Page 51 - KZN Top Business Portfolio - EBOOK 2019

Co-founder and joint-CEO of Lovemore Brothers were handed down to young managers. Rob remarks,
“The young management team is competent and
OB LOVEMORE, the co-founder and joint- reliable, they will carry the business further and
CEO of Lovemore Brothers, was briefly ensure its sustainability.”
involved in the rigging industry whilst
Rob believes part of the reason they keep customers
Rworking as a young mechanical engineer. is that he and Bruce are determined and detailed
He saw an opportunity to start a rigging and machine individuals. “It was easy, almost instinctive, to deliver
moving business in the Durban market, and he and outstanding service, and that led to the development
his brother Bruce – who he asked to join him to take of a trusted reputation.” This trust enabled them to
the initiative forward – swiftly formed a partnership.
quickly pass their competitors. “The service did
Rigging, a practical, detailed process, would suit come at a price for the customer, but also fair value.”
their personality traits and training. The business The nature of the business keeps Rob motivated.
offered independence, and an opportunity to make He believes he and Bruce are entrepreneurs and
money. They created an infrastructure and put the contractors by nature, it is in their DNA. They have
elements of business together before starting to trade an innate desire to deliver an end product.
in 1989.
“We like the management elements, well skilled
Rob wanted “well coloured and well labeled” people that are coordinated, and using complex
branding for the business. “Right from the start we equipment. Rigging is an unusual business, a niche
were Citigolf blue and we stuck our Lovemore name part of the mechanical engineering world. People
to it, I saw the potential for connecting this name don’t imagine the process of establishing a factory, the
to a brand,” he says. They liked the old fashioned heavy bulky pieces of equipment or machinery for
“Brothers” part of the name. They initially added a which one must find a way to get it into the factory,”
“Parks Board Rhino” to the name, but in an inspired Rob says. “Every lift is slightly different, we love the
moment, with luck, we changed it to a crane. This challenge and are stimulated by it,” he enthuses.
was not because of the connection to our mechanical
cranes, but to have a name close to nature. Then we When asked what is most important in his line
made the connection, and our friends and family of work, Rob replies that is integrity and your
thought it was fantastic.” character. He believes it is important to create a good
environment to work in, create a sense of family,
In the early years, the partners were responsible make employees proud of where they are, and give
for different functions, Rob focusing on finances, them a sense of belonging in a fair place.
strategy and marketing, and Bruce on operations and
staff matters. Rob reflects, “We are a great pairing, Rob’s advice to someone new to business is that
we think differently and complement each other. We one’s focus and commitment to the process must be
are a great team.” unrelenting. Attention to detail is essential.
As the business grew organically and expanded It is important for Rob to take holidays to relieve
into new geographical areas, both partners started high workloads and stress conditions. For him there
assuming responsibility for all functions in different is always a great trip ahead to look forward to. His
regions. The management style was initially fairly adventurous character is evident as he says. “I love
autocratic, also due to the management structures. In the winding road, not the straight road. A horizon I
recent years more supporting and senior management am not sure of. I like not knowing what is at the other
structures were introduced. More responsibilities side of the hill.”

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