INDUSTRY FOCUS: EDUCATION
“We know that Africa is a new frontier when it comes to markets,” he says. “It’s underdeveloped, there’s huge opportunity and there’s big urbanisation from the youth population compared to other regions. Sub-Saharan Africa is certainly a growth opportunity and is certainly an area we are exploring to further our growth.” “We have already created a presence across our borders by exporting to Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Congo and Mozambique. We are stronger in some markets and are strategically working aggressively on obtaining a stronger presence in these countries. Freedom Stationery aspires to open
facilities in other African countries but presently we are looking at using local distributors and local partners. We have a fantastic relationship with our partners in SA and we would like to recreate that in Africa.” An example is Freedom’s partnership with premier software developer of Warehouse Management System (WMS) solutions, DATASCOPE Consulting. The two companies have built a relationship over several years and now DATASCOPE provides integrated supply chain software development and implementation to ensure Freedom’s warehousing and distribution operations run smoothly. Expansion and development of the company, as the national
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curriculum in South Africa continues to change, is vital. Competitors are only able to take share from each other in an economy that doesn’t grow so Freedom must remain efficient. “We do feel the pressure from competitors everyday; there are six or seven other big players in our industry and there are many importers and distributors. We have to be as efficient and creative as possible to stay ahead. To stay at number one is just as hard as getting to number one; everyone targets us and that’s only natural. Everyone is looking for market share but the market and the economy isn’t growing so we have to defend our share or lose it,” says Hans.