Page 79 - KZN Top Business Leaders

MOHAMMED JOOSAB

ohammed Rishaad Joosab, the 30-year-old That sense of purpose drives his relentless work ethic adopting the green and circular economy, using
founder and director of Plastimed Liquid and fuels his ambitions for growth. Mohammed 30–40% recycled plastics, and implementing quality
Packaging, has built one of KwaZulu-Natal’s believes that success comes in increments, with every control systems to differentiate ourselves.”
Mpromising young manufacturing bus- milestone, no matter how small, worth celebrating. Although this approach raises production costs, he
inesses from the ground up. His company specialises “There are too many achievements to choose from,” believes it positions the business for long-term success.
in producing plastic bottles, jars, buckets, closures he says. “Buying my first machine, then the second, “Our price is slightly higher, but we have something to
and general-purpose containers for diverse industries, then the third. Getting my first big customer. Making back it – quality, sustainability, and compliance with
including automotive, food and beverage, pharma- my first R10,000. Every step is an accomplishment.” legislation. Customers have peace of mind using our
ceuticals, cosmetics and chemicals.
Transitioning from producing sauces in his family products because they know we’re accountable.”
Mohammed’s entrepreneurial story began while kitchen to manufacturing high-quality plastic Looking ahead, Mohammed envisions significant
completing his BCom in Business Management and products was itself a significant achievement. Today, growth for Plastimed in the next five years. He says,
Marketing in 2016. Although he appreciated the the company continues to grow, despite challenges “We intend on opening a second manufacturing
academic grounding, he found himself drawn to the along the way. facility and warehouse outside of KwaZulu-Natal as
practical side of business.
RESILIENCE THROUGH CHALLENGES well as then moving out of the borders of South
“I was doing a lot of theory at university, but it was Africa to enter a wider market.”
boring for me just reading about marketing and Like many South African businesses, Plastimed faced its The company is also pursuing ISO and food-safety
flyers,” he admits. “I wanted to test what the books toughest tests during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed certifications to secure larger contracts with national
were saying and see if it really worked.” by the 2021 KwaZulu-Natal unrest and devastating
floods. “During Covid, 70% of our customers stopped brands such as Tiger Brands. He explains, “We’ve
Mohammed experimented with various small buying overnight,” recalls Mohammed. “Then came the mastered the Durban market. Now we want to
businesses, from buying and selling T-shirts and golf looting and flooding – we were hit by all three. We had spread our wings and take on bigger contracts and
shirts to producing chilli sauces in his home kitchen. to adapt quickly, find new customers and change our new regions.”
The turning point came unexpectedly. business model to survive.”
YOUNG, DRIVEN AND RECOGNISED
“A customer came to buy my sauces and asked if he Even now, space is the company’s biggest operational
could also take my empty bottles,” he recalls. “In two challenge. “Our current premises are completely full. Despite his age, Mohammed has already been
weeks, the same thing happened four or five times. We need more room to grow – but that’s a good recognised as a leading young entrepreneur,
I realised I was making more money selling bottles problem to have.” This resilience and ability to adapt having received accolades in initiatives such as the
than the sauces. That’s how the business started – a have become core to Plastimed’s success story. KwaZulu-Natal Youth in Business Awards and the
blessing in disguise.” Young Business Achiever Awards.
Mohammed recognises that his company’s progress
Applying both theoretical knowledge and practical is a collective effort, and he is committed to creating His philosophy for life and business is simple yet
insight, he channelled his efforts into plastics an environment where his team is motivated and powerful: “Good, better, best. Never let it rest
manufacturing. What began as a home-based supported. “We hold weekly meetings to discuss until good is better and better is best.”Ultimately,
experiment quickly evolved into a professional challenges and how to overcome them,” he explains. Mohammed’s ambition is to create a business that
enterprise, now operating out of a 1,500-square-metre “It’s about improving as individuals and as a company. not only thrives commercially but also makes a
facility in Durban. Every problem is solved together.” positive impact. “We want to make a dent in the world,
even if it’s a small one,” he says. “For us, that means
FAMILY AT THE HEART OF HIS PURPOSE Personally, his motivation is clear. “At the end of the manufacturing in a sustainable, responsible way.”
day, it’s for my parents. That’s what keeps me going.”
For Mohammed, business is about more than profit – From a university graduate experimenting with chilli
it is deeply personal. Operating in the plastics industry comes with unique sauces to the director of a growing manu-facturing
challenges, particularly environmental concerns. company, Mohammed’s story is one of determination,
“My dad had a business about 15 years ago that Mohammed is determined that Plastimed plays a innovation and purpose. With clear goals, a commitment
closed down due to politics,” he explains. “My ‘why’ is positive role in the circular economy. “Plastics get to quality, and an unwavering family-driven motivation,
to show him that we can build something bigger and a bad reputation,” he says. “We want to show that Plastimed Liquid Packaging is poised for an exciting
better together. It’s really to give back to my parents.” manufacturing can be done sustainably. We’re future in South Africa’s manufacturing landscape.
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