Developing business in Africa is a long and complex challenge. It is not easy to select the perfect partner – it requires a mix of experience of distributor management, feet on the street, back-office management & financial capabilities. This is why we chose KIMCO as our principal partner. Our story with KIMCO started many years ago in Anglophone Africa & extended to Francophone Africa.
KIMCO is a family business that has a great culture that fits perfectly with developing markets. Ethics/Responsibility/Transparency. KIMCO helped to define the strategic vision (Markets/Products/Route to Market/Risk Management). They are good to simplify the complexity.
Regional Director Africa and Developing Markets
KIMCO handle our exports to a number of countries around the world, but mainly Africa and the Middle East.
They manage the Distributors and the in-market sales on our behalf. I have to say, we have a very good relationship with KIMCO and the team, who have a high level of responsiveness. They establish a plan, budget and a rolling forecast, which is greatly appreciated. Working with KIMCO in the designated countries is relaxing and efficient.
Business Unit Director
KIMCO managed the Kellogg’s business across the majority of markets, Anglo and Francophone, for many years. KIMCO have the ability to maximise business potential in very difficult and challenging marketplaces.
The team have a huge amount of experience in managing Africa and have nurtured the Kellogg’s brand from infancy stage to the dominant player within the category it is today, affording Kellogg’s the space to now be able to support a fully functioning, pan African team.
I would strongly recommend KIMCO to any brand owner seeking success.
International Business Unit Leader
Bell’s Healthcare has worked with KIMCO for several years now. Their whole team are always very professional, helpful and proactive, which is a real benefit for me as the Export Sales Manager.
They manage all the aspects, start to finish, from business planning, forecasts and securing orders. Alongside this, securing payments, which can be a real challenge in this region, including all of the logistical support. This is a real benefit to me. KIMCO have been able to support us in entering new markets too. We have increased the number of markets KIMCO manage for us.
Export Sales Manager
So what has been the recipe for this successful partnership or collaboration? I would say first if all, and this I mean it, it counts a lot in business is the human relations part. The first moment we were aligned in our way of doing business with transparency, with ethics, with the competence in the commercial and marketing field. And I can say without hesitation and I’m sure that they feel the same, we have.
Second element has been the portfolio is product. They are always on the lookout for good brands. So for me, when KIMCO approaches me for a new brand, I know that the groundwork has been done. It’s something of quality.
The third important element in a distributor and supplier relationship is always the marketing support. And it has been there to support us row the brands in Mauritius. Be in terms of financial support, be it in terms of materials, be it in terms of social media activation.
General Manager
Long-Term Project Examples.
McBride
Project Aim: To outsource the export department function to cover multiple international markets across continents.
Mars Inc
Project Aim: Centralisation of Distribution Management, Billing, Logistics & Sales for West Africa.
Kelloggs
Project Aim: To outsource the export department function to focus on expansion in Sub-Sahara Africa.
AstraZeneca
Project Aim: To create appropriate systems, terms, export logistics and pack markings.
Bell’s
Project Aim: Provide Supply Chain & Export Operational Support with nominated Bell’s approval re-sellers.