inTeRioR baR design

Top designeRs To compeTe in building a mobile bRandy baR

Some of South Africa’s best designers are gearing up to showcase their skills and interpretation of excellence in the Fine Brandy By Design Competition. The competition has challenged entrants to design a Modular Mobile Brandy Bar aimed at enhancing the consumer experience at tasting events.

The winner of the competition will receive R50 000 and a life-size replica of the winning project will be revealed at the Design Capital of the World – 2014 International Design Indaba. Fine Brandy By Design announced a Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp at the Gauteng launch of Fine Brandy Bar Design competition at Sandton Convention Centre two-year sponsorship deal making them the official brandy supplier of the International Design Indaba. This relationship seeks to create premium brandy consumer experiences that drive and elevate the aspirational appeal and consumer acceptability of the category as a whole. “By having the Bar Design Initiative competition, we’re combining our best brandies in the portfolio that are crafted and designed to be exceptional and worthy of internationally recognised awards, with the best of South Africa’s design talent, and we will showcase the excellence that is design through the creation of our Mobile Brandy Bar”, Else added.

Gauteng based designers Megan Hesse and Andrea Kleinloog at the launch of Fine Brandy Bar Design

The competition field will include approximately 35 pre-selected established South African Designers, emerging creative top design students and 15 wildcard entries.

Ten of South Africa’s best designers will participate in the competition. They include Cape Town-based Piers Mansfield, Lyall Sprong, Lucas Adams, Gavin Rajah and Willard Musarurwa. Straaten and Gregory Katz. Radio and TV personality Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp was the host for the evening.

“Our association to the Design Indaba was created in order to position the brand in an environment that not only allows it to engage with its key target market but to tell the brand story which symbolizes creativity, diversity and versatility”, commented Fine Brandy By Design Marketing Manager, Shelley Else.

aRch ReTail sysTems

Arch Retail is a locally developed retail management solution suitable for Supermarkets, Wholesalers, Cash & Carry, Bottle Stores, Hardware Stores, Bakeries and Fresh Produce Outlets. The integrated POS and Back Office solution optimises the management of the store, by addressing critical issues such as price maintenance, stock control, optimal ordering, POS efficiency and provide extensive management reports, ensuring accurate information for management purposes. The ultimate success of Arch is evident in the increase of Gross Profit, flowing from increased control. The system also offers innovative Value Add’s, integrated into Arch, such as debit/credit card transactions at POS, pre-paid airtime at POS, client loyalty system and financial integration into the better known accounting packages. The software is complemented by innovative hardware solutions, specifically developed for harsh retail conditions. Arch is operational in 800+ stores all over Southern Africa and supported by superb service from Branches countrywide. Our slogan says it all, “OUR PASSION, YOUR EDGE”.

Contact details: 011 – 312 0853 Dean abrahams: 071 – 384 1779 Johan Meyer: 071 – 384 1199 www.archsoftware.co.za

The daihaTsu gRan max – a baRgain buy

Every now and then at work, something surprises you when you least expect it. For us here at Spotong Magazine, that surprise came from the one ton Daihatsu Gran Max. This little workhorse was not only much cheaper than we would have imagined, but it was also economical. The Gran Max, like most cars in this category is no show stopper with regards to looks, but it is built for a purpose and it looks like it will get the job done. It is a compact drop-side with a very unique design and stands out next to its competition. The cabin is shaped like a bubble which does give the driver a lot more space than the exterior suggests but over long distances this car is not very comfortable. The ride itself is quite stiff and hurts the back a little on the longer journeys, but around town the Gran Max is nippy and very easy to drive. It darts in and out of traffic and gives you confidence behind the wheel. You know what it can do and you learn very quickly how to drive it.

Although it will never win a drag race, while driving the Gran Max, we never felt like the engine needed more power. It was very willing and able to get up to speed, even with a load on the back and was very comfortable on the road amongst other cars. Parking these utility vehicles is often difficult, but because the Gran Max is so small and compact, it was very easy to manoeuvre into shopping parking spaces and those tricky parallel bays around town. The fuel consumption impressed us the most, we were able to do more than 600km in a week from a 43 litre tank. Although we would suggest taking that number as a guideline, for a car of its size, it is the best we have seen in a while.

All of the above would mean little or nothing at all if the Gran Max wasn’t value for money. There are two models to choose from and their prices range from R139 995 to R149 995. In the grand scheme of things, we believe that those prices are excellent, and what you

Images courtesy of quickpic.co.za

get in return for your investment is well worth the money. Cars are often seen as depreciating assets and money pits, but the Gran Max is a prime example of how you can turn your spend into a return for your business. The Gran Max will open up a world of possibilities for you and could definitely help you take your business to the next level. Daihatsu are also famous for offering good deals for you to get behind the wheel of one of their cars, and if you choose to make the Gran Max part of your working fleet, you should be able to reap the rewards as quickly as you can drive this Daihatsu.

They say dynamite comes in small packages, and after a week behind the wheel of this little work horse, we were blown away.