14 minute read
Design Centre
DESIGN CENTRE
inspiration and excellence
text by Michael Nott | photos by Structure and Design
DESIGN CENTRE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2021 WITH THE AIM OF PROVIDING PREMIUM CONSTRUCTION FINISHES SUCH AS TILES AND SANITARY WARE; AN EXCLUSIVE RANGE OF TUBS AND SHOWER SETS, TOILET SETS, HAND BASINS AND VANITIES, CLADDING, MOSAICS, LAMINATES AND CARPETS. SITUATED AT NUMBER 56 MCCHLERY AVENUE EASTLEA, HARARE DESIGN CENTRE HAS ALREADY MADE A NAME IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
Design Centre is a sister company to Tile and Carpet Centre, Ceiling Aluminium and Partitioning Solutions (CAAPS) and Plumbing Wholesalers. It specialises in the supply of premium quality construction finishes targeted for the upmarket residential and commercial projects.
The complex is designed to provide a one stop shop to luxurious interior and exterior finishes. It also houses its sister companies Ceiling and Aluminium Partitioning Solutions (CAAPS) that specialises in aluminium, windows, doors, shop fronts, glass, ceilings and all types of partitions.
Within Design Centre you will find a number of eye catching construction products from internationally recognised brands that will satisfy any customer needs.
We also have experienced in-house interior experts providing free full working drawings as well as free calculations of materials required be it flooring, aluminium and glass, plumbing, sanitary ware and cladding.
Design Centre carries the widest range of products suitable for designers, architects, contractors and individuals who may require exclusive finishes. We in partnership with established manufacturers of designer products around the world, can customise specific products to suit customer needs.
Similarly its sister company CAAPS who have been in the aluminium business for over 10 years has become a leading supplier of quality aluminium, glass, ceilings, office partitions and wooden doors and can also customise products to suit specific customer needs. We are also able to offer customised aluminium windows and doors for both commercial and domestic requirements with the highest quality of materials in the remarkably short lead times. We pride ourselves in providing products that we can guarantee durability as well as quality. In the spirit of empowerment our organisation has partnerships with shop fitters, and tillers who are well trained and recommended by the organisation.
Our job is to ensure your safety Always
always safe
ABOUT US
Our vision is to provide excellent services to the nation at competitive rates without compromising quality. We have worked with many large corporates in and around Zimbabwe including Kefalos, Tile & Carpet Centre, Pepsi and so many more...
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE
Visit us at 23 Somerset Drive, Eastlea Harare. Or visit our website at www.ironblock.co.zw for more information about our company‘s services. Email us at info@ironblocksec.co.zw/ ironblocksec@gmail.com or call +263 242 741 552
DESIGN CENTRE Suppliers List
Royal Properties Electrosales Openhouse Halsted Timbers M Electricals Steelmate CAAPS Lafarge Obrim Bricks Blodwell Maintenance Zuvarabuda Plumbers Chubb Alarms Vtech Elevators Fourways Concrete Neto Agregates Wisejet Cranes Saltrama Plastics Ironblock Security Sterling Ironcraft Henry Driveways Coventry Road Plasterers Jay Solar Mike Appel Afka Fire Agencies Waycomp Solutions Daccah Metal Fabricators Paragon Engineering
Corporation.
17004 Sande Crescent, Graniteside, Harare +263 8677000920 +263 77 466 2212 solutions@waycomp.net www.waycomp.net
We help customers of all sizes by providing ICT solutions that deliver results and bring value to businesses. With our extensive product o erings and personalized support, we take pride in collaborating with our customers to serve their ICT needs.
STERLING IRONCRAFT
Manufacturers and Suppliers of
Electric and manual gates, garage doors, clear view fencing, Diamond mesh fencing, steel structures, general steel fabrication
Design Centre’s philosophy is that no job is too big or too small and every job receives the same attention to detail and outstanding service. Whether it’s one room in your house, a large office complex, a cluster home development, a lodge or a hotel, Design Centre has the experienced staff and the full technical and operational capabilities as well the product range to back it up.
To enhance the shopping experience at Design Centre, customers can enjoy a refreshing beverage or delicious meal from the in house gourmet coffee shop Café Lux which is conveniently located on site.
Drop in to Design Centre, situated at 56 McChlery Avenue in Eastlea, Harare for some inspiration – you can see some of their design skills in the way their offices have been put together. Other recent clients from the group include the renovations for OK Supermarkets, Holiday Inn renovations, Arundel High School, Harare International School, NUST, RTG Bulawayo refurbishments , the Iranian Embassy and Old Mutual Properties among many others.
CONTACT DETAILS
Call: 0719554364 | 08677008941 | 0242776034/39 Email: sales@designcentrezim.co.zw or melissa@designcentrezim.co.zw Design Centre opening times: Monday to Friday 8am-6pm | Saturday 8am- 2pm | Sunday 9am-1pm Or clients can book a consultation with Melissa on 0719554364
Address:
200 Robert, Mugabe Road, Harare, Zimbawe
Telephone:
+263 718 323 920 / +263 733 248 558 +263 775 019 285 / +263 242 490152
Email:
sales@wisejetcranes.co.zw info@wisejetcranes.co.zw
Atlas Copco distributor, MIKE APPEL INDUSTRIAL, continues to breathe new air into Zimbabwe’s industrial compressor market
THE APPOINTMENT OF MIKE APPEL INDUSTRIAL, A DIVISION OF THE MIKE APPEL GROUP, AS ATLAS COPCO COMPRESSOR TECHNIQUE’S AUTHORISED DISTRIBUTOR IN ZIMBABWE JUST OVER A YEAR AGO, HAS BEEN A RESOUNDING SUCCESS.
Thanks to this valuable partnership customers across the region continue to reap the rewards of superior quality product delivery supported by excellent after-sales service.
“There is no doubt that partnering with a company like Atlas Copco, a world- renowned pioneer in compressed air research, technology and sustainability, gives us a competitive edge, evidenced by our healthy supply of new capitaI equipment to Zimbabwean mining and industrial customers during the first year of our distributorship,” states The Mike Appel Group’s Managing Director, Lindsay Chanakira. “This includes the delivery and installation of two GA250 screw compressors on a gold mine, with reports of satisfaction with both machines, as well as the upgrade of a GA200 compressor from 7.5 bar to 10 bar at a platinum mine.”
Alongside an order for a ZE4 blower Mike Appel Industrial commissioned a new GA250 compressor for a cement giant and also won a tender for the supply of two ZT45 compressors to one of the biggest hospitals in Zimbabwe.
The business relationship between the two companies started in 2015 with Mike Appel Industrial supplying Atlas Copco industrial diesel generators to Zimbabwe’s mining, healthcare, agro-processing, construction, manufacturing and telecommunications sectors.
“Mike Appel’s exceptional reputation in Zimbabwe’s business arena that spans an impressive 72 years is what earned the company Atlas Copco’s authorised distributorship,” states Compressor Technique’s Business Development Manager - Daryn Jack. “As they have been actively servicing customers in our industry and in various other avenues for many years, formalising the relationship by signing them on as our authorised distributor and in so doing, assisting and servicing customers in our portfolio, simply made sound business sense.”
In line with the distributor agreement which was signed in October 2019 Mike Appel Industrial supplies Atlas Copco Compressor Technique’s extensive stationary electric compressor portfolio of oil-injected and oilfree piston, scroll, tooth, vane and screw type machines as well as preventative maintenance kits and accessories.
The Mike Appel Group’s footprint has expanded exponentially since its founding in 1948 to provide precision engineering services to the growing Zimbabwean motor industry. Today the Mike Appel Group serves diverse markets across the country. Alongside compressors other areas of specialisation include engineering services, the supply of motor spares, generators, lighting towers and solar solutions.
“Our vision to lead in the area of engineering services in Zimbabwe ensures that our approach to all our projects is driven by excellence, professionalism and quality,” comments Lindsay. “Our proud reputation for the delivery of quality products coupled with excellent service from a team of highly trained, experienced professionals to our individual and corporate customers is augmented by our strategic partnerships with reliable and trusted global brands like Atlas Copco.”
Elaborating on the Atlas Copco brand Lindsay points out that as the founder of industrial compressed air back in 1873 the company possesses an extensive amount of knowledge and insight which they openly share with industries relying on compressed air. “Moreover, Atlas Copco compressors and spares typically operate beyond their design lifecycle and are accompanied by warranties, translating to the lowest cost of ownership for customers.”
According to Lindsay Atlas Copco is the only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that provides an after-market service for compressors in Zimbabwe so their machines are the preferred brand for heavy industrial applications consequently attracting vast numbers of long-term customers and partners across the country. “Added to this Atlas Copco compressors are equipped with SmartLink technology which facilitates remote monitoring of machines in the field.”
Lindsay goes on to laud Compressor Technique’s experienced team of technicians that cater to site inspections and preventative and breakdown maintenance for Mike Appel Industrial’s vast clienteIe. “We also receive back-up support from Atlas Copco’s Product Specialists in South Africa,” she adds.
According to Daryn Atlas Copco considers distributor support as essential in maintaining successfuI distributor partnerships and he elaborates on the various support channels available to Atlas Copco distributors, “Dedicated Product Managers from the new equipment division assist with technical information and share knowledge on new units and Sales Representatives render assistance with technical proposals, pricing, etc. Our distributors also have access to our Technical Specialists for advice on all troubleshooting issues on our machinery and there is also a dedicated contact for spare parts support. As their dedicated Business Development Manager, I am the direct liaison between Mike Appel Industrial and Atlas Copco Compressor Technique. I assist them to develop and grow the areas of business in the country by conducting regular regional visits to their premises and attending customer meetings with them to show customers that our distributors have Atlas Copco’s full support.”
Atlas Copco extends this support through regular distributor training offering platforms such as online theory, self- training, online/ virtual product (product launches) and technical training sessions to keep technicians up to date on technical knowledge. Advanced technical training is also offered at Atlas Copco’s training academy in Egypt.
“Additionally, we conduct onsite training for the technical teams of both our distributors and customers and I provide support during customer visits as and when needed,” said Daryn.
Atlas Copco’s range of training programs for Mike Appel Industrial’s technicians and sales personnel has impressed Lindsay which she says helps them to continue expanding their scope and expertise in the field. “We found the weekly distributor online product training sessions hosted by Atlas Copco Compressor Technique South Africa’s Industrial Air Division during October and November 2020 extremely valuable.”
Adding further value and convenience for distributors are Atlas Copco’s online spare parts ordering and processing systems. Distributors have access to the Global Business Portal that allows them to gain access to all Atlas Copco equipment, including new products and developments, accessories and compressor related information of a technical or sales nature which Lindsay describes as “extremely useful”, adding that this information is also readily available on the Atlas Copco website.
Turning to the subject of challenges and opportunities within the Zimbabwean landscape Lindsay says, “Although we face a number of challenges in Zimbabwe, there are some great opportunities too. The fact that there is vast room for improvement and development in all major sectors of our economy such as mining, manufacturing and agriculture is providing an opportunity for small and medium-scale start-up enterprises that would otherwise struggle to compete in saturated markets, as evident in developed countries, to thrive. In addition, Zimbabwe has large reserves of raw materials and minerals required to produce high value capital equipment as well as the personnel to implement such.”
Wrapping up, Daryn says, “As distributors are ultimately an extension of our business it is important that they share Atlas Copco’s Vision and Mission and that their Core Values align with ours. In addition the service they provide must be of sound product and technical expertise, all of which Mike Appel Industrial has most certainly upheld. Their professionalism and unparalleled service delivery combined with their impressive footprint and market presence in Zimbabwe are win-wins for both companies and add value for our customers across the region.”
He continues, “We are extremely privileged to have them as our authorised distributor in Zimbabwe; through this partnership we look forward to even bigger and greater things from The Mike Appel Group to the ultimate benefit of our customers.”
Stockists of original brands
Distributors of quality hardware, plumbing, sanitary and kitchenware, engineering and civil products
MANUFACTURING DISTRIBUTION
HARDWARE SANITARYWARE PLUMBING KITCHEN ENGINEERING CIVIL PRODUCTS
OUR STRENGTH
• Our quality and diverse brands. • Product Knowledge • Unique business model of being a recognised Distributor of quality brands • Consolidation of a full solution and break bulk
Full Basket Offering Strong Brands Brand Management Marketing Load Consolidation Channel Management
MARKET SEGMENTS
Pipes Infrastructure & Engineering Plumbing Hardware Manufacturing Building Technical Expertise Product Knowledge Specification Assistance
BRANDS
SERVICES WE CAN PROVIDE
• Specifications on products • Tender Pricing • Consolidation loads • Project quotes • Liasing with freight forwaders of your choice to get product delivered directly to site • Scheduling by project timelines(stock availability when you need it) • Local branches can assist with on ground fill in stock (additional stock availability) • In country technical and product expertise (were we have a Dawn Africa Branch)
