An uncompromising approach to success

Since its establishment in Durban in 1974, Bearing Man has been single-minded in its dedication to providing customers with products of the finest quality. This uncompromising approach has been the foundation of BearingMan's growth from a one shop bearing company to becoming Africa's largest distributor of bearings, seals, power transmission components, gear products, belting and fasteners. Bearing Man's range of products is distributed efficiently through a national branch network and supported by unparalleled levels of technical expertise and service.The company has an extensive retail and wholesale branch distribution network of about 100 outlets throughout SouthAfrica, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, Botswana and Mozambique.

Corporate Culture
Bearing Man has a corporate culture that strives for excellence, and continually seeks new opportunities. The company works hard at relationships and has secured the exclusive supply, service and distribution agreements of some of the world's most respected manufacturers of leading engineering consumables. Today, Bearing Man has exclusive rights to over 35 brands and shared rights to another 20. The range includes NSK, NTN, TIMKEN and IKO bearings; FENNER power transmission components: TSUBAKI chain, NORD geared motors and HABASITLINK modular belting. The intensive international sourcing policy ensures that the best products and leading brands from around the world are supplied to local industry.

History
Bearing Man's success can be attributed to a carefully structured expansion programme, where new products are launched to satisfy exact market demand. Bearing Man grew by not only starting its own retail and wholesale outlets but by taking over independent local distributors. Many of its acquisitions are still managed by the original owners. Bearing Man has diversified its product base, to give the company vast synergies as these products are all sold to the same customer base.

• A major turning point came in 1977 when Japanese bearings manufacturer NipponThompson awarded it exclusive distribution rights for the IKO range in South Africa.
• In 1991, Bearing Man took over the bearings division of Anglovaal's Steelmetals, which had the sole SA rights to distribute the products of NSK of Japan, the second-largest bearingsmanufacturer in the world.
• Bearing Man acquired Fenner Power Transmission distribution inAugust 1998.
• Bearing Man acquired Invicta Bearings in 2000, which serves as a second route to market. To conclude the deal, Bearing Man issued shares to Invicta Holdings which became its controlling shareholder.
• Bearing Man acquired Springset, a fastener business in 2004.
• The company delisted in 2005 to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Humulani Investments (Pty) Ltd, a company controlled by Invicta Holdings Ltd.
• Bearing Man has further expanded its fasteners business with the 2007 acquisition of Obex Fasteners.

BEE
The recent conclusion of Invicta's BEE transaction will stimulate future growth of the group's business.The new partner is aloeCap, which is a 100% black owned and managed company. It is held 90% by its founder black entrepreneurs and 10% by a trust established to benefit previously disadvantaged women.The Bearing Man team is proud to work alongside dynamic business people who are making a positive impact on the SouthAfrican economy.

Diverse Customer Base
The company's commitment to providing the best service to a diverse customer base is reflected in a substantial stock holding at all branches, of a comprehensive range of quality branded products. Through a sophisticated computer system, product and customer profiles are constantly monitored.The experienced and dedicated sales and technical support team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In the past financial year Bearing Man's logistics department has initiated a complex process of analysing the efficiencies of the company's local distribution system. Specific areas for improvement have been identified and the process of researching and analysing alternative distribution models is under way.

Staff
Bearing Man has an ‘employ for life’ philosophy and staff are encouraged to develop personally as the company grows. Bearing Man’s vision “to enhance technical skills and customer service and relationship management across the organisation” encompasses dedication to training its people using appropriate tuition programmes that deliver quality training.

Teaching modules include financial and computer literacy, contract law, technical skills, life skills, management skills, customer service, telephone etiquette, forklift driving and ABET (adult basic education and training) programmes.

Certification
Bearing Man’s commitment to maintaining the highest quality standards is strengthened by the ISO 9001: 2000 certification.

Social Responsibility
Bearing Man is also committed to sustainable development and instils in its team a responsibility for health, safety, the environment and local communities. The group is involved in The Business Trust,which is an initiative of a large number of South African companies working in partnership with the Government to help provide sustained improvements in the lives of the underprivileged.

Bearing Man is well positioned to maintain and enhance its prominent position in the SouthAfrican engineering consumables sector. This vibrant company is geared to meet the strong demand across all sectors of industry.

With renewed focus and energy, the company looks forward to delivering on its core goals of:

• Growth in sales and profitability
• Cost efficiency
• Service excellence
• Superior returns on capital