Autobarn Member Update
| by Tristan Wiggill
Going
global
Autobarn member GT Spares
Pty (Ltd), trading as Tommy’s GT
Spares, has been making waves in
Namibia since June 1993. Owner
Thomas Akweendah and business
partner, Gerhard Kambonde,
are the driving forces behind the
➲ GT Spares is the place to go for great products and service in
successful enterprise.
northern Namibia
I
n fact, there are two GT Spares
enterprises under Thomas’ stewardship
- one in Oshakati and one in Ondangwa
- both in the North of the country. He says
these businesses specialise in automotive
spares, tools and accessories, with the
duo resisting the lure of parts fitment and
mechanical repair.
Tommy’s GT Spares joined Autobarn in May
2012, having heard about the buying group
through a friend and fellow automotive
business owner and Autobarn member.
“We wanted to join a buying group for some
time so when we heard about Autobarn
and understood how it would benefit us,
we jumped on board,” he says. “It was
our intention to grow the businesses and
develop relationships with leading suppliers.
Autobarn membership has allowed us to do
this. We are now in a much better position
to compete with the larger retailers in the
area and our prices are more competitive.
We have found that we have fewer hassles
with our suppliers now as well,” he adds.
Autobarn membership has opened many
doors for Thomas, locally and abroad.
When we contacted him, he was preparing
to jet off to Germany for Automechanika
Frankfurt, alongside Autobarn
representatives for the first time. Thomas
is becoming well-travelled as an Autobarn
member, having already been a part of a
visiting group to China. He explained to us
that he was excited about the trip and was
looking forward to creating new working
relationships with global suppliers.
Back at home his two stores employ a
combined 17 people, with Thomas adamant
that they remain at the cutting edge of
the parts industry in terms of know-how
and expertise. He says that business
is booming, especially in Oshakati.
However, he admits that the smaller
store in Ondangwa struggled for a while
due to flooding. That branch has also
faced increased competition from smaller
retailers. Despite this it continues to grow.
in-depth knowledge of parts and the parts
industry. He believes it is also important to
employ the right staff and to train them so
that they provide customers with the right
advice.
Membership of Autobarn has given him
increased buying power. “We do not
struggle to source products or establish
contact with new and better suppliers.
Autobarn gives us greater access to the
best suppliers,” he says. He adds that
sales have increased 40% since joining the
buying group. “Our customers have come
to expect quality products, experienced
staff, the right stock and information on the
newest products and brands,” he surmises.
“Tommy is a very knowledgeable
entrepreneur and we would
➲ Tommy supports every Autobarn initiative
and is a valuable member of the buying group
Popular brands include Gabriel shocks,
GUD filters, various Bearing Man products,
Supercharge Batteries and Jonnesway
Tools. “These are all high quality brands
and our customers can see and appreciate
the difference,” he maintains. The company
is able to perform deliveries, although the
vast majority of customers come to the
stores themselves. He says the taxi market
provides him with a lot of business, as do
visiting Angolans and informal mechanics
that ply their trade in outlying areas.
Thomas says to be successful in the parts
business requires sound management and
love to have more members like
them. Supportive, inquisitive and
committed. Once again it shows
that supporting the Autobarn
programme lead to increased
success, whether your business
is in the north of Namibia,
Parow, Mafikeng, Johannesburg
or East London. Independent
entrepreneurs enjoy added success
after joining Autobarn. Tommy and
his team have achieved fantastic
results.” – Terry Brand, MD,
Automotive Brands
For more information on Autobarn, contact Terry Brand on 011 477 3612.
| words in action
82
october 2014