Build it-Archived

ABOUT BUILD IT

Build it was launched in 1985, with only 30 largely rural independent retailers in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Expansion grew towards the inland in the 1990’s and before long, in 2000, Build it focused on targeting all urban and rural communities nationwide. As the network has grown, stores have opened in countries like Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique with future plans to venture into Zambia and Botswana.   

Being a division of the SPAR Group Limited with over 10 000 group employees, has six regional offices, one central office and a distribution centre.  

Build it, a voluntary trading group of independent retailers, supplies quality building material and related hardware at the best possible prices as well as any advice and additional services required to complete any building project.  

Each Build it is owner-operated and managed, and currently have more than 370 retail stores nationwide. Family, Entrepreneurship & Passion is our core value and we do our upmost best to deliver the best possible customer service and products to all. 

We believe in giving back to our communities, which is each individual owner’s responsibility. Although we would like to serve everyone, we are especially fond of our youth and enjoy sponsoring under-13 soccer development in South Africa.

THE EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

BUILD IT NATIONAL GUILD DIRECTORS 2018

Wayne Hook 
Ray Whitmore 
Rob Lister 
James Crawford
Hawie du Preez 
Steven Schaeffer 
Matseliso Chondoma 
Suzette Geldenhuys

OUR CULTURE & VALUES

OUR PURPOSE

To make home-building simple

OUR VISION

Brand of choice in our communities 

OUR VALUES

Entrepreneurship, passion & family

REASONS TO INVEST IN BUILD IT

Being the fastest growing hardware and building materials group in Southern Africa over the last 30 years, Build it has consistently out-grown the market. 

Competitive
The Build it system of trading puts independent retailers in a position to compete with existing competition and assists in combating increased oppositions and competition simultaneously.

Improved Value of Your Business
As Build it continues to grow as a brand in the market place, the marketability and market value of Build it stores will increase.

Shared Knowledge
Regional meetings of members and cell meetings provide forums to announce new promotional activity and allow for cross-pollination of ideas. In addition, the Annual Convention brings the regions together, including Retailers, Suppliers, Regional and Central Office support staff for three days of shared ideas, motivational thinking and the recognition of exceptional service and performance within the group.

Improved Image and Standards
Bi-annual stores’ standards for excellence evaluations are carried out by an independent judge, giving retailers an outsider’s view of their business.

Partnerships
Being part of a team means shared knowledge, shared enthusiasm and most importantly shared success through the system of voluntary trading with Build it.

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Build it provides a comprehensive range of housebrands which are available in all Build it stores nationwide. Our housebrands are quality products at very competitive prices and gives the customer a choice which is underpinned by the quality standards set by the brand. Build it offers the following products to its target market:
  • Brushware
  • Brassware
  • Cement
  • Decorative 
  • Domestic Furniture
  • Drill Bits
  • Electrical
  • Fasteners
  • Fencing
  • Flat Sheet
  • Garden & Outdoor
  • Hardware & General
  • Ironmongery
  • Joinery
  • Metals
  • Openings
  • Paint
  • Plumbware
  • Putty
  • Rainwater Goods
  • Roofing Material
  • Ropes
  • Structural Timber
  • Telephone & TV Accessories
  • Tools
  • Wall & Floor
  • Water Tanks

MARKET TRENDS & TARGET MARKET

Build it targets all activities within the building and hardware industry, and focuses particularly on the building of the basic, urban houses, the ‘township’ houses, rural housing and all home improvements on a small and large scale.  

Build it’s offering is most suited towards the lower to middle income, emerging market. This focus includes the upper LSMs. These focus areas include:
  • Do It Yourself
  • Build It Yourself
  • Small and Medium Enterprises
  • Contractors
Our aim is to provide a full purchasing solution to build a home from the foundations to the finishes and fittings.

REQUIREMENTS

Membership
Membership is granted only to an individual and cannot be sold or transferred. There is no membership fee, only an entrance and launch fee, which is payable on application. This amount is fully refundable should your application not be successful.

Guarantees and sureties
To open a trading account the SPAR Group will require appropriate security.

Payment terms for a new store
Opening payment terms:
This is at the discretion of the Regional Credit Manager. Ongoing payment terms:
  • Distribution Centre: 48 days from weekly statement
  • Drop-shipment: 48 days from weekly statement

ESTABLISHMENT COST

Value of investment depends on the size of the store & location. More information to be requested from the closest Build it Office.  Own cash contribution is required and more information can be required from the closest Build it Office. 

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Number of staff required as well as their individual experience and qualifications required to be confirmed.  

TRAINING

Training to be completed regarding the following strategic overviews during the Management Induction Program:
WEEK 1
  • Retail Operations
  • Marketing
  • Human Resources
  • Retail Finance
  • Service Departments
  • Food Safety
  • Consumer Protection Act
WEEK 2
  • Pricing & Merchandising
  • CATMAN
  • Ordering and Receiving
  • Stock take
  • Crime Prevention
  • Look / Learns and Project
  • Customer Focus Groups
This training is aimed at Store Owners, Store Managers, Assistant Managers, Employees with Management potential and attendees of the Young Managers Conference. Training for all other employees and strategic overviews to be confirmed.

CONTACT INFORMATION

  • Build it Central Office

    PO Box 1589, Pinetown 3600

    Tel: 031 719 1759

    Fax: 031 719 1993

  • Build it KwaZulu-Natal

    James Crawford

    Tel: 031 508 5129

    Cell: 082 498 7339

  • Build it South Rand

    Hawie du Preez

    Tel: 011 821 4262

    Cell: 083 304 1705

  • Build it North Rand

    Simon Bisset

    Tel: 011 203 5324

    Cell: 082 564 2967

  • Build it Eastern Cape

    Girschwin Lewack

    Tel: 041 404 5006

    Cell: 060 546 8576

  • Build it Lowveld

    Anton Wassenaar

    Tel: 013 753 6826

    Cell: 082 821 9787

FUNDING APPLICATION

The consideration of an application for funding by an individual to a financial institution, whether it is a commercial bank or a development funding institution, always pivots around two principles;
  • The profile of the applicant candidate with reference to financial position and the way in which an individual conducted his or her personal financial affairs. In certain cases, prior experience in the industry in which the franchise brand operates will be required, e.g. the restaurant and hospitality industries. The funder will also assess the current lifestyle of the applicant in order to determine if the size and profitability of the new business suits the applicant and if expectations could be met.
  • The parameters of the actual opportunity available, whether it’s a new or existing business. The business case for the repayment of a loan is always dependent on the numbers, which is a function of location, projected sales, overheads, etc.
It is therefore not possible for a funding application to be processed unless all the details of the applicant, as well as the details of a business’ plan, demonstrating that the business will be able to repay its debt, are available. The initial step will always remain an application to the franchise brand in order to introduce a candidate, after which specific opportunities would be communicated to be followed by an application for funding.
Build it will certainly be able to refer successful applicants to suitable funders once an application has been approved by the franchisor, but every funder will also have its own application and approval process. 

What could be stated is that once a prospective franchisee has completed the online 6-step application process below, the same application will be submitted to the funder, i.e. no additional forms will be required.

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Should you wish to proceed with the application process, you will be required to register online and navigate your way through a 6-step application process. Only after completing the application process will the franchisor provide you with a detailed Disclosure Document as required by the Consumer Protection Act.  The 6-step application process is designed with three objectives:
  1. To allow the prospective candidate an opportunity to disclose and communicate all the personal information required by the franchisor and the funder to take a view on how well-suited you are for assuming the role of franchisee.
  2. As intimidating or time consuming as the application process may seem, it exposes you to a fraction of the level of resilience required to ultimately own and manage your own franchised business. 
  3. Successful franchisees comply with the rules and procedures of the business system. Completing the five steps of the application process can be deemed your introduction to adhering to the Build it business system.
While the application process is not intended to discourage prospective franchisees or to create barriers to entry, the process by its very nature will serve as an early deterring mechanism for candidates who should not be pursuing business ownership. The truth is that the challenges a franchisee will face in their own business is significantly more complicated and daunting than the application process. If you are intimidated by the 5-step process running a business will likely be more challenging than you are anticipating, essentially putting yourself, the franchisor, the funder, the landlord and your future staff at risk.

From a cost perspective the charges relating to the entrepreneurial assessment, application review and credit profile verifications are insignificant when measured against the cost of buying a franchise, and it could be the best money you ever spent should the outcome confirm that you should not venture into business or that you would not be able to attract funding.

APPLICATION PROCESS

STEP 1

Register
online

STEP 2

Complete 
quick application

STEP 3

Online Entrepreneurial and Franchisee Aptitude Assessment 
R345.00 VAT Incl

Upon completion of STEP 1 to 3, you will receive a 
notification from Build it to proceed with STEP 4

STEP 4

Complete full application plus document uploads

STEP 5

Request credit check 
and application review 
R1 725.00 VAT incl

STEP 6

Franchisor introduction
meeting

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