“Environment of doing business in Namibia – perspective of a local investor” by Sven Thieme WSDI/Namibia International Investment Conference Safari Conference Centre Windhoek, 31 October 2007
Topics: 1.Who we are 2. History/establishment era 3. Growth phase 4. Way forward and future 5. Namibia – Good Investment Destination
Who we are Proud history of investing into our own country “As pioneers in in their related industries, the Ohlthaver & List Group, is synonymous with Product innovation and the enhancement of socio-economic wealth in Namibia.” Largest privately held group outside the mining sector 80% of the total turnover is value adding Over 4000 employees Epia as empowerment partner Subdivided into seven industry-related Focus Groups
Who we are: a truly Namibian company 1. Focus group: Beverage
Who we are: a truly Namibian company 2. Focus group: Food
Who we are: a truly Namibian company 3. Focus group: Leisure
Who we are: a truly Namibian company 4. Focus group: Retail
Who we are: a truly Namibian company 5. Focus group: IT
Who we are: a truly Namibian company 6. Focus group: Property
Who we are: a truly Namibian company 7. Focus group: Services
Who we are: Vision and mission programme (Mwenyopaleka) Implemented during 2004 Aims to communicate vision, mission and values to all employees Encourages value driven culture Vision: To create wealth by building innovative and sustainable businesses and thereby enhancing living conditions and socio economic wealth. Mission: Everyday we challenge our past to improve the future for everyone.
History: a long established business … 1923 founded by Carl List and Hermann Ohlthaver in Windhoek Started as a banking establishment 1964: Werner List, Carl List’s son, takes over chairmanship Growth through acquisitions and vertical integration
Growth phase: Year 2002 Appointment of new management early 2002 Understand global competitive forces (Globalisation) Lack of skills and expertise (global dynamics) Lack of economies of scale Lack of access to best practice Lack of access to marketing best practice High costs base Lack of proper systems, processes and techniques Import increasing & export decreasing
Growth phase (continued): 1. Changed Management Change Management Programme Develop own Management & Talent Programmes Exchange programs Rotation programs Benefit Identify and build future talent Build future management capacity
Growth phase (continued): 2. Entered into various strategic partnerships Heineken (Heineken brand – most international) Diageo (largest beverage co in the world) Broll (within top two in SA property management) Pick ‘n Pay (one of the largest retailers in SA) Dimension Data (of the top network co in the world) Benefit Access to best practice Access to latest technologies & expertise Access to top people Exchange of people Promotion of export opportunities Access to brands
Growth phase (continued): 3. Execution of an aggressive plan (learned from the world and adopted to Namibia): Clear financial goals Critical success factors identified Clear enablers identified Clear initiatives taken to support to above Benefits Clear alignment Timeous execution
Growth phase (continued): 4. Key initiatives undertaken Implementation of state of art business systems Best practice in whatever we do Investment (about N$ 1 bn) in value add facilities & businesses, retail & commercial building, leisure etc. Investment into people Rationalized businesses Streamlined operations Value-adding focus (from commodity) Benefit To be as cost effective and efficient as possible Producing value add – maximise sales value To be sustainable
Growth phase (continued): 5. Innovation Part of our corporate vision Learned from the world - Adopted to Namibia Participation in worldwide trade-fairs Participation in most know-how & expertise forum in the world Benefits to become (if possible) a leader in what we do to be in the know of all latest technologies
Growth phase (continued): 6. HR is the agenda (People) Substantial investments in people Mwenyopaleka improved organisational culture & climate, enhanced labour productivity Performance management system (Appraisal and development plan) Employee health (comprehensive HIV testing, treatment and support) Benefits Nothing more then obvious what this will do
Results Doubled Turnover to 2.4 billion Doubled Asset base to 2.4 billion Despite restructuring the businesses – employment increased to Close to 1 billion invested over the last three years Dramatic increase in exports New businesses created State of art systems & processes implemented Major Value adding production facilities New innovations launched
Way forward & the future New Joint Venture created with Kempinski/IFA - establish a 5 star portfolio in Namibia to the value of N$ 550 million, Expand into Southern Africa using current bilateral, multilateral and similar agreements, Use the access to 190 million customers and consumers in Souther Africa
Namibia – Good Investment Destination Macroeconomic conditions (Free Market Economy, Stable political environment, Good legal system, Stable tax rates and regime) Physical infrastructure (Roads, Rail, Flight services, ports, telecommunication, etc.) Major trade agreements (AGOA, SADC, SACU, preferential treatments for Namibian products) Foreign Investment Act (Special incentives for manufacturers/exporters) Life style/social infrastructure (quality of life, medical services, education etc.)
Namibia – Good Investment Destination Industry Sectors of potential Mining Tourism Agriculture Aquaculture Fishing (value adding) Value adding manufacturing Services
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