BUSINESS AND TRAINING 21
Without going into too much detail , we will be engaging far more closely with a wider market , including our merchant customers , but planning to interact more directly to installer and end user . In other words , broaden our customer base and create a larger footprint .
Marketing will take a far broader view in terms of the use of available media platforms to reach the growing buying groups that have developed over the years catering for their communities .
The supply-channel will be developed to incorporate an e-commerce platform over time . While this is being done already in the market , we seek to make it more user-friendly and accurate . Our new website will be launched soon . Here again the benefit of being a part of the STH Group is the innovate marketing resources they have made available to us .
What will the management structure look like ? I will remain as the managing director of STH Southern Africa , with the core long-standing SA Team remaining . We will add key team members to this core group to enhance our product solutions , expertise , interaction , and service offering .
Would this require a move of premises ? Not at all , we remain where we are for now . There would be internal movements , for example the upgrading and enhancement of the training facilities , with minor adjustments to the warehouse and storerooms .
In summary , we are now incorporated within a larger group , offering an enhanced range of product solutions and services , allowing us to further develop our customer base and offer with products , technical advice and broadened stockholding , all with friendly and efficient service . PA
“ So business is still the same people , essentially the same business , while enhancing the offering and the value-add to our customers , with our aim to continually expand the core customer base .”
Why is transformation important for SA ?
By
Morosha Govender , EmpowerBEE
South Africa is one of the most unequal societies with the top 10 % earning 110 times more than the bottom 10 %.
Transformation benefits all in South Africa as it empowers individuals , communities and employees . It also can improve the business environment in the SME space who in turn can be job generators and help create an environment for entrepreneurs to flourish . It is wheels within wheels allowing local entrepreneurs to purchase from the local supply chain .
It is not about giving a company away , it is not about race or colour , but being a cog in a wheel that enables other wheels to be part of the big wheel , which is the business environment .
EmpowerBEE and IOPSA have partnered together as they each share the values espoused by each company . The objectives are to create a BBBEE strategy that does not split the existing economic pie , but rather increase the pie so everyone can benefit . Consequently , our company can assist all members with compliance in terms of BBBEE legislation . We are a SANAS accredited verification agency .
BBBEE can open up doors to growth as more private companies require such verification to do business with them . It opens doors to government tenders . For the contract plumbing company and the promised infrastructure spend , having a BEE score can only benefit them .
The point here is that BBBEE is not a tick box exercise and when applied strategically can contribute to alleviating some of the ills faced by South Africans today . Without stating that which has been stated many times before , SMEs are essential to the growth of this country and in addressing unemployment . The plumbing and related construction industries are critical in educating the next generation of artisans , thus ensuring the proud tradition of plumbing continues on in the correct manner . PA
“ EmpowerBEE and IOPSA have partnered together as they each share the values espoused by each company .”
March 2021 Volume 27 I Number 1 www . plumbingafrica . co . za