![\"Raymond](\"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/AFRICA-PIC-01-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a>\u201cCustomers around Africa know our brand well, and respect the precision German engineering that underlies all our products,\u201d says Obermeyer. \u201cThey also rely on our strong service ethic, which is based on our culture of responsiveness and understanding customer needs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A key aspect of the company\u2019s high levels of customer support derives from its infrastructure and capability \u2013 as well as having a presence close to customers\u2019 sites. Ready availability of stock, and quick turnaround times for designed solutions, are ensured by SEW-EURODRIVE\u2019s newly built and expanded facility in Aeroton, Johannesburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThese new headquarters \u2013 worth around R500 million in infrastructure and stock \u2013 was a carefully considered investment in our future growth,\u201d he explains. \u201cIt has also enabled a three-fold increase in our stockholding, which is vital to ensuring that customers get what they need, when they need it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to serving branches in Nelspruit, Durban, Cape Town and Gqeberha, this state-of-the-art facility supports over 23 more countries in Africa. It is this proven branch model that the company is now rolling out. Moving gradually away from the distributor model of product sales and support, he explains that four countries are strategically targeted each year for a branch establishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTaking a phased approach to our growth strategy, we began establishing branches in our key growth areas of Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya and Tanzania in 2022,\u201d he says. \u201cIn the years to come, we aim to target around four countries a year in which to put a branch in place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The model, emphasises Obermeyer, has benefits not only to customers but also to the host countries. While the investment is greater, there is more control over factors like service quality and performance. By appointing and training its own staff, SEW-EURODRIVE is ensuring that customers get a uniformly high standard of support, irrespective of their location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis strategy also aligns with the growing trend in Africa towards localisation,\u201d he points out. \u201cCountries are wanting to see more local benefit from economic growth, and a move away from relying on foreign companies and expatriate workers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Building on the experience of running its own strong branch network in South Africa, SEW-EURODRIVE is excited about the prospect of building capacity around Africa. This includes more formal training and mentorship of local staff in African branches \u2013 to service the continent\u2019s already large population of SEW-EURODRIVE motors, gearboxes, geared motors and other equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur equipment is to be found in a wide range of industries around Africa \u2013 from food and beverage to cement, mining and pharmaceutical,\u201d says Obermeyer. \u201cOur hands-on approach to our work means that we understand operating conditions in each country, and so we have developed the expertise to deliver the way our customers require.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He emphasises that casual observers tend to underestimate the recent growth \u2013 and potential \u2013 in most African countries. It is being driven by considerable investment in world class industrial facilities which demand high-tech equipment supported by qualified and experienced experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is where SEW-EURODRIVE is positioned,\u201d he concludes. \u201cWe are leveraging our experience in these markets to deliver the best quality equipment and components \u2013 supported by unsurpassed service and commitment to customers.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Africa\u2019s industries are on the move, and SEW-EURODRIVE is geared up for steady expansion across the continent. From its expanded new facilities in Johannesburg, SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa is strengthening its footprint by establishing new branches around Africa. This strategy, says managing director Raymond Obermeyer, serves customers best and builds local economies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6844,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[162],"class_list":["post-6840","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-client-focus","tag-sew-eurodrive"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6840","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6840"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6840\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6844"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6840"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6840"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.coralynne.co.za\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6840"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>