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Bring on 2023 bigger and better
COVER STORY Bring on 2023 bigger and better
Growing market footprint, expanding the product range and extending services are all on the cards for steel and fluid control products supplier Stewarts & Lloyds (S&L) in 2023. Pipes, Pumps & Valves Africa finds out more.
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Hobbled by high-interest rates, punishing inflation and an ongoing war in Europe the global economy has not had an easy year. Locally, tough economic conditions have been an ongoing challenge for businesses across the board. For the team at Stewarts & Lloyds, it has been no different, but they have also seen it as an opportunity to pull together and work better – and harder - than ever before. Branch managers Chantal Car, Pumps, and Jonathan Odell, Irrigation, maintain that now is the time to ensure customers have the best products and the best prices in the market.
“Covid was not very kind to many companies,” says Car. “S&L’s top management was action- orientated and made sure the team stood together. We have leaders in the industry that kept our whole team together. With this, our post-Covid period was very good for our company.” It also allowed the company to identify numerous opportunities. “Our pumps and irrigation branch has realised the difficulties the pandemic has brought to our customers,” says Odell. “This has been compounded by the difficult economic situation many companies continue to face. The price of fuel, inflation, interest rates and ongoing load shedding are all very real challenges our customers are having to deal with. We are working closely with our customers to ensure they have not only the products that they need but the best products at the most competitive pricing possible at their fingertips.” This has not been an easy undertaking considering that the economic climate has caused havoc with the pricing of imported products. With shipping and fuel costs having skyrocketed companies are having to come up with innovative ways to remain competitive and continue to add value to their clients. For Odell and Car, customer service must stand out. “A lot of time and effort is taken to ensure our team is always at the top of their game. Training is a critical factor in our business and it is ongoing. We ensure that our team are at all times trained and skilled on every product in our range and can deliver a high standard of service to our customers meeting their needs and making sure they are getting the best deal possible.”
Next step
The pump and irrigation branch is doing a complete
“We are looking at growing in the market and making sure all our customers’ needs are met. This is a very exciting time for the company, and we believe the future in the fluid control industry will be taking off,” says Car. “Our economy is making sure we are kept up to speed and with the times to make sure we are growing steadily. If you look at all the water shedding we are having, the waterlines that constantly need maintenance, the sewage drainage issues as well as basic farming needs, we will be able to assist in all areas. Increasingly homeowners are requesting boreholes and water tanks.” “This is keeping us extremely busy, and we see the need for more owners to look at being self-sufficient in the future.”Loadshedding has also seen a move towards more off-grid solutions being sought. “Homeowners and businesses alike are wanting to be less dependent on the electricity grid. We continue to expand our range of products to meet these needs, particularly looking at renewable energy solutions such as solar. Delivering cost-saving solutions is just as important in these economic times,” says Odell. “We are also always on the lookout for products that are bringing these savings to clients, pumps that use less electricity and deliver better consumption.” He says the solar pump ranges will attract a diverse client base to the business giving them a wide range of different options. “We need to accommodate the load shedding and water shedding we have in our country as it is not going anywhere in the foreseeable future.” Both Car and Odell see solar systems growing in popularity and predict that they will dominate the marketplace going forward. “We want to provide homeowners with the tools and accessories to allow them to take their houses off the grid and allow them to become self-sustained,” says Odell.
Expanding the footprint
As a trusted name in the industry Stewarts & Lloyds has continued to see growth in the market. Next year marks 120 years in the business. “We take care of our team, we take care of our clients, and we strive to make sure our service is the best,” says Car. “We are always trying to keep ahead of the market, making sure our products are up to date and all our products are within the scope that our customers require.” “We believe in building trusted relationships, making sure all our customers feel welcome and making sure when they leave our retail stores, they are more than satisfied with our service.” More recently, new branches were opened in Polokwane, Limpopo, and Windhoek, in Namibia. This has allowed for improved customer experiences in these areas while allowing S&L to offer its customers a larger basket of goods than before.
Consequently, the company can add to its purchasing volumes, with branches placing it in a stronger position when negotiating prices, and be more competitive in the market, which, in turn, allows customers to benefit. Going forward expansion will continue to take place not only in the local market but also across the borders, growing its footprint and market share as a group.
