Cummins Inc, a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service diesel and natural gas engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems.
The headquarters for Cummins Southern Africa operations are in Johannesburg, South Africa, with branches in Longmeadow, Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth in the country; as well as branches in Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The company also enjoys a wide range of dealer networks in support of its widespread Southern Africa footprint.
Effective 1 June 2017, Cummins Botswana announced the appointment of Morse Mosienyane as general manager. He is responsible for the leadership, operations and strategic direction for Cummins Botswana, reporting to the managing director of Cummins Southern Africa.
Mosienyane is a professional mechanical engineer with over 32 years’ experience in the mining industry and has held executive and senior leadership roles in mining operations, engineering management and project management. He holds a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in the UK. Commenting on his new role, he says: “I am responsible for the entire Cummins portfolio in Botswana comprising the engine business, components, power generation, sales and aftermarket segments which falls under Distribution Business Unit (DBU); as well as leading business development initiatives to ensure sustainable growth in Botswana. At the same time, we shall be effectively and efficiently servicing customers. I am determined to achieve our vision of accelerated growth in a market that has many opportunities in a politically and economically stable environment that is conducive to doing business. Furthermore, I am a firm supporter of the adage ‘The customer is always right, the customer is king.’ ‘’
The Botswana market presents many opportunities for the Cummins brand; the strategy is thus to invest in raising public awareness of it. The increasing infrastructural development in the country, coupled with the opening of new and expansion of existing mines, has led to the Engine, Power Generation, Parts and Filtration businesses having grown over the past years.
The Cummins Power of One™ guarantees the company’s Power Generation customers that Cummins’ products are all designed and developed by Cummins. “Our products enjoy a very healthy reputation and are renowned for excellent quality and reliability. Customers are aware that investing in a Cummins product assures them of long-term dependability, with the support from our aftermarket service division. We also plan on increasing our field service support to further meet the demands of our customers,” he explains.
Espousing corporate responsibility as a corporate value, the company ensures that they give back on a regular basis to the communities in which they operate. For example, a strategic partnership has been formed with the Gaborone Senior Secondary School to roll out projects to improve the lives of learners at the school. Empowerment of women is also a high priority on the company’s agenda.
Zimbabwe and Mozambique markets slowly stir
Cummins is growing its business in Zimbabwe and Mozambique as market demands start showing signs of improvement. The company enjoys an established presence through its wholly owned Cummins branches in Zimbabwe and Mozambique with their headquarters in Harare and Tete respectively.
Established in Zimbabwe in 1988, Cummins has enjoyed a solid and enviable reputation for its quality products over many years, despite challenging market conditions during the past two decades. Markets have dwindled and softened but innovative and resilient personnel have persevered and today the company shows signs of growth as the market improves. Despite the country’s lack of foreign direct investment, the company will invest in tooling to support growing business needs in the power generation, mining, filtration and aftermarket businesses.
“We are here to support our customers, and will invest according to our business needs to meet our customers’ requirements. Without our customers, we don’t have a business,” says recently appointed director of operations, Cummins Southern African Regional Office, Racheal Njoroge. Responsible for the leadership, operations and strategic direction for Cummins Zimbabwe and Mozambique and reporting to
Thierry Pimi, managing director for Cummins Southern Africa, Njoroge has held a number of senior management positions within the global Cummins organisation.
Joining the company at its head office in Columbus, Indiana, in the USA as a Business Analyst Intern in the IT division in 2006, she saved the company a whopping US$1-million in her first year! Her success quickly led to several roles in the Global IT Strategy division, fast-tracking and securing her career within the Group and ultimately bringing her back to the continent of her birth.
Whilst business in Zimbabwe is slowly starting to turn, the Cummins brand is relatively new in Mozambique, having been introduced to the market in 2012. With a strong presence in the mining segment, strategic growth is geared towards enhancing the filtration, power generation and automotive businesses in the country.
Business opportunities abound in these two adjoining countries despite forex challenges, political instability and risks of currency devaluations. Zimbabwe’s need for transport, real estate and mining infrastructural development poses many opportunities for the global power leader. In the face of investor concern driven by political unrest in Mozambique, forex volatility is stabilising in the country, with resultant business steadfastness and determination in the market. Opportunities prevail in the agricultural, oil and gas industries of Mozambique and business is set to increase greatly next year.
As head of the Cummins wholly owned operations, Njoroge is cautiously optimistic about the markets and has plans to accelerate business growth for 2018. Currently, operations are focused on the mining industries with the intention of expanding complementary businesses.
Cummins also plans on investing in human capital in both Zimbabwe and Mozambique by hiring additional employees to support its growing business needs, combining seasoned industry leaders and solid regional business culture. “We plan on building a diverse customer base in both the mining and power generation segments,” Njoroge elaborates. The aftermarket segment is also earmarked for growth and expansion in support of the Cummins products in the mining, power generation and automotive industries in both countries. “My vision for these countries is to grow the businesses by double digits next year as there are many opportunities in these markets, and, of course, to exceed our customers’ expectations in every way,” she adds.
A Kenyan by birth, Njoroge is a business professional with over ten years’ experience in IT,strategy and operations. She holds an MBA from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana and a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems and Business Administration with a minor in Computer Science from Winona State University of Minnesota in the United States. Within her ambit, she is also responsible for various departments including Supply Chain, Technical Services, Dealer Network in Mauritius, Malawi, Madagascar, Namibia, Swaziland and Lesotho, Aftermarket Service & Support. She is living her dream: “I always wanted two things whilst residing in the US: to return to Africa and run a business; I am now doing both!” she concludes.
Cummins grows its business in Zambia
Cummins is growing its business offering in Zambia as demand for back-up power increases. With its Southern African head office in Johannesburg, South Africa; the company enjoys a strong established presence in Zambia where its headquarters is in Kitwe and its operations office in Solwezi.
Recently appointed general manager of Cummins Zambia, Meshach Kwegyir-Aggrey is responsible for the leadership, operations and strategic direction for Cummins’ Zambia, reporting to Thierry Pimi, managing director for Cummins Southern Africa.
Kwegyir-Aggrey has held a number of senior management positions at Cummins Ghana where he enjoyed regular interaction with mining customers through his various roles within sales, operations and aftermarket. He grew the market by over 50% to ultimately win the ‘Best Africa Power Generation Distributo’r award in 2011, before doubling sales again in a record-breaking year in 2013.
As head of the Zambian operation, Kwegyir-Aggrey is optimistic about the marketplace and has plans in place to accelerate business growth. Currently, operations are focused on the mining industry with the intention of expanding the complementary businesses. “Our clients have come to value the quality of the Cummins products across our various business lines; including mining, filtration, power generation and automotive. We have ambitious growth targets set for Zambia as there are many opportunities in the market besides the established mining industry.”
The reliability of the Cummins automotive products will assist with logistical challenges in a large country where long distances between towns abound. The company’s products comprise all genuine Cummins parts; the Power of One places less stress on the product and thereby enhances its life, ultimately lowering the high cost of inventory in a country where retro spare fits are often utilised.
The Zambian economy and political environment are stable; attracting healthy foreign direct investment to the country. However, Forex instability in the country remains a challenge, whilst commodity prices fluctuate accordingly. The power generation market is buoyant in the country. Zambia welcomes the need for additional power solutions in support of the national grid.
“We have a wide range of power solutions and supportive equipment to suit our clients’ needs. It is strategically sound to invest in good, reliable and quality-driven products that add value and will stand the test of time. You don’t want to require backup power once the power outage has occurred, so allow us to visit your premises to assess your needs to ensure a continuous source of power,” Kwegyir-Aggrey requests.
Cummins Zambia also plans on investing in the country’s people by developing and training local talent by hiring additional employees to support its growing business needs, combining seasoned industry leaders and solid regional business culture. “My vision for Zambia is for us to exceed our customers’ expectations through world class professionalism, from a dedicated and highly motivated team. We are in the Zambian market; and here to make a difference and add value to our customers’ businesses!” enthuses Kwegyir-Aggrey, who is a professional mechanical engineer with over 17 years’ experience in the power generation, manufacturing, mining and earth moving equipment industries. He also holds an Executive Masters in Business Administration from Ghana Institute of Management & Public Administration and has several leadership qualifications from institutions in Europe and South Africa.
