Introduction

Tshepang Construction and Plant Hire, a well-established black-owned and women-led company, sought targeted interventions to unlock growth and maintain competitiveness in the dynamic construction industry. Through a strategic three-month Supplier Development Programme, the company received tailored quick-win solutions to address the company’s pressing needs.

Company Overview

Founded by William and Mahlodi Mokoena, Tshepang Construction and Plant Hire serves both private and public sectors, boasting a diverse clientele across various construction and infrastructure projects. The company’s workforce predominantly comprises women in key management, administrative, and operational roles, reflecting its commitment to empowerment and inclusivity.

The Challenges

Despite their industry experience and sustainable contracts, Tshepang Construction and Plant Hire faced challenges in succession planning and the lack of a comprehensive business development strategy. Additionally, there was a need to enhance operational capabilities by upskilling employees in critical areas such as fleet and equipment maintenance.

The Solution: Intasol Construction Services’ Supplier Development Programme

Intasol Construction Services contracted Zevoli Growth Partners to manage their Supplier Development Programme, with the key objective of onboarding participants as service providers. Through the three-month Programme, Zevoli Growth Partners provided Tshepang Construction and Plant Hire with tailored interventions to address their specific needs.

The programme provided coaching sessions focused on diversifying their service offerings, developing a business development and sales strategy, stakeholder mapping, digital networking, pitch preparations, and proposal development. This enabled the company to position itself as a preferred plant hire supplier for transformation initiatives in the mining sector. A grant was provided for a key employee to obtain a Phase 1 Diesel Mechanic qualification, enhancing the company’s ability to service and maintain its fleet efficiently.

Impact and Results  

The quick-win interventions delivered significant impact on Tshepang Construction and Plant Hire. The development of a comprehensive business development and sales strategy resulted in introductory meetings scheduled with potential clients like Northam Platinum and Glencore, Rustenburg. The upskilling of a key employee through the Phase 1 Diesel Mechanic qualification ensured efficient maintenance and service of the company’s equipment, increasing its operational capability.

Tshepang Construction and Plant Hire commended the swift and focused interventions, stating, “The interventions have changed our outlook and long-term projections for our business, and it has also showed us potential markets we have not tapped into.” Despite the programme’s length, the beneficiary acknowledged the positive impact, suggesting, “The programme could be a bit longer to facilitate practical implementation.”

Conclusion

Through the handful of interventions facilitated by the Intasol Construction Services Supplier Development Programme, Tshepang Construction and Plant Hire unlocked new avenues for growth and diversification. The tailored interventions provided a fresh perspective on market opportunities, enabling the company to position itself strategically for long-term success in the construction industry. This case study showcases the power of targeted business development support in driving sustainable growth and competitiveness for entrepreneurial ventures.