Page 5 - KZN BUSINESS SENSE Vol3 No3

BOLD VISION FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS

PRAN PARK – DUBE TRADEZONE

Pran Shree, CEO - “I live outside the box, seeing what
Shree Property others don’t and with the advent of
Holdings Dube TradePort and King Shaka
A an opportunity to link the seaport
International Airport, I recognised
and airport, by establishing
KwaZulu- facilities in Dube TradeZone,” Shree
said of a 2012 decision to become
Natal business the first private sector operator to
magnate, Pran invest in this industrial hub.
Shree, believes
in being at His bold decision led to the
the head of creation of Pran Park, heralding a
the pack, massive vote of confidence in the
a business emergent airport city.
philosophy “Today’s business demands
demanding speed, agility and connectivity
boldness and a visionary attitude. - components entrenched in
Shree is the epitome of an the growth of airport cities.
entrepreneur. Leaving school to run This is the future and I could
a humble family-owned butchery, envision the potential, making
he quickly developed a new it a business imperative to locate
business vision, expanding into close to the airport. As a logistics
meat cold storage and then growing enterprise operating nationally and
the operation to include the biggest internationally, we use sea, air and
fruit export facility in the southern land to connect clients with the vision was proved correct and we facilities designed, primarily, for company’s ability to attract blue-
hemisphere, with warehouses close world. It’s about positioning and have reaped the benefits of being manufacturing and assembly plants chip clients eager to realise SEZ
to Durban’s seaport. Pran Park affords ease of access to at the leading-edge of business and attracting a range of blue-chip advantages and requiring rapid
tenants, inclusive of Samsung South set-up solutions, so becoming
development here and first to serve
He established Shree Property the airport’s cargo facilities and to a rapidly-growing market, more Africa (manufacture of micro-chips fully operational manufacturers,
Holdings in 2007 as a property two major seaports, Durban and so because of the area’s zoning as and assembly and distribution assemblers and distributors of
development enterprise, bringing to Richards Bay.” a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), of LED televisions), Yangtze products in the business gateway to
market AAA-grade, new generation Pran Park comprises 150 000m2 affording companies access to Africa Cable (manufacture and South Africa… and the world.
warehousing. The business rapidly of prime industrial space adjacent available government incentives,” distribution of fibre-optic cables),
gained traction and today Shree to the airport, 30km north of Shree said. Tufbag (manufacture of woven Shree stressed, “We set out to
heads an expanding property central Durban. Shree said a polypropylene sacks and bulk provide ‘Greenfield’ operational
portfolio of more than 800 000m2, strategic decision was taken to The Pran Park development bags), HBM-SA Health Protection facility solutions, whilst creating a
comprising more than 70 properties construct AAA-grade industrial decision was based on Shree’s Services (manufacture of health substantial presence in the area and
and landing a string of ‘blue-chip’ warehouses here, catering for keen knowledge of both South products), Enlight Techno Solutions stimulating employment creation.
clients, including Unilever and clients requiring large storage and Africa’s property and logistics (assembly and distribution By 2016 Pran Park was complete
Samsung. manufacturing facilities boasting sectors, coupled with his foresight of educational technological and tenanted and becoming an
about potential growth. It was
instant hit, securing more than
Delivering turnkey solutions to direct cargo terminal access and his decisiveness of thought and solutions), Rossi (assembly and R1,3 billion in foreign direct
storage, logistical, commercial and rapidly growing air connectivity boldness of action which put Pran distribution of industrial gear investment and creating more than
residential requirements; Shree’s with national and international Park on Durban’s property map, products) and Pilosio (South 1 500 sustainable jobs.” 
business interests now criss-cross destinations. unlocking an exceptional and easily African headquarters and storage of
scaffolding and formwork).
South Africa, Mauritius, Africa “Being the first private sector accessible inter-modal operating
and the USA. As a man of vision, investor, we took a calculated environment. Pran Park has quickly evolved
Shree is ever on the lookout for new risk in developing property in an into another Shree Property
Construction was undertaken in
business prospects. untried environment. However, my 2013, bringing on-stream six new Holdings success, thanks to the

SHOUT ABOUT YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS:

ENTER THE 2017 KZN EXPORTER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

he partnership between Natal being the second largest 2. Complete the application form 7. Category: Manufacturers: For The closing date for entries is
the Durban Chamber of economic contributor to the South 3. Send the completed application all companies operating in the 1 September 2017 by which date
T Commerce and Industry, and African economy. A large part of form to Rokeya Valli before manufacturing sector in KZN entries must have been received at
Transnet Port Terminals continues the KwaZulu-Natal economy is as a 1 September 2017 8. Category: Agriculture and the offices of the Durban Chamber
to grow as they will again host the result of being host to the Durban Agro processing sector: For of Commerce and Industry.
2017 KZN Exporter of the year Container Terminal, the largest The categories are: all companies operating in the
awards. Now in their 17th year, the container terminal in southern 1. New Exporter: For exporters agriculture and agro processing To enter, please complete the
awards have grown progressively Africa, and Richards Bay Terminal. who have been exporting for sector in KZN attached application form. For
since their inception in 2000 with The awards are also supported less than 3 years 9. Category: Creative Industries: further enquiries, please contact
four additional categories introduced by other strategic partners such 2. Category: Small: Exports less For all companies operating in the Durban Chamber International
in 2016. The aim of these awards is to than R25 million per annum the creative industries e.g. arts, Business Manager, Rokeya Valli, on
recognize and celebrate exporters in as the Department of Economic 3. Category: Medium: Exports culture, film, etc. vallir@durbanchamber.co.za or call
this province, while we stimulate the Development, Tourism and between R25 million and 10. Category: Services Sector: For 031 335 1000.
growth of our economy. Economic Affairs (edtea), Trade R100 million per annum all companies exporting a The award winners will be
& Investment KwaZulu-Natal 4. Category: Large: Exports greater
Each year, the programme (TIKZN), Ethekwini Maritime service, excluding companies announced at the 2017 KZN
culminates with the KZN Exporter Cluster (EMC), Small Enterprise than R101 million per annum providing a service to exporters Exporter of the Year Awards Gala
of the Year Awards Banquet at Development Agency (SEDA) 5. Category: Africa: For exporters e.g. shipping agents, clearing Dinner to be held on the 19th
which the winners are announced. and the Export Credit Insurance who are exporting into Africa and forwarding agents, of October 2017 at the Durban
The awards are an ideal showcase Corporation (ECIC) to highlight 6. Category: Service Providers: insurers, financiers, etc. International Convention Centre.
for emerging and established exporters in KwaZulu-Natal. For companies providing a Entries are open to all exporters For more information, please
exporters of a wide range of The entry process is simple: service to exporters e.g. within KwaZulu-Natal and NOT contact the Durban Chamber
shipping agents, clearing and
goods and services. The ocean Event Manager, Sharmala Pillay on
economy plays a crucial role in the 1. Select the category or categories forwarding agents, insurers, restricted to Durban Chamber pillays@durbanchamber.co.za or
development of Durban. KwaZulu- you wish to enter financiers, etc. members only. call 031 335 1000. 

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