BMG FEATURE

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When only the best will do BMG has been single-minded in its dedication to providing customers with products of the finest quality.

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Bearing Man Group FEATURE

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ince it was founded in Durban in 1974, Bearing Man Group (BMG) has been, according to its corporate website, “single-minded in its dedication to providing customers with products of the finest quality”. This uncompromising approach has been the foundation of BMG’s growth.

“The group has grown from a oneshop bearings company to Africa’s largest distributor of bearings, seals, power transmission components, gear products, belting and fasteners, hydraulics, electric motors and automotive products,” Ian King, sales and marketing director, says.

BMG has an extensive retail and wholesale branch distribution network, with outlets throughout South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, Botswana and Mozambique.

WINNING FORMULA What makes BMG different to anyone else is its ability to deliver customer’s needs through its entrepreneurial corporate culture. The company strives for excellence in all that it does and is always seeking new opportunities.

But that doesn’t mean BMG doesn’t work hard at building relationships and, in fact, the company has secured the exclusive supply, service and distribution agreements of some of the world’s most respected manufacturers of consumables.

“We have held exclusive and shared rights to numerous brands for many years and continue to build long-term relationships with our suppliers,” says King.

Its intensive sourcing policy ensures that “the best products and leading brands from around the world are supplied to local industry,” he adds.

SUCCESS BMG’s success, according to those that know, can be attributed to its expansion programme, where new products are launched to satisfy market demand. www.southafricamag.com

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Bearing Man Group FEATURE

A look at the company’s history reveals that it has grown considerably, not only as a result of the formation of many of its own retail and wholesale outlets, but also by the acquisition of strategic independent local distributors.

“It is a policy which works,” says King. “It allows for diversification of its product base to give the company vast synergies and broaden the range available to customers,’ he adds.

BMG ACQUIRES TURNKEY HYDRAULICS KZN A great example of BMG’s policy of acquisition is the recent acquisition of Turnkey Hydraulics - KZN, which the company completed earlier this year.

The deal formalised a 20-year association between the two firms and is full of potential for both companies.

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“This agreement, which formalises the association between BMG Hydraulics and Turnkey Hydraulics, augers well for both companies,” Charles Walters, BMG’s CEO, said in a release at the time. “With the team’s specialist expertise, BMG Hydraulics will have additional muscle to further enhance its product offering and expand its service to a broader customer base.

“The new operation now has the advantage of specialist cylinder and manifold manufacturing, an extensive repair and service facility and a comprehensive product range. These are critical services in the hydraulics sector.”

The acquisition was a big boost to BMG Hydraulics’ branch network, which now consists of Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Secunda and Durban outlets, King adds.

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EMPOWERMENT BMG is also committed to enhancing black empowerment through its South African operations.

The holding company’s BEE partner is aloeCap, which is a 100 percent black owned and managed company. It is held 90 percent by its founder black entrepreneurs and 10 percent by a trust established to benefit previously disadvantaged women.

“BMG is proud to work alongside dynamic business people who are making a positive impact on the South African economy,” the company says.

BMG is also involved in The Business Trust, which is an initiative of a large number of South African companies working in partnership with the Government to help provide sustained improvements in the lives of the underprivileged, targeting tourism development, job creation and crime prevention initiatives. www.southafricamag.com

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Bearing Man Group FEATURE

BRAND AMBASSADORS BMG has a philosophy to develop staff personally as the company grows, emphasising the need ‘TO LIVE THE BRAND’.

“Our vision is to enhance technical skills and customer service and relationship management across the organisation by training our people using appropriate tuition programmes,” says King.

“Two or three years ago we recognised a shortage of skill within the South African labour market and as a result launched our own academy, which we are putting all staff through, to ensure they have technical expertise throughout the company to maintain our reputation,” he adds. “We have technical specialists in each division advising staff, as well as customers to complement this initial training.”

BMG MILESTONES In 1977 Japanese bearings manufacturer NipponThompson awarded Bearing Man exclusive distribution rights for the IKO range in South Africa.

In 1991, Bearing Man took over the bearings division of Anglovaal’s Steelmetals, which had the sole SA rights to distribute the products of NSK of Japan, the second-largest bearings manufacturer in the world.

Bearing Man acquired Fenner Power Transmission distribution in 1998.

Bearing Man acquired Invicta Bearings in 2000, which serves as a second route to market. To conclude the deal, Bearing Man issued shares to Invicta Holdings, which became its controlling shareholder.

Bearing Man acquired Springset, a fastener business in 2004.

The company delisted in 2005 to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Humulani Investments (Pty) Ltd, a company controlled by Invicta Holdings Ltd. Bearing Man rebrands to form BMG (Bearing Man Group) in 2008.

BMG acquires Goldquest Hydraulics in 2008.

BMG acquires Turnkey Hydraulics in 2010.

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Agents for Stieber Clutches

Affiliation between Sprag Components cc and the Bearing Man Group began more than ten years ago.

This has grown extensively from supplying the Bearing Man Group Branches countrywide to manufacturing for the Power Drives Division.

Sprag Components cc offer technical back-up, design, drawings, manufacture and repair of sprag bearings, freewheels and backstops.

Stockholding of standard units provide immediate delivery for the Bearing Man Group.

Reg No: 1991/017881/23 Vat No: 474 013 2149 57 Eva Road, Fairleads, Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa P.O. Box 16355, Atlasville, 1465, South Africa Tel: +27 (0) 11 742 9600 / +27 (0) 11 965 0394 Fax: +27 (0) 11 965 0330 / +27 (0) 86 647 4299 E-mail: sprag@lantic.net / sales-sprag@lantic.net Website: www.sprag.edx.co.za Member: Mr W Swaffield Cell: +27 (0) 82 553 0717 E-mail: wayneswaffield@lantic.net

BRIGHT FUTURE According to King, BMG is well positioned to maintain and enhance its leading position in the South African engineering consumables sector. That is in no small part due to its quality focus and BMG’s ISO 9001: 2000 certification.

“We aim to provide a one-stop shop to companies across many different industries that involve engineering. We supply product and train all sales staff to advise on customers needs rather than just take orders,” King says.

“We also provide comprehensive aftersales support in terms of technical and engineering advice.

“Our success is due largely to our commitment and diversity, ensuring that we meet and exceed our customers expectations.” END

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