Kohler Auto leading the way to true transformation
Isuzu dealers in South Africa are serious about transformation.
Take Köhler Auto in Mpumalanga for example. The dealership, which has a proud history of servicing the local community since its establishment in 1925, has recently transformed to be a 51% black-owned dealership.
Köhler Auto Dealer Principal and Managing Director Max Köhler said negotiations started around June 2018, the transaction was concluded in October and finalised in December last year.
"We need a growing economy for our country to prosper, and for wealth to be more evenly distributed. Our new B-BBEE status will ensure that we can serve our customers - including the surrounding mines and their contractors - even better by further investing in our equipment, staff and suppliers," said Köhler.
Köhler Auto is responsible for Isuzu light commercial vehicle sales in the eMalahleni (formerly Witbank) region, and prides itself on personal service, a modern workshop and skilled technicians.
They found their perfect equity partner in the Siyandisa Trust, a group of senior professionals with a legal background.
In addition to achieving Köhler Auto's transformation goals, the Siyandisa Trust adds value to their partners by making contributions in the fields of new business development, corporate governance and compliance-related matters.
"They provide access to B-BBEE initiatives such as supplier and enterprise development, skills development, procurement and socio-economic development, as well as the Siyandisa Foundation Scholarship Programme, which invests in future leaders," said Köhler.
Siyandisa Trust CEO John Mophethe said for Köhler Auto transformation is viewed as a holistic and continuous process which goes beyond mere compliance.
"Köhler Auto is in the process of finalising its latest B-BBEE scorecard in conjunction with experts appointed by Siyandisa to ensure maximum compliance under all scorecard elements. The initiatives implemented under the various scorecard elements will not only ensure solid B-BBEE credentials in the long run but will also be in line with Kohler Auto's larger objective of ensuring meaningful contributions to transformation on a broad-based level," said Mophethe.
"We firmly believe that our collaboration will create new business opportunities for Köhler Auto through gaining access to Siyandisa's extensive network of investor companies and strategic partners which will ultimately realise growth and value," Mophethe concluded.
