Province: KwaZulu-Natal
District/Branch name: Downstream Aluminium Centre for Technology
Business Name: Amandla Metal Fabrication, Aluminium and Shelter (Pty) Ltd
Business type: Metal fabrication & welding
Background
Amandla Metal Fabrication, Aluminium and Shelter is a company that was started by Mr August Vusimuzi Sibiya at Esikhawini Reserve, Madlankala. The business provides welded products such as gates and burglar guards, and also conducts welding maintenance services. The business was started due to the owner’s technical skills and a desire to help alleviate poverty and to provide employment opportunities for the community. The business has been operating since 2010 with the operational premises being at the side of the road. The owner later partnered up with Mr Frans Khumalo who would assist him with the running of the business. The business has basic equipment for production.
Vusumuzi and his partner had challenges with the business as he was not getting a lot of clients and there were no records kept regarding the running of the business. The business was also not registered and therefore had a limited target market. Other challenges that affected progress of the business included lack of marketing material, informal process for staff and clients, insufficient clientele to ensure sustainability of the business and poor financial management.
The business owner Amandla Metal Fabrication was recruited by the DACT BDO during a recruitment day. Amandla Metal Fabrication was spotted working by the side of the main road in Madlankala. The DACT program was introduced to him and this led to an assessment done on his welding business to see if he qualifies to be in the DACT program.
Intervention / Solution
The business was introduced to the centre through personal visit conducted by the Business Development Officer and Technical Mentor. The business was then taken through the application and assessment process to ensure qualification for incubation. The incubation process started in August 2014
The business was assisted by the centre through scheduled workshops and trainings which included Marketing workshop, quality training, material and equipment supplier workshop, costing and pricing workshop, SARS workshop, BBBEE workshop, Department of Labor workshop and banks information sessions, linkage with stakeholders like IDZ and uMhlathuze Municipality. The growth of the business was monitored through site visits, personal consultation using Growthwheel and mentorship. The business was also assisted with compliance, development of marketing material to assist with marketing his business, issuing of PPE (safety equipment).
Outcome / Results
With the business being able to keep their financial records, it has become possible for the business to see progress regarding their operations and this is displayed in the sales graph below:
Amandla Metal Fabrication is now compliant with CIPC, SARS, registered on CSD and has a BBBEE certificate. This has led to him securing a project from the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) to supply office furniture; this project was worth R143 627.54. He received this order on the 09th of May 2016 and is busy completing this project with his employees. Mr Sibiya is still completing his order. Please see below pictures of this product.
The marketing material has given identity to Amandla Metal Fabrication and he is now able to personalize his company’s official documents like the quotation and invoice templates, the company letter head and emails he sends to their clients
QUOTE / SMME’s comment
DACT has played a vital role in developing businesses that have started from nothing into becoming sustainable businesses. My company is one of the businesses that has benefited from the DACT program. I would like to thank DACT for all their help. I would rate the hard work at 9/10 for the efforts they have put in my business in order for it to be where it is today.