15 Nov 2017

Ms Margret Mokgosi and Ms Merina Newman a re the directors of Hansonic Concrete Products (Pty) Ltd, a citizen-owned company that is located in Francistown Dumela industrial area.

The company is dedicated to manufacturing of roofing tiles and bricks.

The two sisters took a risk by following their passion and penetrating a clearly male-dominated industry.

They funded the business themselves and began operations in November 2014 and joined Local Enterprise Authority (LEA)’s mentorship in 2015.

Although Ms Mokgosi studied accounting and her counterpart studied sales and marketing, their love for beautiful buildings brought them together and pushed them to venture into something that contributes largely to the industry.

During a LEA media tour recently, a visit to the site proved beyond reasonable doubt how the sisters are committed to producing quality products with unique features.

Hansonic Concrete Products manufactures a variety of roofing tiles such as the double roman, tapered ridges, V-ridges and hipstaters.

As for bricks, they manufacture 4.5 inch, 6 inch, and the 9 inch.

It goes without saying that without the mentorship of LEA, the business would not be where it is currently.

LEA has assisted Hansonic Concrete Products with Entrepreneurial Development Training, business planning, technology audit, market linkages, occupational health, basic fire training, trade fair readiness coaching, trade fair facilitation and procurement forum.

Hansonic has applauded LEA for their support such as their cooperation when enquiries were made, assistance in knowledge and training, supervision of business progress and provision of opportunities.

During the media team tour of the site, Ms Mokgosi said LEA afforded Hansonic a branding package that helped them turn into a household brand.

She further explained that since the business is still growing, they produce per order and dispatch, adding that it takes three to four days to complete an order.

They have five employees on site, but occasionally require the services of temporary workers when they have larger orders.

Responding to a question posed on how they set themselves apart from other businesses in the industry, Ms Mokgosi emphasised that at Hansonic they pride themselves with manufacturing goods that are of top quality.

She added that they educate clients on what products to purchase and help with estimations, something that other companies do not do, indicating that they sometimes suggest contractors that clients could use.

Although the company is still in the process of acquiring Botswana Bureau of Standards certification, they emphasised that they comply with international standards and were hopeful to acquire the certification soon through the assistance of LEA.

Other challenges they are faced with include lack of water supply in the area, which forces them to commute a long distance in order to fetch water.

Ms Mokgosi commented that they are still in the process of raising funds to purchase a plot for operation in the area.

She said since clients could not reach their current location easily due to shortage of transport to Dumela Industrial, they had to go an extra mile to collect clients from town. BOPA