The Directors of Lee Botti & Associates (LBA) have announced the decision to close the business after 49 years of service to the travel and logistics industries.
In a statement announcing the closure, the company said: “As a national recruitment agency servicing the travel and logistics industries, we have not just been a service provider but have been very fortunate to be part of two very special industries.”
Lee Botti founded the company in 1977 after identifying a need among companies looking for staff. Her passion for helping people laid the foundation for a business that changed many people’s lives.
“The business grew during a time when recruitment was very different to what we see nowadays. It was all about relationships, trust and deals being done on a gentleman’s handshake. We feel honoured to be part of people and businesses growing, where our candidates became clients and clients became candidates, and we have been privileged to be in these two dynamic industries,” the company said.
Over the years, the LBA family included Lee’s daughters Kim, Jill and Sabina along with staff who contributed to sustaining and building a reputable brand. “We are very grateful to the team: some long-service and others who have returned. Their passion and dedication has been greatly appreciated and we thank them all,” the company said.
“We have celebrated many milestones over decades and are able to take away wonderful memories. We have represented a number of organisations such as Exporters, SKAL, CIETT and APSO to name a few. We developed the Clearing & Forwarding Salary Survey, which was a useful tool to the industry for over 30 years and our special iThuba workshop providing guidance to over 14 000 school learners and preparing them for the working world.”
“Since COVID, we have seen a shift in the world with so many factors such as AI and technology playing a role in the recruitment landscape changing. We have loved the people aspect of this business and are privileged to have had decades of success. It is now time for a new era to move forward and we would like to say our heartful thank you to all our clients and candidates for your support and the wonderful memories over the years. Though we will be watching from the sidelines, we continue to support the travel and the logistics industries who add invaluable contributions to the South African economy,” the company said.
Lee Botti & Associates will cease operations from April 30.
