Midas franchise
| by Tristan Wiggill
King of
the North
Far North Midas in Mokopane
in the Limpopo province is a
massive Midas franchise that
has boomed as a result of sound
management and increased
mining activity in the vicinity.
➲ Car enthusiasts, young and old, flock to Far North Midas
The hands on approach and creativity of
the Le Roux family is what sets them apart
from their competitors in the region. You can
immediately feel the Midas touch when you
enter their store, which makes for a pleasurable
shopping experience. We are also happy to have
Klasie on the National council, helping steer the
future of the Midas brand.
➲ Frontline staff members beam with pride
T
he impressive premises was, since
1929, a motor services garage that
bought and sold new and used
vehicles. In 1991 it was converted into a
Midas store, under the watchful eye of
Klasie le Roux. Later on, Le Roux’s son,
also named Klasie, took over the reins
and is still in charge today. The doublestorey parts retail business currently
employs 37 people on a permanent basis
and boasts a 1 200 sqm2 ground floor
and 400 sqm2 top floor.
Makopane used to be a predominantly
farming community and the business
supplied parts to the agricultural sector.
But in recent years that has changed,
with a subsequent boom in the safety
and tools departments. “We are also very
big in fishing supplies and accessories,
with guys coming in to buy their own
hooks and tackle. We have had to be
innovative to get guys into the store,”
says Le Roux. Also popular is the car
care section, with Makopane customers
having a propensity for the latest car
- Gerhard Braun; Midas franchise director
care chemicals, additives and washing
accessories.
“Ten years ago there was nothing
here. But now there are a lot of new
developments. Makopane is a growth
point and everyo ne wants a piece of the
pie,” Le Roux substantiates. “We never
argue over price, but rather focus on our
stockholding,” he says in fleeting reference
to his competition. Le Roux boasts a
stockholding worth some R6 million at any
given time.
“Business is very good at the moment,”
he says. “The area has grown and has
been developed and industrialised due to
the mining industry. These days we do a lot
of business with mining sub-contractors.”
Far North Midas has kept its focus on parts
retail and is not in the business of parts
fitment.
Speaking of the Midas brand he says,
“You can’t do business without belonging
to a franchise and Midas is one of the
biggest and the most well-known of all.
| words in action
76
may 2014
Midas stores are known to stock high
quality parts at the right price and of
course, the big name brands are all here.”
Le Roux also has a positive
attitude towards management.
“Midas head office is very
helpful. We are ably assisted
by the Midas dealer advisory
council, which helps and guides
us. Midas management talk to
us all the time. They allow us
the chance to speak and really
listen to what we’re saying.
They assist us to source quality
parts and in general, we work
hand-in-hand with them. Midas
has always been there for me,”
he gushes.