DIY Trade News October 2013
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Three decades of Mica
This month one of South Africa’s first DIY Voluntary Buying Groups celebrates 30 years
in existence. Johann Gerber finds out more about the exciting history of the company.
term commitment to strategies and plans is more
The group has seen many challenges during
The year was 1983 when Ant Hacker, the
likely to yield positive results.
founding father of Mica, along with 25 DIY retailers,
the last three decades. Whilst having to deal with
started the small Voluntary Buying Group known
the normal business challenges, such as global
today as Mica. Of the founding stores located
economic pressures and new competitors entering
The future
in KwaZulu-Natal, the then Transvaal and Cape
into the market, Mica has also faced some internal
When it comes to the future of Mica, the group is in
Province, some remain staunch Mica stalwarts.
hurdles. One of the biggest that the company was
a continual search, identification and implementation
forced to deal with, was the number of times the
for and of efficiencies to limit our expenditure and
Brad and Margie Reen (Halls Mica), Ron and Pam
Mica brand has undergone ownership changes or
extract full potential from its human resources. The
van Til (Central Mica), Mike Reid (Reid’s Mica),
developments in the past. All these changes have
group will continue to commit to giving its members
Kevin Spiro (Spiro’s Mica), Philip and Daphne
made it difficult for the group to gain traction as new
the tools to offer the best service to its customers,
Spies (Fitzgeralds Mica), Mike and Beryl Lessick
partners meant new focuses or strategies. Now, as
whether it be through Value Added Services,
(Lessick Mica) and Charles and Lyn Matthews
a 100% member-owned brand and business, the
Rewards Programmes and Training, or soft skills,
(Rainbow Building Supplies) remain with the group
ability to focus on the brand is continuous and is
technical skills or product knowledge.
30 years later.
unlikely to change in the future, meaning that a long-
Today, Butch and Sue Brown (Benny’s Mica),
Mica has big plans for the future with the idea
1983 1984 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1994 1996 1997 1998
2004 2008 2009 2012 2013 July
R50 million in total member rebates
collected since purchase date. 143
members excluding Zimbabwe!
R4-billion in total through put
Another Mica great
A banner year for Mica. Online shopping,
Facebook and Loyalty Rewards Programme
launched.
Mica becomes 100% member
owned
Super Group decides to sell their
Mica business
Mica is sold to JSE-listed Super Group
and the Mica Support Centre re-located to
Johannesburg.
2000
“Let us show you how” is launched
Mica changes to blue with the tagline, “The
guy who owns the store, runs the store.”
Mica UK is launched
Mica enters into joint venture with
Stevens & Co (26% share)
26% of Mica is sold to Feds
Mica’s traditional orange, yellow and grey
branding is born and the nrand is on TV
Mica goes national by adding the
Western Cape
The Mica Management Team negotiates to
purchase Mica back from Formscaff. Owned
40% by management and 60% by members.
Boumat acquires an option to
purchase Mica’s Share Capital
Insolvent! The first Mica store with credit
terms with the Head Office goes into
liquidation
Mica moves to Morningside in
Durban and adds three directors
Ant Hacker starts Mica.
MICA moments
August
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