Zenufa Group of Companies
Affordable, Accessible, Availing Zenufa Laboratories has replicated its early healthcare and manufacturing successes in DRC, into Tanzania and looks forward to the next stage of its geographical and product expansion Writer Matthew Staff Project Manager James Smith Rising from a small trading company in the DRC in 1976, the Zenufa Group of Companies has grown into a dynamic, medium sized, international conglomerate over the years to satisfy the emerging and diversified market demands within the East & Central African region. While also involved in business activities that reach as far as India and Canada, it is the company’s influence in the pharmaceutical industry from which it has made its name and built its strong reputation over the years; its migration into Tanzania being the business’s groundbreaking strategic move up to this point. “The Group has pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities located in two strategic locations within Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Kinshasa, and Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, with an additional ground distribution presence in five countries,” Zenufa Tanzania’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Harvinder Alag explains. In both cases, “the manufacturing facilities were founded with the primary objective of providing a wide variety of pharmaceutical preparations, manufactured under a hygienically controlled environment, with a promise of consistent guaranteed quality and affordability”, the CEO continues. Continuous Improvement The diversification of the wider Group, incorporating Zenufa Laboratories more than 15 years ago, has enabled the business to enforce its continuous improvement strategy throughout challenging market conditions, becoming a leading importer and distributor having represented a portfolio of prestigious global companies…
Tuskys
Pay Less, Get More Everyday Tuskys supermarkets are the most pronounced chain stores found in Nairobi city centre and the surrounding areas Writer Emily Jarvis Project Manager Callum Philp Supermarkets are rapidly penetrating urban food retail in Kenya and spreading well beyond their initial market niche among the urban middle class and into the food markets of lower-income groups. Having penetrated the processed and staple food markets much earlier and faster than fresh foods, they have recently begun to make inroads into the fresh fruits and vegetables category. East African supermarkets, such as Tuskys, already buy about half the volume of produce exported, and thus represent a significant new ‘dynamic market’ opportunity for farmers. The important changes in their procurement systems bring significant opportunities and challenges for small farmers, and have implications for agricultural diversification and rural development programmes and policies. African Supermarkets Supermarkets are very demanding customers. They require higher and more consistent quality, consistent year round delivery, larger volumes, more stringent payment terms, and so on. Suppliers who are successful in meeting these criteria face great growth opportunities, but those who can’t make the grade are likely to be dropped. As the market share of supermarkets in food retailing grows, the effects of this supplier rationalisation process will not be marginal. This has raised considerable concern on how small producers, processors, distributors and retailers will adapt. They may not adapt, leading to exclusion. Alternatively, some small firms and farms may adapt, through collective action, investments and learning, taking full advantage of the growth opportunities…
J.M.V. Textiles
A tight-knit focus on Customer Satisfaction JMV Textiles Group continues to invest and expand in line with its flexible, entrepreneurial approach to maintain its position as an industry leader Writer Matthew Staff Project Manager James Smith JMV Textiles Group has established itself as one of South Africa’s leading textiles and clothing manufacturers over the course of its 43-year history, but continues to overcome challenges and industry fluctuations through its dedication to customer satisfaction and an entrepreneurial spirit. In an industry which has seen numerous changes over the past 20 years, the company which started from humble beginnings has been forced to diversify, expand and invest over the years to ensure its ongoing success, and has done so to now comprise three subsidiaries; JMV Textiles Ltd, Polydye Ltd and Solar Sports Manufacturers Ltd. Upon its inception in 1971 the company ran as a small, circular knitted fabrics manufacturer with just one machine to its name, making its rise to current prominence all the more impressive. “JMV Textiles now manufactures knitted fabrics and offers screenprinting, dyeing and finishing,” the company states. “Polydye supplies polyester and nylon textured filament yarns - dyed and natural - as well as dyed acrylic, poly cotton, and cotton and viscose yarns. “Completing the picture, Solar Sport Manufactures ladies’ and men’s fashion and sportswear as well as men’s corporate wear.” Across the Group, the goals and ambitions remain the same, and have formed the crux of the business’s continuous improvement strategy throughout its development: to provide a quality service to customers in order to…
Lusitania Food Products
Positive thinking produces positive results Lusitania Food Products continues to increase and diversify its range of products to complement its equally flexible supply chain management strategyWriter Matthew Staff Project Manager Ben Wigger Lusitania Food Products is taking its ‘can-do’ attitude to a wider footprint than ever before as it continues to expand a business which has grown year-on-year in the southern African region since 1997. Bought by East London-based entrepreneur, Tony Cotterell more than 25 years ago, Lusitania Food Products started as a seafood wholesaler and has subsequently expanded its vast portfolio of products to become one of largest national frozen and chilled distributors in South Africa; comprising more than 1,000 lines of branded frozen meat and chicken products, vegetables and dairy goods under its remit. Adding desserts, pastries and cakes to the ever-growing list of offerings to the hospitality sector, Lusitania is now fully equipped to maintain its regional rise, and revenue growth targets, as Branch Manager, Lorette Kotze explains: “With a portfolio of over 1,000 products from a range of suppliers we are able to deliver quality products at competitive prices five days a week in the major cities and weekly in the outer lying areas. “Our growth in the last two years has been above market expectation, and with branches in Johannesburg, Durban & Cape Town, we have a wellestablished footprint in the sector.” A ‘can-do’ Approach Growth has traditionally been achieved within Lusitania via a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions of new customers and distributorships, building upon its extensive range…
Sangio Pipe
SA’s Leading Producer of HDPE Pipe Sangio Pipe is focussed on achieving a leading product coupled with exemplary customer service, which will in turn create a long lasting relationship with the end user Writer Emily Jarvis Project Manager James Smith For many years, Sangio Pipe ran as an entrepreneurial-type medium sized business. In 2013, the company’s previous Managing Director, Gary Warren, unfortunately passed away during the initial stages of a takeover deal with Dawn Group, leaving Sangio Pipe in limbo and without a leader. Now, with Chris Wright at the helm, the company is preparing for a long and prosperous future. “It has been a difficult two years for Sangio Pipe, however the restructure I have implemented is well underway, and I am successfully stabilising the company. Through consolidation of the solid foundations we already have and maintaining customer relationships, I am confident that Sangio Pipe will continue at the high levels it has been known for,” says Sangio Pipe’s new Managing Director. As a result of continued perseverance, the company hope to achieve a profit by the end of the current financial year. “We need to manage the changes so that we can continue to grow going forward. Through intensive training of our staff, we can make sure that the people we have know exactly what we want to achieve and what is involved in achieving our goals. “Being part of the Dawn Group is to be part of one of the top 100 companies in South Africa. To be part of such a group…
Bokamoso Private Hospital
Specialist Healthcare for a Developing Nation Lenmed Health Bokamoso Private Hospital brings a future of good health to thousands of people in the Southern Africa region Writer Emily Jarvis Project Manager Serge Utting Bokamoso Hospital is a facility owned by Bpomas and run by Lenmed Health, an organisation that also fronts hospitals and other medical health facilities in South Africa and Mozambique. Backed by this level of expertise, the hospital is able to bring together an array of industry specialities to offer patients access to state-of-the-art facilities that is matched by a world class service. Quality Healthcare at Affordable Rates With a mission to provide quality and affordable healthcare to all, Bokamoso remain the largest private specialist hospital in Botswana. “And in order to be able to enhance our status, we intend to open a physical rehabilitation centre in 2015, which will equip us to conduct open heart surgery in the private sector,” says Ruben Naidoo, CEO of Lenmed Health Bokamoso Private Hospital. Bokamoso Hospital has a clear target to cater to needs which had not previously been met in Botswana, a country which faces many challenges when it comes to health; burdened by HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The hospital is on the frontline and patients can expect the very best levels of treatment. Now, the facility is equipped with over 200 beds and boasts an incredible 60 specialists who are based permanently on site. Moreover, by choosing to use local suppliers, Bokamoso not only benefit…
Ghana Rubber Estates Ltd
Stretching Across West Africa GREL’s integration into the community has been successfully accompanied by the reinjection of profits to encourage growth Writer Emily Jarvis Project Manager James Smith Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) prides itself on its position as a truly Ghanaian company, fully embedded into the local community. Managing Director Lionel Barre has brought his extensive history in the natural rubber and agri-business sector in order to bring his international experience and in-depth product knowledge to Ghana, having previously spent 24 years with renowned tyre-maker Michelin, travelling the world through various management positions. When Ghana declared its independence from Britain, becoming the first country to free itself from colonial rule, GREL started its life in 1957 at a 923 hectare site known as Dixcove. In 1996, French management company, Société Internationale des Plantations d’ Heveas (SIPH), became a major shareholder of the company. Consolidation and Rehabilitation In the 1990s and the first part of the 2000’s, GREL shifted its focus towards consolidation and rehabilitation of the natural rubber plantations in Ghana, which had gained private interest from various tyre companies and the government of Ghana (25 percent shareholder), seeking a share in the organisation. Since then, GREL has grown considerably to a size of more than 20,000 hectares of estates and is now in Phase five of the outgrowing development and Phase two of factory extension. “Phase five will run for three years, financed by Agence Française of Développement for more than €17 million, during which time we will work with more than 4,000 outgrowers.…
Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital 2014
Unparalleled Specialists in Children’s healthcare A year on and Gerties continues its adventure, expanding its ever-growing reach across Kenya with the advent of outpatient clinics Writer Emily Jarvis Project Manager Serge Utting Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital is the largest hospital in East and Central Africa that is dedicated exclusively to the care of children. For over 65 years, the hospital has provided high standards of paediatric care for children right from birth to 21 years of age. CEO Gordon Odundo’s care and devotion to providing the best service possible to the country’s children is mirrored in the unparalleled level of care the hospital provides. I previously spoke to Gordon in issue 11 of Africa Outlook and in just twelve short months, the organisation has derived great success from the opening of the Chandaria Medical Centre (opened in November 2013), and its new ventures into developing outpatient clinics across the country. “As a result of the rise in bed occupancy numbers that we have seen this year – from 60 to 71 percent – we have diversified our offering by increasing our number of outpatient clinics, which means that ultimately, we can reach more people,” says the CEO. “The growth in bed occupancy numbers can be attributed to the opening of a surgical ward in the Chandaria wing. We set this up to iron out the processes involved in getting our patients prepped for theatre, and our doctors and nurses are very happy with the efficiencies this brings to the hospital.” The hospital, which is affectionately nicknamed ‘Gerties’,…
Auto Industrial Group
South Africa’s Leading Automotive Component Manufacturer The first port of call for all of South Africa’s major OEMs, Auto Industrial has established itself as a leading market player through ongoing investments and a commitment to quality Writer Chris Davies Project Manager James Smith For more than 40 years, Auto Industrial Group has been an integrated provider of machined and assembly, ductile and grey iron castings as well as hot steel forgings of various automotive components. With a total of five production facilities, which includes two machining plants, two foundries and one forge, Auto In dustrial’s capacity and competency serves all of the major automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) who assemble in South Africa. This extensive manufacturing footprint manages to produce approximately four million automotive components annually. Earlier this year, a change of ownership occurred at Auto Industrial. Previously the company operated within the ZF Group, a global manufacturer of transmission and steering systems as well as chassis components and axles. Auto Industrial was considered a non-core business and capital expenditure was very limited. With plans to expand and improve, Auto Industrial proposed that the business be sold and after a lengthy process, Trinitas Private Equity bought 70% of the company’s shares, and management 30% of the shares. This deal was effective from 1st January 2014. Gaining a Competitive Advantage Auto Industrial’s CEO Andrea Moz believes that the company’s ongoing investments, attention to detail and commitment to local businesses and communities make it stand out from industry rivals: “We continually invest in the latest technology and always…
Harlequin International Ghana
Setting the Benchmark for West African Engineering A company backed by a team of experienced, knowledgeable and dependable staff that provide value-add services to its product range Writer Emily Jarvis Project Manager Arron Rampling Harlequin International Ghana Limited (HIT) has an experienced, knowledgeable and dependable team who are at the forefront of your general mechanical and hydraulic engineering needs. Since formation in 1998, the company has been providing services in the mining, oil and gas, agriculture, and ports and harbour sectors. “Here at HIT we always find the best possible solutions available for our clients, we continuously motivate our staff to achieve their optimum level of productivity and together as a team we are always reaching for new heights,” says the company. With unrivalled capabilities within the engineering market, whether it is hydraulic, electrical or mechanical, Harlequin is able to provide added value to its products and services. “At HIT no job will be taken on unless it is known for sure that the work will be accomplished resulting in complete customer satisfaction.” The company has worked on crucial Ghanaian turn-key projects, which have been completed efficiently and to a high standard whilst remaining cost effective. After investing 1.5 million dollars in specialised equipment, Harlequin continues to grow its status as the preferred supplier in all industries in which it operates. As a distributor and supplier of a wide product offering from companies such as Krost shelving, Hyva, Linde, Toolquip, Enerpac, Gedore, Rigid and Aeroquip, Harlequin remains the go-to name for a host of industries. It…
