A BLACK EMPOWERMENT company has won the 2003 Eastern Cape exporter of the year award by breaking into a specialist textile sector that has been dominated by a small number of companies around the world. BreatheTex is a successful result of the commercialisation of lamination technology developed by the Port Elizabeth – based textiles division of the Council For Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The technology enables the lamination of lightweight, breathable films to textile fabrics to produce high performance, waterproof breathable materials. Applications include operating gowns, firemen’s uniforms, laboratory coats and rain jackets. Customers include the Turkish Police Force, and the UK Ministry of Defence has also expressed interest. Career development plans are in place for each of its small staff complement and clear internal and external affirmative targets. Top management is encouraged to devote time and effort to the promotion of SME development in and outside the Nelson Mandela Metro. Category winners were Indirect Exporter: Shatterprufe (automotive glass): Sustained Growth: SJM Flex (manufacturer of auto exhaust components): Perishables: Balobi Trading (Calamari exports); Entrepreneurial: The Rainbow Hut Colour Corporation; and Services: W E Deane SA.