EIGHTEEN MONTHS since the merger of Danzas Intercontinental and AEI, the company's South African operation is fast developing as the engine for growth into sub-Saharan Africa, not only for South Africa but for Danzas AEI's worldwide network.
That's the word from group managing director - Southern African region, Daniella De Pauw, who was charged with setting up the structures and IT systems that will ensure that the same quality procedures apply in southern Africa as at all Danzas AEI offices worldwide.
"AEI previously worked through agents in sub-Saharan Africa," De Pauw told FTW.
"After the Danzas takeover, the company purchased the Walford Meadows offices in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi to strengthen ties in those countries.
"And the decision was taken based on customer needs. Viability studies established that those were the countries in which we needed to strengthen our presence."
Charles Wilcox, who was previously based in Zimbabwe and was involved with the purchase of the Walford Meadows companies, has joined the South African regional office as senior director - Southern Africa while Jannie Davel is responsible for sales development.
"Our policy is to adapt worldwide systems to local needs but never to compromise on quality," says De Pauw. And this demands some serious education, particularly in southern Africa.
With the Zambian, Malawian and Zimbabwean operations now bedded down, the company is constantly testing the market. "But all our decisions are based on client demand - if the business is there we'll provide the necessary infrastructure to make it work in the best interests of our clients," said De Pauw.
Charles Wilcox and Daniella de Pauw ...
adapting worldwide systems to local needs
