Page 3 - KZN Business Sense 10.4 - Jay Patel - Ebook

DRIVEN BY INTEGRITY

ay Patel, the current CEO of University of Technology,
Royal Tyres, began his career placing nine graduates in
Jin January 1973. After his dad various departments across the
had passed away, and in order organisation. Additionally, they
to look after the interests of his have provided 53 placements
family, Jay was thrust into the through Shukela Training Centre,
business then known as Royal enabling trainees to gain valuable
Vulcanizing. As the business was in-service training.
established in 1939, Royal Tyres
celebrates its 85th anniversary Doing Something Different
in 2024. Speaking of who has inspired
him along his journey Jay said that
Jay’s successful journey started Ratan Tata, the former chairman
off filling petrol at the service of the Tata Group stands out for
station, one of the departments him. “His philosophy was very
of the company, which included simple. Every year he gave a
a tyre fitting bay, spares, a percentage of his profits to charity.”
workshop, and a retreading
factory. He progressed to become Included in Jay’s many
a tyre salesman where he learnt accomplishments over the years
about tyres and related matters. are those in his role as chairperson
of the South African Tyre Dealers
Hiccups along the Way Association. He successfully
Royal Vulcanizing history was mooted the idea of getting rid of
not all smooth sailing as some import duties on casings that were
hiccups were experienced along used to retread tyres. While the
the way. The family business was fight with the customs and excise
run by Jay’s father Raman Patel department took a long time and
and his two brothers who between cost the Association a fair bit of
them had seven sons, including Jay Patel, CEO of Royal Tyres money, they eventually won and
Jay, who was the youngest. Around got rid of the duties.
1982, the family split ways and Jay building, which is about six and go. He was consequently successful Over the years, Royal Tyres has
joined three of his cousins who the premises where Royal Tyres a half thousand square metres. in bidding for the equipment. “I received recognition that attest to
together ran the business. is currently situated in Umgeni must tell you that without that its excellence and impact. In 2024
Road. This relocation was one Ove the years the company advice, I wouldn’t have been where
Another hiccup was caused by of the biggest challenges faced has continued to grow its reach; the company won the Standard
the Group Areas Act. As their by the business, however Jay a shop was opened in Port I am today,” he explained. Bank KZN Top Business Award in
company was positioned in Epsom commented that they resolved Shepstone in 2001, in Harding in “I think in any business, more the family category.
Durban, the property was taken the matter successfully and 2013, in Phoenix in 2023 and in so in a family business, you Three generations later, Royal
away from the family. They were made the new premises work February 2024 in Johannesburg. are always going to have your Tyres remains loyal to family and
given an alternate site 30 kilometres very well. conflicts. I try and overcome these its directors include Jasmeena Shiba
away in Chatsworth. This property Commenting on the success conflicts the best that I can and (daughter), Pranav Patel (son),
was nowhere near the size of what Grown Its Reach of Royal Tyres, Jay says that up till now it has worked. It’s not Akshay Patel (son) and Mr Nayan
the business is going well and
they had, which comprised a two- In the beginning, the business that they have no complaints. a question of only overcoming Shiba (son-in-law). The family plan
story building with a ground, first only occupied 15% of the He added that the family pride them. It’s the manner in which to continue to grow the company.
and second floor. premises and their rental themselves on giving good advice you do it,” said Jay. From 2023 to 2024 Royal Tyres has

As the company had operated was R5000 per month. Over and always conduct themselves He added that the company already doubled their profits, while
other companies are struggling.
from the Epsom Road location for time the cousins increased with integrity and honesty. is strong on upskilling staff, Royal Tyres believes that they are
30 odd years a sound customer production and expanded “And obviously,” he remarked, across all levels of the company, doing something different, which is
base had been built up. “And no their operations. When the “The tyre prices have to be right on a continuous basis. He working for them.
matter how loyal the customers opportunity arose to buy the and with our buying power we commented, “I don’t have to tell
were, I don’t think they were going building in 1988, they saw the manage to do that very well.” you what that does to you as a In conclusion, Jay has a motto
to travel 30 kilometres to put on potential for further growth. company. We have about 15 staff that he says he keeps telling his
a set of tyres. I knew then that I As the family did not have the Best Advice members that have been here children. “Remember one thing
had to find a place in and around finances required at the time, The best advice that was given for more than 25 years, which I in life, is that you’ll make the
Durban to keep that clientele,” they obtained a loan from to himself, Jay says, was by two think shows that management money. The day money makes
explained Jay. the Industrial Development friends who were qualified does look after their staff.” you; you’re going to go downhill
Corporation (IDC). Royal chartered accountants. After the from there.” 
Jay looked at many different Tyres progressed from there, split formed in the family, they Recently, Royal Tyres has
properties and finally settled for eventually occupying the entire introduced a graduate programme
advised Jay not to let the factory in collaboration with Durban W: www.royaltyres.co.za

L-R: Pranav Patel, Nayan Shiba, Jasmeena Shiba, Jay Patel and Akshay Patel. L-R: Imraan Noorbhai, Head of Personal and Private Banking KZN at Standard Bank; Pranav Patel,
Akshay Patel, Jasmeena Shiba, and Nayan Shiba – Royal Tyres’ Directors with Grant Adlam CEO,
KZN Top Business.

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