Alexander Forbes remains committed to empowering black business

Soweto panelbeater relocates for better market access

Alexander Forbes’ empowerment model which assists black owned panel beaters participate in the main stream auto-repair industry has increased its commitment to transforming the industry by supporting Zombodze Panelbeaters through its third upgrade.

The Adopt-a-Panel Shop initiative began in 2005 following a discussion between Gari Dombo, Managing Director, Alexander Forbes Insurance and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Johannesburg (Nafcoc JCCI). 2006 saw Zombodze Panelbeaters in Soweto become the first panel shop to receive an upgrade from Alexander Forbes.

Since then the Adopt-a-Shop initiative has been involved in the upgrade and accreditation of Toy Panelbeaters in Ga-Rankuwa, Five Star Auto Speedshop in Boksburg and Scratch Mobile at Oliver Tambo International Airport.

Situated in an airport, Scratch Mobile is a global first, affording air travelers the opportunity to have their vehicles repaired at the one time they don’t need their cars.

In 2007, 12 months after Zombodze had been operating from a refurbished workshop in Soweto, it was destroyed by fire.

Despite this setback Alexander Forbes maintained its commitment to Zombodze by helping it recover from the fire and re-establish its business.

By 2009, however, it became obvious that “despite the initial upgrades and refurbishments following the fire, Zombodze remained disadvantaged by its location in an informal industrial site in Soweto” said Errol Masinga of Alexander Forbes Risk and Insurance Services.

Security, accessibility, storage, sufficient working space as well as parking were all serious hurdles to the competitiveness of the business.

Furthermore, “Zombodze did not have all the equipment required for a South African Motor Body Repair Association (SAMBRA) grading. It also did not meet the requirements of motor manufactures” added Masinga.

As such, to help Zombodze compete favourably in the main stream automotive repair industry and receive vehicles from major insurers, Alexander Forbes has:

•Facilitated a partnership between Investment Solutions and Zombodze to co-fund and re-position the panelbeater.
•Assisted Zombodze relocate from an informal industrial site in Soweto to a high standard industrial site at Aeroton.
•Purchased new tools and equipment, and carried out necessary refurbishments.
•Secured the participation of SAMBRA, the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), and the National African Association of Automobile Service Providers (NAAASP), while assisting Zombodze gain the approval of some automobile manufacturers.

The Adopt-a-Shop initiative plans to go national with the upgrade of panelshops in Durban and Pietermaritzburg later this year.