management and service team, the journey has been rewarding for the firm and its customers. “I remember opening our first service station in Harare at Amby in 2005, closely followed by Lewisam and Chitungwiza in 2006. The success of these sites laid the foundation for our expansion to currently 70 service stations - and along the way we have learnt how best to grow and manage the business for our customers,” said Tafadzwa Chigumbu, founding Managing Director of the company. “In addition to the retail network that is evenly spread across the country – and growing – Redan has also put in a lot of investment in strategic depots located in Harare, Beitbridge, Chirundu and Victoria Falls to ensure accessibility, convenience and security of supplies for all our customers.” Redan is credited with having introduced and managed the most efficient and userfriendly ‘bar-coded fuel coupon’ system in Zimbabwe during the country’s hyperinflationary times in the early 2000s. The fuel coupon enabled many individuals, families and companies to enjoy reliable supply and the coupon’s credibility was so significant that it caused a “de-facto” transactional currency. This organisational attitude and value-system for excellence was imbedded at the formation of Redan and has become a cultural strength that is packaged in the continual diversity of products and services. Over the years, the management has continued to review and engage new internal and external systems to benefit the customer and guarantee the company’s sustainability and re-invention. With so much dependent on technology, Redan is afoot with plans to evolve aspects of its delivery channels and customer experience. The company is moving towards “cashless” fuel purchases, boutique forecourt stores and ‘smart generation’ services. At the core of the administration, management and team dynamics are the customer’s experience and the duty to fulfil expectations in the city, suburbia and also the highway. As a testament to the comfort and confidence Zimbabwe has for Redan, the company was recognised by the Marketers Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ) Super Brand 2011 award in the “best category for oils, fuels and lubricants”. “We take pride in being recognised as a leading brand but we also recall how we are the company that served the longest fuel
queue – from Amby to Enterprise road – of almost 10 kilometres but again, that’s just a demonstration of our desire to serve. That’s what we value most – our service to our customers,” commented Saskia Culverwell, who has been with the company from the very beginning. Redan has a very clear path of pursuit in Zimbabwe and certainly, the region, as its progressive model is adaptable to different environs that demand a compact and relatable service culture. All of Redan’s service stations are fully equipped with dispenser tools for diesel, petrol, liquid petroleum gas and pressure, while maintaining the highest standards of safety. It is quite telling that the vision of Redan is not theoretical but an actual
deliverable that is heavily knit in the fabric of the company’s combined efforts - and the last decade carries evidence towards becoming “the leading oil company and employer of choice in sub-Saharan Africa”. The recognisable results to date have been deliberately achieved by the individual and corporate attitude of Redan’s team members; and the future of what will come from seeking a higher level of excellence will go towards cementing the brand equity. While the journey of Redan continues from every organisational and functional aspect, as our pay-off line boldly exclaims, it remains our dedicated focus to ensure that we “make your journey better”.
www.redan.co.zw Best of Zimbabwe
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