BUSINESS AND TRAINING 13 it is our culture that we are all part of this independent family and not a corporate . We have managed to retain that culture from the beginning . We are not ‘ clock watchers ; we get people in who want a career , not a job and to have fun building their careers with us .”
Gavin , “ I believe it is because senior management actually care about the staff , which we do . We steer them in the right direction , we are totally honest with them , and we have mutual respect for one another .”
Charles continues : “ We are the exclusive distributor of RIFENG ’ s range of products in Southern Africa . RIFENG is the largest manufacturer of multilayer piping in the world with 60 agents globally , including the USA . The factory has in excess of 40 global certifications . RIFENG is a household name in China and one of the most reputable businesses I have dealt with . The after sales service and how they stand behind their product is admirable . Their mindset is that of a broad business and not just a manufacturer selling product . That is why they are the largest multilayer pipe manufacturer in the world . Their annual production would circumnavigate the globe 29 times !”
Gavin adds : “ We are now also exclusive distributors of the Borras range of taps . Borras is the second largest tap manufacturer in Spain and carries SATAS and JASWIC approvals . The range conforms to the DZR requirements of our market at affordable prices .”
Plumbing Africa : We understand that Sunridge has a substantial claims cover policy but virtually no claims experience , which is admirable . How do you do it ?
Charles , “ A number of ways . We have the correct certification , which is regularly renewed , we do not cut corners and we invest in training . We make sure the guys know how to use the product correctly . We also follow up on projects . Once specified , we work closely with the designers and installers , taking photos ensuring nothing untoward is happening on site . This feedback is given to the supply chain , so everyone is kept in the loop . Once the project is up and running and when water is turned on , we can identify by checking the pressure if the product does what it claims and performs to its best .”
Plumbing Africa : We asked Charles and Gavin to summarise Sunridge .
Charles , “ We are not even halfway through our journey of the vision that we originally came up with . Consider that Sunridge started with a brief conversation , and the seed gets planted , and that seed grows very quickly . There were challenges in getting the business up and running but once you get over those initial hurdles , you have a business that starts gaining its own momentum . It has the right people , in the right place , doing the right work , with the right product range .
© Plumbing Africa Rory Macnamara
Portion of the warehouse in Pinetown , 5000sq mt and Cape Town 2000sq mt .
continue sourcing products and be effective in offering a service to our customers .
Gavin , “ I had a vision of us being the largest independently owned plumbing business in South Africa in a five-year period and we are close to that already . For this , we have to acknowledge the role played by our suppliers , our management team and staff and our ever-growing loyal customer base . Being independently owned , we are free of politics and have the entire retail market available to us . We plan to grow the business with the retail groups and chains as well as the independents . As Charles has stated , there are more exciting things to come over the next couple of months which will take us to another level . We will share these with the Plumbing Africa readers and our loyal customers in the coming months .” PA
We are a business that has come from small beginnings in truly a short space of time and have managed to establish ourselves as one of the leading importers and distributors of plumbing and water reticulation products in the country .
There is more to come , and our vision remains to see the business evolving to meet the needs of our changing market . We have set ourselves to supply the independent and corporate market and will
© Plumbing Africa Rory Macnamara
Stacking in another part of warehouse .
June 2022 Volume 28 I Number 4 www . plumbingafrica . co . za