I took a break from the family business between 2004 and 2009 to gain some outside experience and grow my wings in some different aspects of my life. I also think in part I needed to prove to myself that I could run a business on my own.
I returned in 2009 to start taking over the reigns from my dad. Certainly not an easy task and very big shoes to fill. However, having spent so many years in the business I had learned most aspects of the business from my previous stint, and was well mentored by my Dad and Pieter du Plessis, our Operations Director at the time.
It would be easy to say … and the “rest is history” but it has been a journey of learning, growing, and building of both the business, myself, and my team. It is a tough industry, and we face many challenges daily but as a Coleman, Polyflor South Africa is the only place I belong and as it is a legacy of three generations, it is an honour to head it up as CEO.
What have been some of your most significant achievements or projects that you are particularly proud of in your career?
I personally don’t think there is anything that I can take credit for on my own. The best and most significant achievements are always a team effort. I would have to say what I am most proud of is the team we have built at Polyflor.
Over the years we have carefully chosen people who not only have the right skills but also have the right ethics and values that we as a company hold dear. While we have some fabulous gentlemen on our team, we are largely a staff of phenomenal woman.
For me, the family culture and the ethos that drives us is everything. After Covid and for the first time in many years we had quite a significant staff turnover and I am super proud of the team we have now. I think they are strong, smart and determined and yet kind, caring and dedicated to making our clients happy. We are well set to achieve great things.
I am also always very proud of the beautiful CSR projects that we do because I believe in giving back to the industries that have helped us grow and helping communities to have better healthcare and education.
What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in the construction industry, and how have you overcome them?
I don’t know that there are unique challenges within the industry, I think we all face many challenges. The first challenge I faced was possibly less about being a woman, although it definitely played a part, but more about being “the daughter”. It was assumed I was just given my role because I was family, and it was very hard to prove my worth and knowledge to the industry. It took years of interacting with people within the industry to earn my own reputation and in part I still think some people see me only as “Denver’s daughter”.
The construction industry can be very male dominated and in some ways a “boy’s club”, but I do think there are so many more women within the industry now that it is changing. For me it is about knowing your clients. If my client is more comfortable to be himself with one of the guys, then let the guys on the team deal him. After all we want a happy client. I think it works both ways; female clients may be more comfortable dealing with a woman and others may not be bothered.
I suppose for me being a woman means I can mix business and emotion, and I care a great deal, so when things go wrong, I find it difficult to separate the two. I have to ensure I remove my emotional attachments in order to make a solid business decision which is sometimes hard. I think men do that with much more ease.
" On the flip side though I think woman add care, nurture and a softer approach to business, a balance which is always good "
How do you see the role of women evolving in the construction industry, and what changes would you like to see to support more women in this field?
There are many women in the construction industry today and in all roles within the industry. Traditional roles are changing fast. In terms of changes, I still think that an understanding of the role women play within their family and more especially as mothers is often difficult to balance with work.
It is important to connect with them and understand how and what they are juggling. We can often make small adjustments within their working day or environment that can make a huge difference to them, be it flexible hours, sick days when children are sick or being able to work from home at times. I think these factors are often overlooked.
What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in construction or other traditionally male-dominated industries
Be yourself, you don’t have to behave like a man. Being a woman brings with it so many beautiful skills
" you are just as smart, just as dedicated, and just as good, so just be you! "
As we honour women in the construction industry during Women’s Day and Month, Tandy Coleman exemplifies how family legacy and personal determination can drive significant change.
Her journey from a young girl captivated by her family’s business to a leading figure in the industry underscores the power of persistence, adaptability, and authenticity. By embracing her unique strengths and fostering a supportive work environment, she continues to pave the way for future generations of women in construction.
Her story is a powerful reminder that success in any field is not just about breaking barriers but also about building a lasting impact.
A special thanks to Tandy Coleman (LinkedIn) for your inspiration, www.polyflor.co.za
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