South Africa’s fastest-growing document solutions company, Itec, aims to consolidate and strengthen its offices in the SADC region, says founder and CEO Jacques Duyver.
The document solution provider is a key importer of Konica Minolta copters, printers, faxes and multifunctional products, which arc distributed In Southern Africa under the Itec umbrella.
The automation distributor bought the rights for Konica six years ago. and has been distributing Konica Minolta products for the last eight months, since the two Japanese companies merged
Sandton-based Itec has thus established its presence in African countries tin behalf of its overseas principals.
In total, the SADC outlets contribute R50-million to Itec’s R7OO-million turnover.
Even though most of Itec’s revenue is derived locally. The company’s footprint extends into several African countries including Botswana. Lesotho. Mozambique. Zimbabwe. Namibia, Swaziland and Reunion island.
One of the reasons for the company’s presence in these African countries is that it has to service ice its existing client base, which has been created by customers such as DHL.
"With our South African customers already having a presence in these countries, Itec is expected to provide a full range of services." he adds.
Moreover, Duyver believes that South African businesses have an inherent responsibility for developing the African continent.
"We arc committed to servicing and establishing resources for our African neighbours, despite the fact that they are small contributors to our total turnover." says Duyver. On a global front, it is essential to be aware that countries’ economic climates do change. Therefore, it is important to establish a market when anticipating change, explains Duyver.
Currently, the company is only responsible for some SADC countries and these agencies were awarded to the distributor by its Japanese principals.
There have, however, been some discussions regarding Itec’s responsibility for Central and East African countries, such as Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya
At this stage, Japan is responsible for business in these countries.
In terms of feasibility and viability, it makes tense for Itec to distribute Konica Minolta products into the rest of Africa, especially since Japan can only distribute bulk packages, notes Duyver.
Hence he is confident that Japan will eventually award these rights to the South African firm.
The company’s most successful African outlet is in Botswana and, coincidentally, this country also happens to be one of SA DC’s most economically stable countries.
Duyver attributes its success to its employees.