Issue 42
Medtech Angola
Evolving with the Pace of ChangeWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Donovan Smith Guided by a vision and mission that has seen the Company through times of wider economic and political instability, Medtech Angola has adopted a continuous improvement strategy that combines international best practices with the national resources required to prosper in an ever-changing market.Now focused on strengthening its partnerships and diversifying its client portfolio in line with the relevant products and services to suit a wider range of customer needs, the Company has to strike a balance between cutting costs while monitoring market trends to stand out in an increasingly demanding business landscape, strongly impacted by the current global downturn.“Founding the Company during a time of political instability in 1991, we quickly learned how crucial it was to adapt to both the local constrains and opportunities,” says César Assis, Chief Executive Officer (CEO). “After the war, the Government made substantial investments in order to streamline the economy. During this time, Medtech grew and increased its portfolio, striving to be known as an Angolan turnkey solutions Company serving a wide range of customers, including the Governmental and oil & gas sectors, which we ultimately were able to accomplish through a proactive approach to business and subsequent strategic restructuring.”Medtech’s Chief Operations Officer (COO), Ari Sanches offers: “In Angola everything happens very fast. One day you are constrained by a war and in the other you are in the middle of a development boom. Those changes make you develop and adapt expeditiously. In 2010, our major capital investments began and we achieved…
Capespan South Africa Pty Ltd
A Fresh Fruit FocusWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Joshua Mann Delivering exceptional fruit straight from the orchard and right on to the shelves of the world’s retail, wholesale and food service partners, Capespan’s Outspan, Cape and Goldland brands are synonymous with fruit quality, and the business is looking to leverage such prominence as it looks to broader triumphs in the future.Covering more than 60 countries on four continents via its ever-widening export footprint, the global name in fresh produce has established itself in every new country of operation over the years and South Africa is no different; optimising the same procurement, marketing and export standards that have been achieved elsewhere around the world, while embedding a strong local emphasis via partnerships with almost 200 SA growers.Subsequently reducing supply chain costs and securing the shortest route to market for optimum fruit value across all of its customers, the business has formulated an overall offering that is difficult for others to contend with within the market.“Underscoring our service to producers is our wealth of market experience,” the Company states. “This includes interpreting customer demands, transferring demands into packing specifications, ensuring fruit quality, and assisting on accreditations, certifications and auditing of pack houses and farms. In addition, we have a self-audit system for environmental issues, as well as safety and health specifications.“Thanks to our state-of-the-art IT systems, producers can enjoy the advantage of an integrated reporting programme with full supply chain visibility via a B2B web portal, ongoing feedback and tracking the fruit through the chain.”Capespan South Africa ultimately takes the stresses and…
GOGO Fruit | EKM Exports
The Quest for Fruit ExcellenceWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Joshua Mann Guided by the ultimate objective to vertically integrate its supply chain, GOGO is on a mission to provide the best service to both local growers and buyers in all corners of the world. Known for the unrivalled quality and consistency of its fruit produce – epitomised by its reputation for delivering ‘the Rolls-Royce of fruit’ – the GOGO brand continues to stand strong and exceed customer expectation through strategic investment in its key processes and the equipment required to stay head and shoulders above the competition.GOGO’s ownership structure mirrors its founding philosophies of trust, local partnerships and putting the power back into the hands of the farmer. Consisting of five producing companies, some with shared ownership structures – namely EL Sundew Farming, Tian Kruger Farming, JJ Gouws Farming, Nyawa Farming and JFK Farming – all supported by a marketing, procurement, cold chain, logistics and export chain, the Company is able to engender a close-knit, transparent relationship between its customers and the business; while ensuring an ongoing supply of quality fruit all year round.Eben Kruger, Director at GOGO and Managing Director of EKM Exports affirms: “Success for us is a combination of many things but at its core is quality fruit and relationships with our buyers all over the world. From our facilities in South Africa, we have achieved a strong local and international presence across Africa, Canada, EU member states, the UK, the Middle East and Asia. Today, we are one of the preferred brands for many retailers and…
Denau
Focused & FreshWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Joshua Mann The production and export of both grapes and citrus products has distinguished South African-based fruit farming Company, Denau within a competitive market over the decades, and it is now looking towards conservative profits to ensure long-term success through innovation and careful custodianship.The producer, packer and exporter working out of Hex River Valley, 140 kilometres northeast of Cape Town, has thrived from origins which date back to the mid-1800s; instilling a flexibility within the business that can only derive from in-house expertise comprising its own packing, sorting and cooling facilities.Arguably the business’ greatest asset though emanates from the consistency and dedication that is achieved through being a family business; the current incumbent of which – Managing Director (MD), Fanie Naudé – realising all too well how much of a competitive advantage tradition and heritage can be in the agricultural sector.“Denau is a family fruit farming business and is currently managed by the fifth and sixth generation of the Naudé family that has farmed in the Hex River Valley since 1841,” he notes. “Our receivers are mainly in the EU and the UK now and over time we have built up a remarkable business relationship with a shortlist of highly valued, reliable receivers.“However, much of the expansion and consolidation of today’s Denau has been implemented by Pieter Naudé, the current chairman, since the 1980s. He started farming in 1976 on the Welgemoed farm with 28 hectares of table grapes, and through the acquisition of more farming units – over time – the farming…
KCB Group Limited
Going DigitalWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Nick Norris KCB Group Limited is moving away from the traditional banking formula in a bid to engage with the region’s youthful population and bring simple mobile banking and financial inclusion services to the customer’s fingertips.Driven by the accelerating popularity of mobile money – and subsequent financial inclusion services to simplify both short-term borrowing and long-term savings – KCB has been at the epicentre of entrepreneurship and economic expansion in Kenya and the surrounding regions for the past 120 years; with units across Tanzania, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia. With an industry-leading asset base of US$5.6 billion across the KCB Group, the Company continues to align its digital strategy with global best practices across all its subsidiaries and associate companies; including KCB Insurance Agency, KCB Capital, KCB Foundation.“According to 2015 statistics, more than 50 percent of Kenya’s population are under 25,” writes Joshua Oigara, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KCB Group. “With this in mind, we have focused on the youth and tailored our services to remain relevant in an environment where customers want more control over their finances and more accessibility; all achieved through the use of technology.”Enabling customers to access their account and transact on-the-go, the KCB App is now among the best performing apps in the country today, having been downloaded 100,000 times since 2014. Digital future – togetherFashioning its products and services around the latest technology as part of a wider digital strategy, KCB has built the largest network in East Africa; comprised of more than 260 branches, 962…
African Trade Insurance Agency
Taking the Risk Out of AfricaWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Stuart Parker Established in 2001 to support trade and investments across African member countries, African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI)’s 15 years of prominence has taken on extra importance in recent years following a revised membership strategy; a tact which is set to succeed by virtue of its on-the-ground presence across each operating nation.Providing political risk and trade credit insurance products with the objective of reducing the risk and cost of doing business in Africa, the Company now comprises 10 full members – Benin, Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia - and its facilitation of FDIs, export opportunities and trade avenues is making it an increasingly rich prospect for new members too.“A revised membership strategy that now incorporates partners such as the African Development Bank is expected to yield three new members within the next year - Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe - with more West African countries expected to follow in the near term thanks to a partnership that was formalised in 2015 with West Africa’s ECOWAS (The Economic Community of West African States),” explains the Company’s CEO, George Otieno. “In addition to African countries, our other shareholders include the African Development Bank; Atradius; SACE, the Italian Export Credit Agency (ECA); and UK Export Finance, the British ECA.“Our products have adapted over the years to try to fill gaps in the market. For example, when Kenya’s 2008 elections left a wake of destruction, insurers were unable to compensate victims of the violence. With our connections to…
Universal Corporation Ltd
Improving the Quality of Human LifeWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Stuart Parker Universal Corporation Ltd (UCL) is playing a vital role in Africa in reducing the continent’s reliance on imports in the healthcare sector; subsequently helping to create an environment of self-sufficiency across central and eastern regions in particular.Based in Nairobi, the 20-year old Kenyan pharmaceutical manufacturing Company has been integral to the country’s strive for excellence and internalisation since its inception, accredited as a consequence by some of the leading authorities in the industry, and ultimately pushing towards an end goal of ensuring quick, affordable and sustained access for the population to much needed medication.Currently manufacturing more than 100 formulations of human medicines, UCL’s strong focus on quality and in improving its portfolio at an affordable rate has set it apart in the country and, following a 51 percent acquisition by Strides Cyprus Limited in 2016, the ability to push forward with such a defining and enriching goal has been brought even more concertedly to the fore.Founder and Managing Director (MD), Perviz ‘Palu’ Dhanani explains: “We are now present in 22 African countries with marketing representatives in a further six. Some of our products are even supplied as far afield as Afghanistan and all of our operations come down to playing a vital role in strengthening the need for these countries to rely less on imports and to create self-sufficiency instead; to create local employment, nurture local talent, contribute towards improving the economy, and to enhance African pride.”“The long-term plan of the Company is to expand its specialty lines…
Suzuki Auto South Africa
A Suzuki Way of LifeWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Kane Weller Recognised earlier this year for its exceptional sales performance by the Company’s distributors and its dealers, Suzuki Auto South Africa (SASA) is keeping a close eye on the everyday needs of consumers in order to maintain a competitive value proposition that takes care of motor vehicles over their entire lifecycle.Monitoring these industry trends since the founding as a direct subsidiary of SMC in South Africa in 2008, Suzuki Auto has pushed-on with an aggressive expansion programme, which saw its dealer network grow from 23 in 2013, to 44 in 2016.“Launching vehicles at regular intervals up until 2014, Suzuki became the second fastest growing brand in South Africa, setting us in good stead for 2015,” recalls Yukio Sato, SASA’s Managing Director (MD). The following 12 months saw us mount a strong sales drive that coincided with the growth of our dealer network and the introduction of exciting new products such as the Celerio, Ciaz and the new Vitara. This sales drive has helped Suzuki to outperform its peers in some segments in an otherwise declining market.”He adds: “In recognition of our expansion efforts, we subsequently took home top honours in the regional Suzuki Auto Sales Awards in February as well as receiving the runner-up prize for the sales growth award.”Pitted against the strong competition of Suzuki distributors across Africa, the Middle East and Indian subcontinent, it was Suzuki Auto South Africa’s significant investment in capital and local personnel that made it stand out from the other operations.Customer satisfactionAside from this…
Fuchs Lubricants South Africa
Lubricants. Technology. PeopleWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Eddie Clinton FUCHS Lubricants South Africa brings German manufacturing expertise to a highly lucrative regional market, and is looking to further compound its ongoing prominence on the continent via a host of acquisitions, expansions, facility enhancements and enrichment initiatives.As a subsidiary of FUCHS Petrolub SE - the largest independent manufacturer of specialist lubricants in the world - the Company’s ability to replicate such market success further afield should come as no surprise; but the ability to instil a local feel within an international environment is no mean feat, especially in Southern Africa.However, this is where an unparalleled product range and supply chain footprint comes into its own as the Company looks to hone in on its core goals of establishing itself as the foremost supplier of ultra-high quality and specialised lubricants to the automotive, mining and industrial sectors, backed up by highly trained lubrication specialists.“FUCHS Lubricants South Africa offers the best of high quality German products, manufactured with only the highest quality mineral and synthetic base oils, and additive packages,” the Company states.National Commercial Sales Manager, Mitch Launspach adds: “FUCHS has an exceptionally wide range of products available in our portfolio, comprising the original Wm. Penn range of automotive products for vehicle owners wanting a decent quality oil at an affordable price, as well as the top-tier TITAN range of automotive products; many of which carrying a wide range of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) approvals.“In fact, FUCHS is arguably the largest supplier of lubricants to automotive aftermarket and industrial manufacturers of original equipment…
African Underground Mining Services
A Model of Excellence Continent-WideWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Arron Rampling African Underground Mining Services (AUMS) is celebrating almost 10 years in Africa via a series of ongoing, forthcoming and prospective projects – continent-wide – which are set to cement the Company’s prominence in numerous regions’ mining domains; compounded by a nationalisation strategy that is set to ensure long-term sustainability for the business.While the industry situation has left much to be desired globally, AUMS’ business model uniquely positions itself to benefit in times such as these, taking the pressure off organisations looking to move into the continent via a plethora of different outsourced operators, by offering a value-for-money, quick, mobile, one-stop shop gateway into the continent.As such, the Company’s success over the years – since moving into Africa via a joint venture in 2007 – has derived from its success in carrying out underground mining contracts for both local and international clients looking to formulate quick and holistic works with a limited physical presence on the ground themselves.The past 12 months especially have epitomised this ability and thesubsequent prominence that AUMS has been able to establish across both West and East Africa; with two defining projects underway, and a third on the horizon.“2015 was pretty good for AUMS. We won three of the four contracts available for the Group – including new projects in both Tanzania and Ghana – as well as achieving internal growth at our other sites previously touched upon last year,” affirms the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Blair Sessions. “We have embarked on an intensive capital…
Namcor
Creating Value through Strategic InvestmentWriter: Emily JarvisProject Manager: Josh Hyland By adopting a strategy of consolidation to foster a stricter focus on financial performance and Namibia’s energy needs, NAMCOR is hoping to create value through the discharge of its mandate as the national oil company in a bid to remain sustainable during the oil crisis.Oil prices have dropped significantly while dealer margins and fuel levies in Namibia are on the rise, as NAMCOR’s Chairperson, Johannes Gawaxab alluded to in the Company’s recent annual report: “In every crisis innovation is born. The oil price has dropped significantly during the review period due to sluggish global growth, while Namibia is entering a period where it needs to make important decisions regarding its future energy needs and in particular regarding the development of the Kudu Gas-to-Power project.”Focusing on prioritising projects, operational excellence and governance, the Company is showing good progress consolidating its upstream and downstream activities while retaining a strong value proposition to its partners across various market sectors; including mining, construction, commercial road transport, manufacturing and agriculture.“NAMCOR’s operating environment remained rather challenging...with a decline in crude oil prices as a result of continued growth in global inventories. Our operations were also affected by the fall in oil prices. Global economic activity and volatility in exchange rates also added their fair share to some of the uncertainty in the current environment,” said Gawaxab.“ the country needs to make crucial investment decisions regarding its energy needs.”Kudu Gas-to-Power projectLeveraging its diverse range of skills and longstanding partnerships in the upstream segment, NAMCOR has placed…
Zuva Petroleum
Energy EverydayWriter: Matthew StaffProject Manager: Josh Hyland More than 80 years of tradition and lineage has transcended into a more recent six years of industry dominance in Zimbabwe, as Zuva Petroleum looks to capitalise on its position as one of the continent’s leading integrated energy companies.Incorporated initially in 1969 under the trading name, BP & Shell, the rich petroleum heritage that comes attached with names of such repute has set the tone for the evolution that has occurred in the decades following, and following a rebranding in 20151 - as a result of both brands leaving the Zimbabwean market - an era for Zuva was ushered in to boost the introduction of local participation in the petroleum industry.“So what has changed? Nothing and yet everything,” opens the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Zwelithini Mlotshwa. “Nothing because the same asset and human capital that were a driving force to the BP & Shell brands are still at the Company’s disposal through its senior staff members and retail dealer network. And yet everything, as local participation in the industry has brought more focus to the contribution of the petroleum sector to the Zimbabwean market.”Now 51 percent owned by local stakeholders and 49 percent owned by a leading international commodity trading enterprise, the expansion and diversification that has taken place since 2011 has been extensive to the point where its three business units comprise the widest range of petroleum products in the country; ensuring a portfolio that can cater for all specific needs in a developing market.“Our range includes unleaded petrol, diesel,…