Creating Growth in South Africa with Prominent Paints' BuildersBox
Prominent Paints set out on a collaborative venture with its BEE partner, Africa’s Got-Game, and PPC Cement to create an innovative new service in South Africa.
BuildersBox is a two-story, specialist paint store which has been built from a repurposed steel shipping container. In Jabulani, Soweto, South Africa the BuildersBox is more than just a paint centre, the hub also provides business services to local entrepreneurs.
The project is the first of its kind in South Africa and will also contribute towards enterprise development of informal traders within the paint and construction industry, while offering training and education to members of the community.
Developed to address the challenges of inequality, unskilled youth and SME development within South Africa, the programme’s focus is directed at township revitalisation. Parallel to this, it’s growing the building and construction industry by delivering products and services to the doorsteps of communities.
Prominent Paints Brand Marketing Manager, Lani Carstens said:
With BuildersBox, consumers will have a one-stop paint shop on their doorstep for any building or construction related solutions.
The concept is bringing something new and fresh to the retail experience in areas that traditionally have been lacking when it comes to DIY paint specialist centres.
Lani Carstens, Brand Marketing Manager, Prominent Paints
The BuildersBox solution will also provide training for the local youth and members of the construction industry. The free, practical training will be presented by industry experts appointed by Prominent Paints and PPC.
Carstens says that the training is an important part of the project’s success and goes way beyond paint, product and DIY skills:
It will extend to include business management skills critical to the success of startups. It’s also expected that through education and a presence in the area, consumers will be exposed to cost effective ways in which to add colour to their communities.
It’s not just an opportunity to tap into the immense buying power of this market, it also presents an ideal and exclusive opportunity for Prominent Paints to invest in and develop the communities in which we introduce the BuildersBox concept.
The new store manager, Sagaren Packery believes BuildersBox is uniquely poised for success:
With everything available under one roof, our customers can leave the store with all the essential materials they need to prepare and create their perfect look.
BuildersBox will retain the family feel of the Prominent Paints Paint Centres – where their special brand of friendly and professional advice empowers customers to tackle even the most complicated DIY projects. We are truly excited offer this service to the Soweto community and anticipate the offering to be received positively.
Sagaren Packery, Store Manager, Prominent Paints
To the surprise of the Prominent Paints team, they received an unexpected visit of the Minister of Small Business Development, Ms. Lindiwe Zulu. The ministry’s aim is to promote the development of small businesses and cooperatives that contribute to inclusive growth and job creation. They provide grants and incentives to clients who qualify as beneficiaries, many of whom are from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.