Alwin General Trading
| Business Location: | Rural area - Villages |
| Province | Limpopo |
| Branch: | Vhembe |
| Business Start Date: | |
| Busniess Type: | Company |
Business Dynamics and Challenges
Business Activities:
The business specializes in producing Moringa capsules, Moringa powder, moringa tea, Moringa oil, Hibiscus Tea, and other processing. The business has staff compliments of 07 employees, including the owner.
Challenges/Needs:
When the business approached Sedfa for assistance, it was faced with the following challenges:
• It was not clear as to what the owner wanted to do.
• The owner was using a manual system to package products.
• There were no clear and formal markets for the products.
• The products were not tested.
• There were no proper marketing and packaging materials.
• The owner didn't know much about the business.
• Business records were not properly kept.
• The business was using basic equipment for production
Intervention Insights and Results
Intervention Details:
Alwin General Trading received assistance through different interventions since visiting Sedfa. These include the following:
• Concept Plan to outline what the business would be
focusing on.
• Product testing to determine what each product contains.
• Website development to market the business and meet
potential clients
• Packaging materials to provide an appeal for the products.
• Marketing materials to improve visibility.
• Trade exhibitions to access both national and international
markets.
• Different training to build capacity. These include basic
business skills, pre-exhibition and export orientation.
• Accounting system to help in improving recordings
• Concept Plan to outline what the business would be
focusing on.
• Product testing to determine what each product contains.
• Website development to market the business and meet
potential clients
• Packaging materials to provide an appeal for the products.
• Marketing materials to improve visibility.
• Trade exhibitions to access both national and international
markets.
• Different training to build capacity. These include basic
business skills, pre-exhibition and export orientation.
• Accounting system to help in improving recordings
Outcome Details:
The business has realized the following:
• The business has a document that directs what need to be
done.
• The business has attracted more customers and distributors.
• The products are now more presentable and attractive.
• The business has received a grant from the Sedfa Asset
Assist program amounting to R250 000 that was used to buy
operational equipment and strong room
• The production process is now automated
• Processing is now done in-house. Previously Moringa oil was
outsourced, and other processes were done manually which
had a risk of food contamination.
• The production capacity of each product has increased, e.g.
500 tea bags per 10 hours to 500 tea bags per hour
• Production lead time has improved from 7 days to 18 hours
• The client has participated in the Presidential MSME awards
and won local, and provincial awards. He, became national
runner-up in the category of Rural based Business of the
Year.
• The client has acquired a delivery vehicle worth R145 000
• The number of employees has increased from 05 to 07
(including 2 students from TVET College).
• Annual Turnover increased form R343 739 to R496 160
• The business has a document that directs what need to be
done.
• The business has attracted more customers and distributors.
• The products are now more presentable and attractive.
• The business has received a grant from the Sedfa Asset
Assist program amounting to R250 000 that was used to buy
operational equipment and strong room
• The production process is now automated
• Processing is now done in-house. Previously Moringa oil was
outsourced, and other processes were done manually which
had a risk of food contamination.
• The production capacity of each product has increased, e.g.
500 tea bags per 10 hours to 500 tea bags per hour
• Production lead time has improved from 7 days to 18 hours
• The client has participated in the Presidential MSME awards
and won local, and provincial awards. He, became national
runner-up in the category of Rural based Business of the
Year.
• The client has acquired a delivery vehicle worth R145 000
• The number of employees has increased from 05 to 07
(including 2 students from TVET College).
• Annual Turnover increased form R343 739 to R496 160
Client Feedback
Client Comments:
“Thank you Sedfa, I am very grateful for all that you have done for my business.”
