Midas franchise
Equipped
for Success
Knowledge, passion and a high work ethic are the
essentials when starting a business and this is what
Leon de Villiers had in spades when he established
Lowveld Garage Equipment (LGE) in March 1985.
LGE focused on specialised workshop equipment,
and very soon it was the number one supplier in
the Nelspruit area for discerning customers.
We are very proud of Leon and Igna’s
hands on approach, which has allowed them
to provide their customers with a great
shopping experience. Igna’s representation
on the National Council is also key toward
parts and concept development.
- Gerhard Braun; Midas franchise director
➲ Igna de Villiers believes in a hands-on approach to his business
W
ith many years’ experience
as a representative in the
Mpumalanga area for wellknown distributors, de Villiers combined
his local knowledge with a business
mission and vision that was designed for
success. The mission statement, which
stands proud on the office wall, spells it
out: “To enable our customer to choose
the best product, according to their
requirements and budget, by providing
professional, expert advice, service and a
quality product choice”.
For close on twenty years It was all
going well, but Leon wanted to give his
customers something more, and a onestop shop experience. To achieve this
goal, he became a Midas franchise in
2003 to enable his customers to purchase
workshop equipment, tools and parts in a
professional retail environment.
Thus, his vision “to be the market leader
and preferred supplier of specialist
workshop equipment, tools and parts”
came to being, assisted by the ethos
“to grow, not so much in size, but
in expertise and product knowledge
and to be informed of new and/or
improved technology, enabling us to
offer unparalleled service and support
thus establishing a lifelong business
relationship with our customers”.
Leon de Villiers continues to play an
ambassador role at LGE, promoting the
company to potential customers, but he
has handed over the day to day running
of the business to his son Igna de Villiers,
who has continued in the hallowed
footsteps of his father, and has built on
the pioneering foundation that has made
LGE Midas the first port of call for the
automotive workshops in the area, and a
| words in action
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august 2014
one stop shop for the mining, agricultural,
and fleet businesses that keep the
economic wheels of Mpumalanga
turning. LGE now has three outlets in
Nelspruit, and Igna is passionate about
his association with Midas, and a proud
and loyal member of the Midas National
Council, representing the Mpumalanga
area.
He says that it is great to
be part of the Midas Group,
and the national recognition
and the strength of the
Midas brand has contributed
significantly to the continued
success and growth of the
business.