Page 205 - KZN Top Business Leaders

HENK VAN DER MERWE

enk van der Merwe is one of the partners are asking me, there must be something going on lead times all play a role. It can be frustrating for
in six Mandarin Parts Distributors (MPD) here,” he recalls. both customers and us, but we do our best.”
franchises, which form part of a larger
Hgroup of 30 franchises nationwide. MPD is BUILDING THE BUSINESS FROM THE GROUND UP PHILOSOPHY AND MOTIVATION
a division of the CMH Group.
Henk started his first parts shop in a tiny store on Henk describes himself as a lifelong entrepreneur.
Henk studied law and political science at Umgeni Road in Durban. In the early days, he ran “As a kid, I’d climb over the fence, steal papayas
Potchefstroom University. “I completed up to my the business single-handedly. “People would come from neighbours, and then sell the papayas back
third year,” he recalls, “but then I started a waiters’ in and order a part, and I’d close the shop, fetch it to the same people,” he jokes. His drive to solve
union and saw what law was like outside of the from a supplier, and come back. It was challenging; problems and create opportunities is at the heart
books and the classroom. I didn’t like it much, so I I nearly went under. I was on my last R200, living of his business success.
left and began working for House of Coffees.” in Umkomaas, when I prayed for help. That same
day, a client accepted a R15,000 quote and paid a He credits much of his outlook to advice he received
That role led to various hospitality roles, including at a young age. “A family friend, Alan Nelson, once
deposit. God really came through for me.”
at Sun International in Sun City, and then with told me: ‘Henk, money lies all over the streets. You
Celebrity Cruise Lines as a beverage manager. He initially focused only on Tata parts. As just need to figure out how to pick it up.’ Those
customer demand for Chinese vehicle parts grew, words have always stayed with me.”
Returning to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA he found Mandarin Parts and started expanding
World Cup, he assisted with food and beverage He is also motivated by Lindy his beautiful wife,
his stock. “In the beginning, I didn’t have a clue.
management at Soccer City. After the tournament, family and his team. “I’ve got three boys, and I
I’d Google things like10-thou big end bearing
he and his partners purchased trailers from an just to know what my customers were talking want to set a good example. I also love keeping the
international vendor who had been selling “chip workplace fun. We have inter-branch competitions,
about,” he laughs.
sticks”; deep-fried, spiced potatoes on a stick at monthly awards, and even a little 3D-printed emoji
the event. To run this venture, he bought a Tata His persistence paid off, and he eventually bought ‘poo’ that gets passed around if a shop loses a
bakkie for towing trailers, collecting produce, and his first Mandarin Parts Distributors franchise challenge. It keeps the team motivated.”
transporting supplies. in Pinetown. Today, he and his partners own
six MPD branches, including sites in Pinetown, GROWTH, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE PLANS
“That bakkie is actually how I got into the parts
Pietermaritzburg, Mount Edgecombe, Umgeni,
industry,” he says. “I had an issue with the idler arm. Cape Town, and Paarl. The future of MPD looks promising, thanks to the
I went to a Tata dealership and asked for the parts, rapid growth of Chinese and Indian vehicle brands
and they said they didn’t have stock, they had to MPD imports replacement parts for a selection of in South Africa. “We see more and more of these
order it in. I was totally surprised. I thought every Chinese and Indian vehicles, as well as newer Suzuki vehicles on the roads, and our business really takes
part would be in the warehouse, ready to go.” models, many of which are manufactured in India. off when they hit the second and third hand owner
“Our goal is to provide an affordable parts solution markets,” Henk explains.
In addition, said Henk, “They wanted to charge me for people whose vehicles need repairs but can’t
two arms and a leg for an idler arm. I eventually He plans to expand the franchise network further.
afford the agents’ prices or in some cases, where the
found an importer, bought the part myself, and agents no longer stock the parts,” says Henk. “I’d like to open at least two more branches, one
had it fixed for about 10% of the agent’s price.” in Richards Bay and another in the Western Cape.
MPD is a Premium Member of the Right to Repair If we can sort out the port delays and municipal
That experience sparked his curiosity about the movement which means they can supply parts for issues in Durban, it will make a big difference.”
availability of TATA parts and opened his eyes to
vehicles still under warranty, your right to choose.
a gap in the market. When people, mechanics, Reflecting on his journey, Henk says, “I think back
and tyre shops began asking where he sourced Despite the company’s success, global supply chain to when I was struggling and on my last R200, and I
his parts for his TATA, he realised there was an issues remain a challenge. “Even with us, there are look at where we are now. That makes me proud and
opportunity. “A light bulb went on. If these guys delays; ships, container costs, and manufacturing grateful. I got here with help, hard work, and faith.”
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