Technical solutions provider BMG, which is part of Invicta Holdings, has officially launched its BMG World site, in Johannesburg, which is the culmination of a consolidation and supply chain re-engineering strategy that began nearly ten years ago.
“The company’s R400-million investment to upgrade its existing Droste Park facilities into a leading-edge distribution centre, centralises functional and support operations onto one site. Through this rationalisation initiative, BMG strives to achieve cost optimisation and improve regionalised branch office systems, thereby enhancing customer service capability,” BMG MD Gavin Pelser noted at the launch.
New facilities comprise more than 308 000 m³ of warehousing and more than 300 000 line items of product, which can range from O-ring seals weighing 2 g, to gearboxesweighing up to 50 t.
Of the significant investments made into the facility over the past four years, the majority of the investment was applied to enhancements in the product warehouse and distribution centre, where BMG incorporated automated warehouse management systems, as well as JDA merchandise performance analysis software solutions.
The company has also invested in the latest materials handlingequipment, including high bay reach trucks, to optimise volumetric efficiency. Special machinery at the new facility includes eight dock levellers that will handle about 120 40-ft containers a month.
The upgraded facility also hosts the BMG Academy of Excellence’s practical and theoretical training, which applies Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority accreditation for skills development and training for company employees and customers.
While customers now have greater accessibility to BMG’s products, through more than 148 BMG branches and a wide distribution network in South Africa and in Swaziland, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia and Tanzania, Pelser pointed out that further expansions are planned.
He explained that BMG aims to have more than 30% of its R4-billion turnover coming from business in Africa.
“BMG will further open a branch in Ghana, in November, and will also continue its growth strategy into East, West and Central Africa,” Pelser said.
