Lafarge promotes entrepreneurship
fumes of smoke from Lafarge cement factory
Lafarge Zambia Plc launched its Kumanga Franchise initiative which will enable new customers to become sole distributors of Lafarge Zambia’s cement brands and other building materials such as brick force wire, tile fix and steel rods.
This franchise is commercial strategy which fits well with Lafarge Zambia’s strategy of enhancing customer experience through the establishment of a commercial channel that presents the most effective ways of making products and services closer to consumers, thereby enhancing convenience of service. At the same time it will be promoting entrepreneurship, which is the sure way of owning businesses and creating more jobs in our country.
The launch was held on Friday at Kitwe, plot T83, Chamboli along Ndola, Kitwe road and it was officiated by the Copperbelt Permanent Secretary representative, Acting Kitwe District Commissioner Dr Chikafuna Banda, and the Lafarge Zambia CEO, Mr Emmanuel Rigaux represented by Human Resources Director Thecra Milambo.
Speaking at the event, the Lafarge Zambia Human Resource Ms Thecra Milambo said Kumanga is an innovative approach by Lafarge Zambia designed to promote greater access for consumers to their valued cement brands and other building products; it increases convenience, saves time and allows for the purchase of any quantity the consumer desires, all within the vicinity of their local community.
Ms Milambo said the Kumanga franchise will be on a contract of five years and Lafarge Zambia will provide a fully furnished container store to the customer.
“There is no monthly franchise fee, although the customer will be required to provide an initial capital of K 36,000 only, coupled with a monthly container rental fee of K 400. The Kumanga Container Store will only be used to sell products purchased under the Kumanga franchise”, She explained.
Ms Milambo also stressed that Lafarge Zambia remains committed to providing value for money innovations for all customers and stakeholders.
“We will ensure that we uphold all our values in the way we implement this franchise. As health and Safety is a core value, we encourage all partners to uphold these standards in their businesses too.” She said.
Meanwhile, Samacci Investment Managing Director Ms Ireen Bwembya thanked Lafarge Zambia for considering her to me the first franchisee in the copperbelt.
“As for me I am happy about this new journey I’m undertaking with Lafarge to serve the customers in the construction industry. I’m happy because Lafarge does not only make cement but they also provide construction solutions to their end users. And I believe I will not just sell their product but also learn a lot more solutions through their innovations in the constructions industry” She said.
The Acting Kitwe District Commissioner Dr Chikafuna Banda said he was happy to see that Lafarge Zambia is coming up with initiatives to supplement government efforts in creating jobs in the country.
“Ladies and gentlemen it is encouraging to see that Lafarge is working on complimenting government efforts to serve the customers interest in the trade industry. This Franchise will not only allow the public to easily access the product cheaply, easy and safe way but will also create income for the people who will own the container Shop and additional employment to people who will be selling in these stores” He said.
Dr Banda also urge other companies to emulate Lafarge in coming up with good initiative in delivering their services to their customers.
To roll out the initiative Lafarge has come up with a K1million Win a Container Shop Campaign and have five Kumanga containers shops to give away in the copperbelt. All you have to do is buy 10 bags of cement from our selected outlets in the Copperbelt, Sparrow and BuBu in Kitwe Misty Developments and Carymac Investments in Ndola, and House of Luanshya in Luanshya. The promotion is running from 1 June to July 31st 2016. Our Sales and Marketing team is available to give more information, so take part today!