THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
71 plumbers is the elephant in the room, as this impacts negatively on both the compliant manufacturers as well as the qualified plumbers’ profitability. We will engage with merchants in supporting training, especially training of the younger plumbers, since they are the future of the industry.
Q. WHICH COUNTRIES DOES WHS SUPPLY TO? A. We supply to the SADC countries, including Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Namibia. Dawn Africa then supplies to the rest of Africa, either through our own Dawn Africa branch in Zambia, or agents and merchants in other countries.
Q. WHS BRINGS IN THEIR OWN PRODUCTS. IS THIS BECAUSE THE LOCAL MARKET CANNOT SUPPLY IT, OR ARE THE PRODUCTS BETTER QUALITY? A. As a business, WHS does import plumbing goods, but these have traditionally been sourced through our Stability Wholesalers division. However, where we need complementary products, or when it is an ownbranded product, the Saffer division can sell these as well. Having said that, Saffer has a preference to use, as far as possible, local brands that are manufactured in South Africa.
Q. SAFFER HAS ALWAYS SUPPORTED PRODUCTS THAT ARE SANS ACCREDITED. IS THIS STILL THE CASE, AND HOW DO YOU BELIEVE INDUSTRY CAN BEST DEAL WITH THE SUPPLY OF SANITARYWARE, PARTICULARLY THOSE THAT BEST SUIT THE NEEDS OF THE‘ TWO MARKETS’: INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS AND RURAL AREAS?
A. Saffer has always preferred supplying SANS-accredited products. We are constantly looking for products of good quality at the right price, to be able to supply to our customers. However, we cannot ignore the reality of an important and large demographic profile in our country. This market does benefit from accredited products, but by its nature, it does leave itself open to substandard products finding their way into the market, based purely on pricing. One must always ask oneself,“ What has been removed to make the product cheaper?” It will normally be the best components that are the first to go as they are the most expensive.
Q. IN THIS VEIN, YOU HAVE ANOTHER DIVISION, STABILITY WHOLESALERS. WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF THIS DIVISION AS OPPOSED TO SAFFER, AND WHY DID YOU SEGMENT THE BUSINESS IN THIS MANNER? A. Stability Wholesalers offers an alternative in brand and quality, with some products holding the SANS mark, while others are designed by us as value for money, fit-for-purpose imported products. We believe this offers the rural areas products that do not fail in fit, form, or function. It must be borne in mind that the needs of the rural areas may not be the same as in the urban areas, as pressure, for example, is not the same and the source of water supply is different. When we source products from overseas, we gain better pricing, which is passed on to the customer. Saffer has always carried the top locally manufactured brands and distributed them to the market, whereas Stability Wholesalers offers these more costeffective imported brands to a wider audience. PA
www. plumbingafrica. co. za October 2018 Volume 24 I Number 8