Events and Exhibitions
CARNIVAL DAY AT METRACLARK ’ S
RELOCATED RANDBURG BRANCH
By Eamonn Ryan
On 26 January , the new Metraclark Randburg Store held its official opening celebration by inviting suppliers and customers to its new premises at Unit 16 , Skyway Business Park , Freda Road , Strydom Park , Randburg .
Having outgrown its previous Randburg premises in Tungsten
Road , Metraclark selected Skyway Business Park due to it having more space for a larger branch capable of holding more stock , says branch manager Quinton Anderson . The physical move occurred in September last year and having now settled in , it was decided that the time was right to invite customers , suppliers and other guests such as RACA Journal .
“ This is our official opening for this new location . Our previous premises were relatively nearby but were no longer suited to the volume of business we are doing , which has picked up — as it has for most of our stores over the past year . We therefore moved the site to acquire more space . Today this is a bigger branch with more floor space where we can increase stockholding . We do the entire refrigeration and air conditioning range , some domestic but the majority is commercial . We sell complete refrigeration systems , condensing units , evaporators and components in addition to the Carrier and Sinclair air conditioning units ,” says Anderson .
Anderson has worked for Metraclark for over 10 years , starting as a counter salesperson and then as an external sales representative . He was first promoted to branch manager at the Metraclark Midrand branch before being given the responsibility of the Randburg branch and subsequently the new store opening . Metraclark group general manager Kobus Hattingh adds : “ We are extremely happy with the company performance at the moment . Notwithstanding the economic disruptions of the past year we have made good progress in the last twelve months . In addition , while it is still early days in 2023 , this year has also thus far been off to a good start .”
“ In terms of this store ’ s new location , we are always looking at progress for our branches when leases are up for renewal and we move according to where the industry wants us . Our primary concern is to be close to our customers . The previous location was rather tucked away and inaccessible . We ’ d been looking around
All photos by © RACA Journal | Eamonn Ryan
1 . Metraclark group general manager Kobus Hattingh . 2 . Metraclark branch manager Quinton Anderson .
for a while during and after Covid and had been eyeing this site for a while . Covid and its restrictions made it more difficult to relocate branches , though we did two other relocations to superior locations during Covid , but the difficulties in having group activities meant they went largely under the radar . This is actually our first in a while , since Covid ,” says Hattingh . “ For the relocated Randburg branch , this move has been a very positive one for Metraclark .”
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“ Our competitive edge in this market is our branch network — our store footprint across the country , combined with what I believe is our professionalism .”
“ Our customer base varies somewhat from location to location , but in general our business is commercial refrigeration , domestic refrigeration , air conditioning , industrial refrigeration and the
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I March 2023 19