Warding off the Chinese challenge

Growing cross-border exports is not as easy as one would think – despite political talk of growing intraregional trade, says Maverick Trading’s Cedric Simons. “The competition has been increasing and that is our big challenge now. The Chinese in Africa are a reality and they are offering customers a product that they can manufacture for a lot cheaper than what local companies such as ours can do,” he says. “We have a quality product and so we have to convince customers that ours is the product they want to install. We have to continuously invest in research and development to ensure we have a better and more advanced offering on the table. Our goal has always been simple – to be the market leader in polymer concrete manhole covers and frames in Africa.” There is no question that a theft-proof unbreakable manhole cover is needed locally and cross-border. “We work closely with the Department of Trade and Industry to expand our market in Africa. The only constant in today’s world is change and so we continue to deliver on our mandate – giving the market what it needs.”