DIY Trade News October 2013
44
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Henry Oberholster
- Managing Director: Mica
As a member-owned and managed
Born in Zambia and educated in
Potchefstroom, Henry Oberholster, Managing
Director of one of the country’s most prolific
DIY and hardware retail groups, Mica, started
his retail journey in sales with Dairy Maid in
Pretoria in 1977.
group, my biggest challenge is to
maintain the high standards and trust
relationship we have built over the past
four years and keep the members are
involved in all aspects of our business.
Our members are not simply store
owners; they are our partners and this is
He moved to retail in 1980 for Metro Cash
and Carry as a General Manager. It wasn’t
until 1995 when he joined Home Warehouse
did he find his passion for hardware retail. At
Home Warehouse he was exposed to all the
different disciplines of retail for 9 years. In
2004, Oberholster opened his first Mica store
in Kempton Park, followed by a 10 000m² Mega
Store in Fourways in 2007, and another in
Nigel in 2009. Oberholster joined the Head
Office as position of Operations Executive
for the Mica Group in 2010 to assist them
with their New Store Development and Roll
Out Strategy. On the 20th August 2013,
Oberholster assumed the role of Managing
Director, filling the space left by Clifford
Buchler who now lives in New Zealand.
what makes Mica better.
DIY: What are the opportunities
for Mica?
HO: When it comes to the future, Africa
has to be the most exciting place to be
as growth opportunities are enormous!
At Mica, we are always looking for ways
to make our business more efficient,
to limit expenditure and extract the full
potential of our people. With the idea of
growth taking centre stage, to ensure
we stay ahead of the pack, we need to
keep up to date with trends, monitor
old and new competitors and serve a
• The man who owns the store, runs the store…
diverse demographic nationwide and account for our
owns the brand! Mica is truly a business that
country’s unique variety of needs.
celebrates ownership and the entrepreneur who is
The business will remain focused on the strong
DIY: What was your role at Mica before
categories such as power tools, paint, electrical and
becoming MD?
we are now tackling ‘Build’.
HO: As the Operations Executive, it was my
committed.
• Our structure allows for quick decision making
and short reaction times eliminating the red tape
associated with corporate structures.
responsibility to assist our members in becoming
DIY: Tell us more about the Mica’s ‘Build’
the best and most successful hardware store in their
strategy
business – without them we have nothing to sell
area. We have spent a great deal of time enhancing
HO: The increased focus on building materials has
and believe that together we can make a huge
the Mica offering and expanding the Mica footprint
paid off and we are continually looking for ways
success.
both in South Africa and southern Africa alike. We
to further enhance this offering and build volumes
are working in Angola which is close to completion,
through the channel.
which will be one of the biggest stores in Africa.
• We work with our suppliers as key partners in the
• A long rich history and passion for DIY, with
a legacy brand that is 30 years old. It is
internationally recognised and South African’s see
DIY: What inspires you?
us as the experts in “Let us show you how”.
DIY: Tell readers about some of your initial
HO: People. I can think of no bigger inspiration than
challenges since assuming the role.
empowering people that work with you and seeing
DIY: Where do you see yourself in five
HO: Fortunately for me, the new Mica team has
them succeed. And most importantly, the pillar in my
years?
always been a focused, highly skilled and passionate
life, my wife.
HO: I’ll still be here. Mica is already the ultimate
bunch of people who get on with it! They understand
brand at the end of 2013, we will have 200 retailers
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