Electrical crane materials and flexible cables supplier Powermite has appointed FS Musonda Trading, in Kitwe, the Zambian agent for its materials handling product offering.

It is important to have a local representative in the country looking after South Africa-based Powermite’s interests, Powermite director Donovan Marks tells Mining Weekly.

“We are regularly looking for local agents to represent us in various African countries as we feel this is the best way of entering a specific region. We have been doing business with FS Musonda for many years and, through negotiations, it became apparent that the company’s appointment as Powermite’s Zambian agent was the best route to follow,” he says.

The appointment took place towards the end of last year, in line with the Africa expansion strategy of Powermite’s parent company, Hudaco Industries –  a South African group that specialises in the distribution of high-quality branded automotive, industrial and electrical consumable products.

“Hudaco is developing regional plans for Africa and, once these have been finalised, we will have a better idea of where to establish regional offices to expand into Africa as a group,” explains Marks, adding that Zambia is an important part of Powermite’s business strategy.

The country has several sectors that align with Powermite’s business offering and it sees growth opportunities in the mining and industrial sectors.

In Zambia, the company offers mining cables and connectors, and materials handling products for the crane industry and processing plants.

“We have developed strong relationships with certain mining houses active in Zambia directly and indirectly through local distributors,” says Marks.

Powermite’s most recent Zambian order involved the supply of mining cables and connectors for an expansion project at an operation of a large mining group.

“We have ensured that a value-added package is offered to the Zambian mining industry, not only in terms of product supply but also technical solutions to improve day-to-day operations and reduce downtime.

“We see no challenges at this stage in growing our market share in Zambia,” states Marks.