JG Speedfit marks its 18th anniversary.
Supplied by Speedfit
Bringing JG Speedfit into South Africa has been a journey for Gavin van Heusden. Having used the product while living in the UK. Van Heusden was surprised to discover that no push-fit plumbing was available in SA.
This got him thinking: would a high-grade approved polymer system that is both reliable and easy to install be of value to local plumbers in Mzansi? He contacted the manufacturer in the UK, they agreed to his idea of distribution and he then booked some space at Interbuild 2006 to test his theory.
“After meeting hundreds of plumbers at the show I was convinced, there was a need for a quality push-fit plumbing solution in South Africa. And as they say, the rest is history!” says Gavin. “Interestingly, our birthday is the show start date.”
What started out in his garage, he now employs 19 dedicated people who work tirelessly with him to grow the brand. And while the company has seen exceptional growth, it hasn’t always been plain sailing. “We’re fortunate to offer a high-quality product that resonates well with plumbers,” says Gavin, “We’ve heard numerous plumbers say, it sells itself”. With the right product we very early on established two key differentiators that have shaped Speedfit Africa’s growth. We introduced a range of services for plumbers that were previously non-existent in the market, and we developed a 4-pillar operational framework known as PAVE (People, Availability, Visibility, and Efficiency). Each pillar has been tested over the years, but they have stood strong, and we continue to grow.”
Strong competition has been one of the challenges they have faced, but van Heusden says they take the view that competition is a healthy aspect of the industry.
“We’ve carved out our niche in the market and focused on our strengths to continue our growth. We’ve also had to contend with the prevalence of unapproved systems in the market, which poses risks not just for us but for the entire plumbing industry,” says Gavin.
Expanding reach through the merchant network has also been tough. However, they managed to transform this into an area of strength due to their merchants maintaining excellent stock models. Ultimately, the plumbers benefit.
“Ensuring strong availability is critical for plumbers to enjoy a seamless experience,” says Gavin, “We are currently focusing on enhancing uniform stock holdings and increasing national availability.”
The company’s slogan is “Make the Right Connection”, and this encapsulates their philosophy. It reflects the value placed on the relationships built with merchants and plumbers, as well as being an invitation to all plumbers to try JG Speedfit and make the right connection.
When asked how he feels about celebrating their 18th anniversary, Gavin enthuses, “I feel ecstatic! We’re just getting started and JG Speedfit still has a long journey ahead as a quality brand in South Africa.”
