Marketingmatters
with Neta Nwosu
•Celebrates partners •To launch three Ready-mix plants
Lafarge Africa Plc., Sub-Saharan Africa building materials company, has rewarded its trade partners nationwide in appreciation of their effective distribution of its brands across the country and thereby contributing to the overall growth of its business in 2015.
The grand ceremony, which held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, had in attendance over 100 customers, staff and distinguished guests. The company also used the occasion to reward some of its employees, who had excelled in their responsibilities, particularly in sales.
Mr. Sam Ndionyenma, Sales Director, Lafarge Africa Plc., in his welcome address thanked the distributors for delivering the quality Lafarge Africa demands of its partners.
Mr. Ndionyenma explained that “Building materials are as good as the quality of their delivery channels, they must arrive at the users’ sites in the quality they left our plants and we are appreciative of the fact that you have always played you part effectively in the value chain.”
Commending the dedication of the customers further, he said “You have given us the confidence to expand into new technical segments. We are starting three Ready-mix plants this year in addition to the 8 we have built since 2005”.
Mr. Ndionyenma, in conclusion assured the company’s partners that the Key Distribution Scheme, a strong route to market distribution system which has been vital in expanding the company’s distribution footprint would be rolled out nationwide.
The CEO Cement, Lafarge Africa Plc., Mrs. Adepeju Adebajo, in her speech stated that the importance of this year’s event is underscored by the fact that although the Customer Awards started in 2005, this is the first pan-Nigeria Customer Awards ceremony, covering Lafarge Africa Plc’s operations in the North (AshakaCem), the South (Unicem) and South West (WAPCO).
“This is the first time we are able to bring all our key customers across the country together to celebrate your contribution to the growth and success of your company – Lafarge Africa Plc” she stressed.
“Actualising Lafarge Africa’s vision has led us to an increased focus on customer transformation through value adding experiences and partnership. We are dedicated to being the first choice innovative solutions provider by developing value-added products and solutions to fulfil the growing needs for housing and infrastructure and, building better cities. We are also ensuring a deep understanding of how our products are used and the value they create and engaging with our customers to develop products and solutions tailored to their needs,” she added.
Mrs. Adebajo thanked the distributors for helping to sustain the availability of Lafarge Africa Plc products all over Nigeria, while maintaining the company’s culture of safety.
According to her, “Safety is our number one priority. We are very happy that you have enthusiastically bought into this culture as is evident in how you have taken on our requirement to keep your trucks in good condition and the consistency with which your drivers are trained on safe driving”
In his key note address, the Chairman, Board of Directors, Lafarge Africa Plc., Mr. Mobolaji Balogun, reiterated that the reason behind the annual Customer Awards event was to express the company’s gratitude to the distributors for their support for the growth of Lafarge Africa business in Nigeria.
He stated that Lafarge Africa PLC had a strong heritage of over 50 years in Nigeria with the distributors’ consistent contributions to meeting expectations of outstanding quality and safety that generations of Nigerian professionals and end users have of her products and services.
“We deem it important to continually recognise and energise the existing partnership between us as an organisation and you as our customers by acknowledging and valuing your distinctive impact on the company’s performance. It is imperative to note that your continued dedication and partnership are paramount for the past, present and future successes of our company,” he stated.
At the end of the gala event, several dealers went home with numerous prizes including cars, which were given out based on performance. The top performance award of 2016 Kia Sportage was presented to Mabos Ayok Inv. Co. Ltd; Day-Kings Solutions Ent.; Raheed Ishola Ventures ltd; Batoframog E Ent and Kpaksbuddy Nig. Ltd.
While Rosent Invest Ltd and Ubotex Nig. Ltd each received 2016 Honda CRV as Special Recognition Award for WAPCO Operations and UNICEM Operations respectively; Maiyaki General Merchant Ltd was presented with 2016 Kia Sportage as Special Recognition Award for Ashaka Operations.
In the same vein, Temitope Oil Nigeria Ltd, Ebony D Great Ent; Jolly Friends; Ibukun Oluwa Ent., U Meakasons, John-Jeff Nig. Ltd, Rose Sej Business Ent Ltd, and Adamu Mohammed Aba received the Regional Champions Award of an all-expense paid trip to Cape Town, South Africa for their efforts.
Other distributors, corporate partners and outstanding sales staff of the company, also won various electronic gadgets such as LED TVs, Generators, Tablets and Cash Awards as well as corporate products.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, the star winner, Mr. Enobong Ukpanah, MD Kpaksbuddy Nig. Ltd., who won a Kia Sportage expressed his gratitude to God and the management of Lafarge Africa for recognizing the contributions of the dealers to their business, noting that the quality of their brands of cement made it possible for him and the other winners to achieve the impressive sales target for the year. He assured that the trade partners would continue to support the company to help it achieve it business goal in the country.
Lafarge Africa Plc. is a subsidiary of LafargeHolcim, the new world leader in the building materials industry.
Listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange with a presence in Africa’s two largest economies, Nigeria and South Africa, Lafarge Africa is actively participating in the urbanization and economic growth of Africa.
Giant Beverages out with Vitamin Water
Giant Beverages Limited, a new manufacturing company engaged in the production of natural and healthy non-alcoholic beverages last Tuesday introduced different variants of vitamin water known as Giant Vitamin Water into the Nigerian market.
The brand, which is the first of its kind in the Nigerian beverage scene, was formally unveiled at a media briefing held in Lagos recently. It was formally unveiled at a media briefing at La Maison Faharaheit in Lagos.
The product is made from demineralised water, infused with natural fruit extracts, vitamin and minerals unlike carbonated drinks made from chemical compounds and sugar. It does not contain artificial flavours, colours and preservatives.
According to the marketing manager of the company, Mrs. Bose Ogunyemi, Giant Vitamin Water comes in one bottle size of 500ml but six delightful variants – Blackcurrant-Acai, Lingonberry-Boysenberry, Pineapple-Passion, Orange-Lime, Lemon-Balm, and Prickly Pear-Kiwi.
Each variant, according to her, has blend of vitamins and fruit extracts to deliver refreshing and naturally tasting hydration.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Emmanuel Akpah, Regional Sales Manager, Lagos and South West, revealed that Giant Vitamin Water is now available in all parts of Nigeria.
Giant Beverages produces products of the highest quality and is committed to delivering quality service to its customers. Its drinks are produced with the finest natural ingredients to meet high quality standards.