Insulation panel manufacturer Panel World is in the process of expanding its premises , having bought two adjacent properties .
BUSINESS AND TRAINING
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Panel World expands its premises to accommodate continued growth By Eamonn Ryan
Insulation panel manufacturer Panel World is in the process of expanding its premises , having bought two adjacent properties .
This is in response to strong and consistent growth since its establishment in 2000 , with general manager Kobus Muller saying this expansion will accommodate continued expansion for many years to come .
Panel World ’ s strategy for growth and expansion is to deliver exceptional service to customers , and to grow organically , he adds .
The company specialises in the design , manufacture and installation of high-quality modular cold and freezer rooms , cold stores , hygienic preparation areas , chicken houses and more . It is centrally located for easy access to customers in all areas . Its manufacturing plant includes the first ultramodern , discontinuous polyurethane panel plant in the southern hemisphere .
The company was established by three brothers . One brother was a milk farmer challenged in their operations by milk machines that were not cooling the milk correctly . One decided to study refrigeration and embark on an entirely new apprenticeship and career – simply to fix the milk machines . He eventually resigned from his job to return to farming , now with refrigeration services in parallel . With the refrigeration services , they got exposure to cold room panels and cold rooms which led to the establishment of Panel World .
This entrepreneurial spirit and initiative have helped the company grow into a leading manufacturer of insulated panels in South Africa .
Muller explains that running a business in a small town like Frankfort has several benefits over running one in a city . Small towns offer lower costs such as rent and labour , a more relaxed lifestyle , generally lower costs and a supportive community .
In addition to this , Panel World has a competitive edge over its peers in terms of a faster turnaround time from placing an order to delivery of material . The company is extremely fast and can in some instances help people as soon as the following day , says Muller . “ We ensure that everything that an installer may need on-site is available from us , and we keep stock of all accessories , including glass doors .”
“ I have many customers who buy from me because of our exceptional service . I deliver on average within two to three days . In the construction industry , where most of the panels end up , quick delivery is crucial . Getting the panels delivered within two or three days as opposed to 20 days , makes an enormous difference to a contractor , relieving them of their own pressure to complete on time . When choosing where to place an order – a contractor would rather choose the one with a 2 – 3 day lead time than a three-week lead time . Our focus on delivering the best possible service increases customer satisfaction and loyalty , which are key to success in any industry .
“ Every customer has my personal cell phone number and if they ’ re ever in difficulty they can contact me directly and I will work with the production manager to find a solution . We are a hands-on company that understands the frustration involved in having to deal with suppliers that are difficult to reach .”
As with most businesses , load shedding has been a challenge for Panel World and the company has recently installed a solar system with inverters and batteries that will take it nearly off-grid . “ I hope that by the end of next week ( mid-November ), we will never have to worry about fluctuating power again .”
He describes one of the biggest challenges the business went through as being a major illegal strike by all its
All images by Cold Link Africa
Making the insulation panel outer cover .
Panel World ’ s state-of-the-art equipment .
shopfloor workers in June 2020 , just as the economy was opening up after the Covid-19 lockdown . However , management turned this adversity into advantage . All the striking staff were legally dismissed , and because the universities had not yet reopened the company was able to swiftly employ highly educated students who were quick to learn – within a week all key positions were back running . The key office staff , management and installation teams did not go on strike , and all remained .
“ We gained a complete workforce made up of students who were clever , hardworking , have a good work ethic and easily trainable . We paid them more than what we would pay a normal workforce , but it was worth it . Within two days , all of the stations had a person capable of grasping
complex instructions and performing simple tasks . We had the opportunity to employ the best of the best , and we now have an exceptional workforce . Although the strike had a big emotional impact on my father and me , we came out of it much better than we went in ,” says Muller .
Panel World ensures that its products are of high quality and meet customer expectations by following a few key steps . Firstly , it sources steel from reliable suppliers such as primarily ArcelorMittal , which is locally manufactured and comes with test certificates for each coil , giving credibility . This ensures that the steel used in its products is of high quality and has good corrosion resistance .
Secondly , Panel World has a thorough product specification sheet that governs
18 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za COLD LINK AFRICA • January / February 2024