Outsourcing Deal Announced
Multi-million Rand deal with international trading
and distribution group
SRM Technologies, a supplier of relationship management
systems and solutions, has struck a groundbreaking deal
with the Bidvest Group in Europe to develop a complete
end-to-end integrated supply chain solution.
The Bidvest deal makes SRM Technologies - a participant
in the Hub's Maxum Business Incubator - the preferred
technology partner for Makella, Bidvest's UK procurement
services arm. According to SRM Technologies CEO, Wilhelm
Greyling, this agreement marks the culmination of a
successful two-and-a-half year working relationship
with the UK-based company. "We have been working
with them so closely for so long, that it really didn't
make sense to continue with just a normal client-supplier
relationship. We have built a relationship of trust,
each understaning how the other operates, and we share
the same vision."
SRM Technologies will continue with their development
and support services to Makella on its existing technology,
but will also become involved in the joint development
of replacement technology to help Makella migrate from
their current platform to the new Microsoft.net based
technology.
Part of the combined vision is to bring together best
of breed technology, streamlined business processes
and industry expertise to generate an enterprise application
that will extend across the entire supply chain. Building
on the existing service level agreement with Makella,
SRM Technologies will combine its vast implementation
experience and technology development competence with
Makella's commercial expertise.
Makella will also provide a commercial platform and
practical operational environment to bring to market
SRM strategies and technologies that will effectively
provide clients of both companies with massive bottom
line savings.
Over the initial five year term of the agreement, SRM
Technologies will make a significant investment to gain
access to Makella's existing technologies, while Makella
will take up equity in SRM Technologies. Any new technology
developed will be mutually owned. Greyling believes
that this heralds good news for the South African market,
where SRM as a concept is in the very early stages of
adoption. "Exposure to international expertise
and technology can only strengthen the local industry.
What's great about this partnership is that although
the technology is originally from overseas, it will
become locally driven", he said.
Joining in this local drive will be Johann Havenga,
a shareholder in SRM Technologies who takes up the reins
of COO and Director of Business Development and Strategy
from September this year. He predicts that the new development
will create a number of opportunities for the company.
"In a increasingly competitive market, competitive
advantage depends on a company's ability to optimise
its supply chain. This is one of the fundamental areas
where a sustainable advantage should be created. Through
this technology, SRM can add business understanding
and provide tools to create the advantage that is required
to help our clients win."
Access to Makella's existing technology has given SRM
Technologies a head-start in bringing these tools to
clients through evening out the learning curve. "Bidvest
uses these systems on a daily basis, which allows us
to assess where the issues are and how to improve on
them. That way, when we mould the technology it will
be based on practical experience."
Substantial momentum has been created since the deal
was formalised in early June. With active recruiting
and a planned expansion of operations currently underway,
it's full steam ahead for this determined company.
For more information on SRM Technologies, email info@srm-technologies.com
or call them on +27 12 844 1070/1.
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