SAS Institute SA last week presented 45 of its customers with awards in recognition of their outstanding loyalty and contribution to the growth of the company during its first decade of business in SA.

The company, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in SA this year, was the top performing SAS subsidiary in the world for 2004, with the greatest percentage growth.

SAS Institute SA's Managing Director, Bill Hoggarth attributes its success to the invaluable support of its customers and a dedicated team of passionate employees.

"The ICT industry as a whole, both locally and abroad, has had a tough time in recent years. The ability to deliver real value to customers, alongside innovative and world-class products and services, was key to retaining their business and ensuring our own success.

"Just looking at the number of customers who have chosen to continue doing business with SAS, some of them for over 25 years, is testimony that our focus on driving value and building long-term business relationships has delivered results," says Hoggarth.

Among the local companies that received SAS Institute SA Longstanding Customer Awards was the Human Sciences Research Council - which has been a SAS customer for 28 years. Engen Petroleum Limited (ex Mobil) received an award for 26 years of SAS usage, and the University of the North-West received awards for being valued a customer for the past 24 years.

Standard Bank Limited, FirstRand Bank Limited (ex Barclays), Anglogold Ashanti Limited and Absa Bank Limited (ex Trust Bank, Volkskas, Perm and United Banks), were also recognised for their 22 years of loyalty to SAS.