Boltgas’ maiden showcase

be participating at the country’s premier showcase, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, for the first time since it was founded more than five years ago.
Established south of the Limpopo River about six years ago, Boltgas entered the local market in March this year and has already lined up exciting strategies and plans to be rolled out in the short to long-term.
Mr Walter Mudzvova, the company’s general manager, said Boltgas has secured distributorships for a number of renowned and leading brands in the mining, agriculture, construction, power and process industries. Interestingly, it is these industries – along with tourism – that carry the nation’s hope for a revival.
At its ZITF stand, Boltgas would be displaying some of these international brands.
These include Donaldson Filtration Systems and SPX Flow Technology products, namely APV homogenisers; heat exchangers, Plenty Mirrlees pumps, for the sugar, fuel and power industries; light to heavy industry lightning agitators and Bran+ Luebbe metering and product injection pumps among others.
The fair opens today and closes on Saturday. It’s the 52nd edition to be staged by the ZITF Company – proprietors of the ZITF brand.
The ZITF Company organises and manages international exhibitions and events to promote trade and investment.
This year’s fair is being held under the theme “Optimising Business Synergies . . . Now and Beyond.”
Africa Export and Import Bank president Jean Louis Ekra is scheduled to open the fair.
Since formation, Boltgas has been dedicating all its efforts on building a strong foundation before setting its footprints in Zimbabwe.
“We have put together a sumptuous catalogue in terms of our product portfolio – backed by a reliable after-sales support services team. A strong team of highly skilled professionals with years of experience of delivering industry leading solutions under their belts is also on hand to deliver these products and services to the market at the least possible time,” said Mr Sibanda.
“Following our entry into the Zimbabwean market in March this year, we believe the time is now ripe for us to advertise our company in a very big way; showcase our products and reach out to as many of our clients as possible,” he added.
Mr Sibanda, the managing director, described Zimbabwe as blessed with a lot of potential citing its highly educated populace, rich soils, good climatic conditions, a wide range of minerals such as platinum group metals, gold, chrome and diamonds as well as highly competitive tourism products which are the envy of many economies.
“We see all these advantages underpinning the country’s massive growth potential and stability. But to unlock this potential, we must, as Zimbabweans, be ready to put our shoulders behind the wheel without minding the squeeze. If we, as Zimbabweans, cannot decide where we want our country’s economy to go no one else will,” said Mr Sibanda.
“On our part, Boltgas International P/L has opened shop in Zimbabwe and shall, for the first time, be participating at ZITF. This does not only represent our demonstration of confidence in this economy, but we are also creating a platform to encourage our fellow Zimbabweans to partake in rebuilding our economy. The future lies in our hands.”
Plans are also underway at Boltgas to expand its branch network into all the strategic parts of the country as the company moves to play its part in generating revenue for the fiscus, create jobs and getting its products and services closer to their users.
Mr Sibanda has already hinted at the company’s participation at ZITF in 2012.
He said: “While we are still to assess the effectiveness of our presence at ZITF this year, we have no doubt at all in our minds that our association with the Trade Fair has now been cast in stone. To be precise, Yes, we will be back at ZITF next year with more good news.”
In this question and answer with Business Herald, Mr Walter Mudzvova (WM), the company’s general manager, talks about Boltgas’ past, present and future.
QUESTION: Why have you decided on taking part at ZITF this year?
WM: Since our formation in South Africa six years ago, we have been dedicating all our efforts towards building a strong foundation for our business. We have put together a sumptuous catalogue in terms of our product portfolio backed by a reliable after sales service.
A strong team of highly skilled professionals with years of experience under their belts is also on hand to deliver these products and services to the market at the least possible time.
Following our entry into the Zimbabwean market in March this year, we believe the time is now ripe for us to advertise our company in a very big way; showcase our products and reach out to as many of our clients as possible.
QUESTION: A lot of companies that used to take part at ZITF when Zimbabwe’s economy was still firing from all cylinders in the 1990s withdrew their participation citing the economic challenges experienced in the past decade or so. By participating at ZITF what are you seeing in Zimbabwe’s economy?
WM: Zimbabwe is bellied with a lot of potential. For status, the country has an educated populace, rich soils, good climatic conditions, a wide range of minerals such as platinum group metals, gold, chrome and diamonds – to name but a few – as well as highly competitive tourism products which are the envy of many economies.
At Boltgas International P/L, we see all these advantages underpinning the country’s massive growth potential and stability. But to unlock this potential, we must, as Zimbabweans, be ready to put our shoulders behind the wheel without minding the squeeze.
If we, as Zimbabweans, cannot decide where we want our country’s economy to go no one else will. On our part, Boltgas International P/L has opened shop in Zimbabwe and shall, for the first time, be participating at ZITF.
This does not only represent our demonstration of confidence in this economy, but we are also creating a platform to encourage our fellow Zimbabweans to partake in rebuilding our economy. The future lies in our hands.
QUESTION: As Boltgas International P/L, what are your short-term to long-term plans for Zimbabwe?
WM: I must emphasise that we are in Zimbabwe for the long haul. Now that we have entered the domestic market, we hope to create a strong brand in the short term that would eventually become a household name in Zimbabwe.
As part of our medium- to long-term plans, we are also working on expanding our reach by setting up branches in all the strategic parts of the country as we move to play our part in generating revenue for the fiscus, create jobs and making available top of the range products to support Zimbabwe’s industries.
QUESTION: Can you give a brief background of your company?
WM: Boltgas International P/L was formed in South Africa in 2005. Around March this year, we opened shop in Harare to give back to Zimbabwe the value we have gained internationally and to support the various industries that shall be accessing our products.
At the moment, we employ a total of 14 people in Zimbabwe and we are looking at growing this staff base as we roll out our expansion plans. We have also acquired distributorships for a number of top brands for Zimbabwe such as Donaldson Filtration Systems and SPX Flow Technology.
These are very strong brands in the mining, construction, power and process industries. We also bring to our customers full service and product support from the original equipment manufacturers.
QUESTION: What sort of products will you be showcasing at ZITF?
WB: We shall have a range of products of very high repute at our stand. For example, our team shall be showcasing Donaldson Filtration Systems and SPX Flow Technology products namely APV homogenisers; heat exchangers, Plenty Mirrlees Pumps; for the sugar, fuel and power industries; light to heavy industry lightning agitators and Bran+ Luebbe metering and product injection pumps among others.
QUESTION: What is your target market?
WM: Our products are mainly meant for the mining, agricultural, construction, power and process industries.
QUESTION: Why should people buy your products as opposed to those being offered by competition? Are they any specific advantages customers can derive from using your products?
WM: Most of the companies operating in Zimbabwe are at different stages of turning around the corner following the economic recession of the last decade. But for these companies to turn around well, they obviously require products and services that are reliable, dependable, durable and cost effective. This is exactly what we are offering our customers in the mining, agriculture, construction, power and process industries. We are here to serve.
QUESTION: Are you likely to participate at ZITF next year?
WM: While we are still to assess the effectiveness of our presence at ZITF this year, we have no doubt at all in our minds that our association with the Trade Fair has now been cast in stone. To be precise, Yes, we will be back at ZITF next year with more good news.
QUESTION: What is your message to people who shall be converging at the ZITF grounds for the exhibition?
WM: My message to all those who shall be visiting the ZITF, particularly my fellow industrialists, is that let us all come together as Zimbabweans to rebuild our economy regardless of race, tribe, religion, political affiliation, creed, gender or the colour of our skin. In getting Zimbabwe to work again, let us join hands with our partners beyond our borders.
For those in mining, agriculture, construction, power and process industries, Boltgas International P/L is willing to partner you as you revive your companies, expand or invest in new projects.
I hereby extend a warm invitation to all those who will be in Bulawayo for the ZITF this week to pass through our stand and see what we have in store for you. It’s an opportunity not to be missed. Come and get the products and services you have been longing for.
l For more information on Boltgas International P/L, please contact Jessica on 077 2 570 260 or visit us at Number 58A Steven Drive, Msasa, Harare.