Hardware dealers tipped on how to create partnerships to grow business for generations.

Hardware dealers under their umbrella organization Construction and Hardware Dealers Association (CHADA) convened for the Annual Dealers Conference 2022, organized by Uganda Baati to discuss various issues pertaining to the success of the sub-sector.

During the annual conference held on Friday at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Themed “Partnerships for shared success” The Head of Business at Uganda Baati, George Arodi, said that the dealers and partners account for up to 60% of income accrued from the market which he said is dominated by family businesses, unlike structured private companies.

While applauding the dealers for their contribution in the industry, Arodi in picture below, said that Uganda Baati’s objective is to equip dealers with models and systems that will enable them to thrive up to the next generations.

“We have actually related over the years through research so that they are able to grow beyond the second generation and we want to unpack the reasons why they can’t actually be able to grow,” he said.

During an interview on the sidelines of the conference, the executive Director of the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) Daniel Birungi applauded Uganda Baati for convening the dealers which he said will address any challenges and ways to grow the industry.

 “We commend Uganda Baati for this conversation to say how we work together to ensure that the product sent to the market is affordable for everyone involved,” he said

The Lead, Marketing, Communication, & External Affairs, Safal Group Director Anthony Nganga, said that in order to create convenience for customers, the Safal Group where Uganda Baati belongs, established an e-commerce platform to support the supply and distribution of the group’s products.

“What we have realized over the years is that customers seek more convenience because they do not have the time to go to the bank to withdraw money to be able to pay, they don’t have time to be able to walk to your shops and to be able to place that order. They don’t have the time,” he said.

During a panel discussion at the conference, the Chairman CHADA & Managing Director, Build Max Hardware Hajji Abbas Mutyaba in picture above, said that there is a need to institute a culture of succession plans and sharing in business and create family members’ conversations to adopt good practices in family businesses.

"We should teach our children how to share so that our businesses can survive to the next generation" he said

The panel was moderated by  the External and Corporate Affairs Manager, Uganda Baati Limited Ian Rumanyika, pictured below.

Dr. Peter Kimbowa, the leadership expert, advised hardware owners to emphasize building family businesses which he said have had a different way in which they have excelled because of their togetherness and commitment.

“Founders of businesses have an exaggerated sense of self and opinion; they would rather have fun at family parties than talk about businesses. You should know that in a family conversation, the business should be part since it brings a different form of pride to have a family working together”  he said

Uganda Baati Limited is a member of the Safal Group of companies. The Safal Group is the largest steel roofing company in Africa . The group has metal coating lines in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda & South Africa, including colour coating lines in Kenya & South Africa. Safal is the first organization in Africa to have set up the Aluminium-Zinc coating technology.

Founded in 1964 – Uganda Baati was the first company in the East African region to set up an ultra-modern Continuous Galvanizing line. With branches in Tororo and Arua, Showrooms in Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja and Mbale. Uganda Baati is the country’s leading manufacturer and supplier of roofing sheets and has the widest range of roofing products in galvanized, aluminum-zinc coated and pre-painted material. Uganda Baati is a specialist in providing customized roofing solutions.