NEWS
5
Stanley Black & Decker and WHS
align strategically
Wholesale Housing Supplies (WHS) has always been one of a few routes to market leaders
for Stanley Black & Decker hand tools over the past number of years, but recently the two
companies chose to align strategically to grow their significance in each other’s businesses.
This began with WHS launching Stanley
power tools last year. “In the first few
months of having Stanley power tools in our
business, we saw significant sales growth
in this category,” says William Maroleng,
managing director: hardware.
“This was encouraging, as we could see the
value of having a powerful brand like Stanley
in our business; likewise, Stanley could see
the opportunities of working with WHS; given
our extensive national footprint of sales offices
and sales people on the ground, as well as our
extensive distribution network and the ability to
get break bulk supply to the smallest hardware
store in the furthest town. It was then that we
started discussing the possibilities of growing
this relationship on a more strategic partnership
level,” comments Shelley Galliver, marketing
director at WHS. At an executive meeting in
Dubai at the beginning of the year, the two
companies were able to align on a route to
market strategy and define a product and brand
portfolio for WHS to take to market. “Our aim
is to become Stanley Black & Decker’s single
biggest distributor in sub-Saharan Africa over the
next few years,” says Maroleng. “We have set ourselves ambitious goals on the
selected brand portfolios, but it is only with this
kind of drive backed by a solid launch plan and
route to market strategy, that we can grow these
categories exponentially. We can no longer ‘plod
along’ with Stanley Black & Decker; we need to
be fully committed to the achievement of these
set objectives, which will prove to be profitable
to both WHS and Stanley Black & Decker,” says
group managing director of WHS, Gustav Mertz.
WHS is in the process of launching a range of
Black & Decker power tools, a few additional
Stanley power tool products, additional Stanley
hand tool products, a comprehensive range of
accessories, and an Irwin range of plumbing
specific tools. Mertz went on to say: “We are truly excited
to have reached this agreement with such a
formidable brand in the market and know that
we will work tirelessly together with Stanley
Black & Decker to ensure that this partnership is
a fruitful and sustainable one.” PA
Water and sanitation minister
prioritises water projects
The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Gugile Nkwinti, was warmly received by the
political and traditional leadership, as well as the community of Giyani, d uring his recent
interaction regarding the issues surrounding the Giyani Water Project.
Minister Nkwinti made it clear that his visit
was geared towards fact-finding. “I came
here for strategy and tactics; to hear the
community before delivering the upcoming
Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS)
Budget Vote. I need to have a clear way
forward articulated on the project as it is very
important for government work. If need be,
there will be reprioritisation as we need to
turn the project around, including work on the
further 38 villages still unserved.”
The Mopani District Municipality, led by Executive
Mayor Nkakareng Rakgwale, was appreciative
of the Minister’s visit and engagement, with the
Executive Mayor emphasising the need for active
intergovernmental relations that appreciate
the separation of powers, while ensuring the
understanding of a single government. At the
community meeting, community members were
encouraged to vocalise their satisfaction and
www.plumbingafrica.co.za
difficulties concerning the delivery of this project.
The issues raised included that pipes have not
resulted in water availability; over a period of
six years, intermittent supplies are still the order
of the day; and the Mopani District Municipality
and Greater Giyani Local Municipality must share
capacity according to needs. is appreciated and important, and said that
although the project was initially meant to cover
55 villages, the suggestion to cover all the villages
will be considered. He also directed the Municipal
Manager to ensure that all areas without or
with intermittent supplies must immediately be
attended to by the District Municipality.
Furthermore, some villages are still bypassed
by the pipes supplying water elsewhere; some
boreholes around Blackwater need refurbishment;
the community, including traditional leadership,
must be included in discussions; the infrastructure
(boreholes) is ageing; there should be devolution
of Water Services Authority powers from District
Municipality to Local Municipality level; water supply
from Nwamitwa Dam should be prioritised; and
boreholes around Kremetart are not functioning. “The project is high on the priority list of
Parliament; the proposal for the establishment of a
steering committee is sensible. Let us remember
that the idea behind IDPs (integrated development
plans) was that all three spheres of government
will work together, led by the municipality.
The Executive Mayor, on behalf of the municipality,
remarked that the input from the community
“I appreciate all the inputs received today. I will
take these into account during the presentation
of the upcoming DWS Budget Vote speech. The
inputs will assist me to speak with confidence
around matters of the Giyani Water Project,”
Minister Nkwinti concluded. PA
June 2018 Volume 24 I Number 4