I F S (INTERNATIONAL FACIL I TIE S S E RV IC E S )
Remote site solutions for Africa’s hungry businesses www.ifsafrica.com
ame I N T E R N A T I O N A L
F A C I L I T I E S
S E R V I C E S
( I F S )
Scalability with Investment U N L O C K I N G
Focusing on lifestyle initiatives and building a simple, but exclusive brand, IFS has created a number of market leading initiatives that have enabled the company to differentiate itself from competitors in the market Writer: Emily Jarvis • Project Manager: Josh Hyland
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ince embarking on its first remote site project for Anglo South Africa in the early 2000s, International Facilities Services (IFS) has capitalised on the marked increase in investment and development on the African continent to unlock the true potential and scalability of its business. It was this first business opportunity that led IFS to identify the demand for its offering: the combination of its international expertise and local understanding to provide catering, housekeeping, laundry and related secondary services to a wide range of industries and public institutions, with a concerted focus on remote site solutions. “The success of our first foray both enhanced Anglo’s reputation and the demand for our offering in what was
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comments Peter Horne, Sales Manager for IFS South Africa.
Investor interest
a relatively niche market. It was then our appetite for risk combined with our multitude of competencies that saw our services transcend across borders and into sub-Saharan Africa,”
Equipped with these industry-leading competencies, IFS has spent the past decade expanding its footprint into 16 African countries and igniting the interest of investors looking for growth opportunities on the continent; forging a lucrative deal with a consortium comprising of longstanding leaders of industry with significant African experience, including Nedbank Private Equity. “This partnership not only contributed a wealth of knowledge, networking opportunities and strategic thinking, but it also contributed towards a significant strengthening of the Group’s balance sheet and financial capabilities. Additionally, it helped guide us through a difficult economic
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RAND SAFETY
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tarting operations in 1989, Rand Safety Equipment distribute safety and protective clothing, footwear, personal protective equipment and other allied products. Covering a variety of industries, we have a wide and extensive product range, with particular expertise in safety footwear. We are based in Centurion and deliver to all parts Gauteng and orders outside Gauteng and South Africa can be arranged on request. T 012 653 2870 E info@randsafety.co.za
www.randsafety.co.za Services include catering which provides for all ethnic and religious cuisine preferences
period for service providers and come out the other side with a bright future as a flexible, innovative and reactive private company; partnering with leaders of industry to ensure continued compliance,” he adds. After 15 years of working hard to gain the financial capacities needed to make big investments to secure longevity - including the reorganisation of its board and executive team and human resource initiatives - IFS aims to now analyse the current market conditions in 2015 and derive a strategy that creates value for both the business and the communities impacted by its presence. “Building capabilities is a constant drive and we are continually evaluating organisational requirements to identify new products and deliver new sources of revenue in existing markets, as well as targeting new markets for our existing product offering. Delivering on this strategy is critical to our company’s success and the achievement of operational excellence.
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“IFS has stamped its authority on the remote site service industry and become an attractive proposition for clients and staff alike,” Horne explains.
Key investments
Throughout the current economic slowdown that is affecting commodity prices, IFS has remained positive and focused its energies on making the right investments to ensure a solid platform from which to grow once the market turns. “To be successful in these markets requires an intimate knowledge of local conditions, specialist skills and a focus on logistics. As such, IFS has placed great emphasis on its people and clients, spending a significant amount of time working on the ground in the harshest conditions to develop a competitive edge in the market. This has been instrumental in being able to showcase our portfolio of bespoke solutions to the various prospective clients across a wide geography,” comments Horne. From its new, larger South African
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BAHIA COMERCIAL, LDA
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ahia Comercial, Lda has become one of the most relevant wholesalers of fresh and frozen goods, working with companies within the corporate market, including hotels, supermarkets and caterers. We are currently in the process of building a modern cash and carry retail structure (around 6,000 m2) which will be the largest in the Cabo Delgado province. This new modern structure is to be located in a new area of expansion close to the airport and port and a new industrial estate, housing some of the biggest companies within Mozambique, allowing us to expand our reach and continue our growth. T+258 7221627 E ceo@bahiacashcarry.com
www.bahiacashcarry.com
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We’ve got you covered... throughout Africa Distributors of safety and protective clothing, footwear, personal protective equipment and other allied products within a whole spectrum of industries.
Visit our Safety Superstore www.randsafety.co.za RANGE
Bahia Comercial, Lda strive to become leaders in food distribution within the Cabo Delgado province, and to become the preferred supplier to catering companies and hotels. Whilst we are consolidating our position within the market, we are always on the lookout for expansion to other provinces. We are also looking to create our own transport and distribution system. www.bahiacashcarry.com tel: +2587221627 e-mail: ceo@bahiacashcarry.com
New facilites to be open within 6 months 6000 m2 total ĂĄrea 4.000 m2 for cash and carry 2.000 m2 for renting Localized on center of city 500 mts from the airport and 1.000 m from industrial park.
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office in Durban - comprising of 50 employees - IFS is able to oversee work completed across its various regions of operation, however, local skills are a must in neighbouring countries in order to guarantee there is continuous skills transfer. Therefore, IFS ensures the corporate office structure is replicated in each country of operation. Horne confirms: “Our 95 percent local representation goal enables locals to take responsibility for whole divisions of the Company; and in certain instances, we are proud to have achieved 99 percent local content provision. Support is provided from our head office in Mauritius, but ultimately each country runs itself with the Country Manager being responsible for operational targets being met and client base growth.” In order to further reinforce this corporate structure, IFS HR Executive,
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Natasha Marwick, has been tasked with overhauling the Company’s training procedures; tailoring its methods for various languages, cultures and geographies. “Natasha and her team represent IFS’ objectives to retain staff through honesty, transparency, integrity and reward. The values instilled in all staff follow: Momentum, Energy, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork (MERIT); values which we hope to achieve at even the most remote sites,” he details.
Rebranding
In 2012, IFS went through a rebranding exercise with the aim of creating a warm, friendly environment for its staff and client base; “a home away from home” as Horne describes. The Company has spent a significant amount of time and money on research and development in order to develop a brand that can move
IFS core functions Facilities management Catering Construction of camps Housekeeping Laundry
Extensive training initiatives uplift local skills
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Related secondary services
A competent HR team is responsible for meeting operational targets
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with the times and is committed to an innovative approach. Furthermore, IFS have invested in a number of IT initiatives and satellite systems to enhance the service provided to its clients, but also standardising the Group’s reporting base. Branded ‘SMART’ - an ongoing project headed by longstanding Finance Director, Johnnie Eigelaar, Eigelaar and Finance Manager Jon Lee - the system is completely unique to the industry and demonstrates IFS’s appetite for investment to achieve growth and creating workable solutions aimed at enhancing services. “The SMART acronym stands for: Service, Management, Accountability, Retail and Trade functionality. SMART will firmly place our finger on the pulse of all our operations on the ground and will provide unsurpassed client satisfaction and sustainably high levels, thereby setting a new benchmark in our industry,” emphasises Eigelaar.
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Leading Meat and Frozen Food Suppliers We offer a full range of quality meat and vegetable products. Our skilled butchers cut and portion each order to our clients exacting standards.
Quality. Service. Delivery.
CT +27 (0) 21 557 1510 | JHB +27 (0) 11 316 3233 info@n1.co.za FOR ALL AFRICAN EQUIRES CONTACT ALAN + 27 824474555
www.n1.co.za
IFS has introduced a range of lifestyle initiatives for camp life
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Community involvement
With sustainability at the heart of its new strategic direction, IFS takes corporate social responsibility (CSR) very seriously and in many areas of its operations the Company has implemented Community Trusts; where target projects identified by IFS receive funding, along with the provision of assistance for general
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community upliftment. Horne highlights: “Ultimately, IFS aims to contribute CSR initiatives in the geographies surrounding its client base. Generally, focus is given to children, education and skills development and healthcare; all of which demonstrate our desire to be seen as a responsible citizen.” Running parallel to this, IFS will continue to look for projects that will constitute realistic and achievable growth year on year across the region, with the target to double its client base across its operations by 2020. “Right now, we have a number of innovative projects in the planning phase, which should come into fruition in the next
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Right now, we have a number of innovative projects in the planning phase, which should come into fruition in the next three to five years, further cementing the Company as a market leader in Africa
three to five years, further cementing the Company as a market leader in Africa,” says Horne. “Most notably, IFS is growing at a time where most competitors are not; this has only been possible through our forward thinking and internal commitment to continuous improvement, resulting in affordable and quality solutions for our evergrowing client base. Subsequently, our financial capability to carry infrastructure and general investment projects has been a key factor in our success. This has strengthened our position, allowing IFS to build trust among its client base and beyond,” he concludes.
Success stories of IFS
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Floor 1 & 4, 56 Richefond Circle Ridgeside Office Park Umhlanga 4320 South Africa T: +27 31 561 6111 F: +27 31 561 6222
www.ifsafrica.com