Courier service allows drivers to become small business owners

Delivery drivers are being given an opportunity to become self-employed business owners through a medical logistics company which is allowing them to become third party suppliers instead of mere employees.

The first 18 MediLogistics owner-drivers have now been enabled to double their income and own their own vehicles through an innovative supplier development programme, to match a growing demand for reliable and safe delivery of health-related and niche products.

“For me, this has been a once in a lifetime opportunity,” says Heiwang Moseki, one of MediLogistics’ very first fully-fledged owner-drivers who has been with MediLogistics since 2012.

“When I heard about this prospect, I realised that this is a way to go up in life. I talked to my wife and with her blessing we decided to take this exciting journey.”

The initiative makes it possible for drivers to become owner-driver consultants, who distribute and deliver parcels as a third-party courier service for MediLogistics. The company provides full backing and support to the drivers, with access to the courier database, allocated routes, and delivery records to grow and expand their skills to become self-reliant business owners.

“The initiative enables qualifying drivers to become owner-drivers with the backing of a team that assists with all the finer details of owning a business, such as tax and provisional tax registration, business advice and training opportunities,” says Werner Busch, national operations manager for MediLogistics.

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Drivers become third-party suppliers

 “When a driver starts as a third-party supplier, the company assists with paying for fuel upfront as well as other interventions to ensure that the owner-drivers are fully equipped to ensure success in their new ventures.”

This is especially important in new business incubation, as starting out as a small business owner is a steep learning curve and this support helps the new businesses to reach stability, Busch says.

“The top performers have more than doubled their salaries since making the transition to being self-employed. It has been mutually beneficial, as the company has seen a 25% increase in productivity since the implementation of this supplier development initiative. Through empowering employees to become micro-enterprises, we hope to stimulate entrepreneurship and cultivate small business ownership.”

MediLogistics drivers have enrolled so far to become owner-drivers at branches in Gezina, Pretoria, Cape Town, eThekwini and Pietermaritzburg. Drivers are armed with knowledge, assisted with financing their vehicles and helped with practical skills to become successful small businesses.

Working from the MediLogistics Gezina branch, Moseki could recently finance a brand-new vehicle and says that he can choose to increase his salary by working extra time and delivering more parcels.

“Having been with MediLogistics for so long, I know the business inside out. Being a full-time business owner and securing my own income while having the full backing of MediLogistics support has so far only been a wonderful experience,” he says.

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This is how small business owners get a boost

Drivers on the owner-driver project can rent a vehicle from MediLogistics until they get finance for their cars. Once the driver has been assisted with vehicle financing, the driver’s choice of vehicle is vetted to ensure that it meets the requirements and regulations as needed to ensure optimal pharmaceutical standards.

Each owner-driver’s car is also fitted with cooling units as required to uphold MediLogistics’ commitment to the principles of Good Pharmacy Practice.

Lebogang Mohale, who has been with MediLogistics Gezina for almost seven years, also decided to grab the opportunity with both hands.

“I only recently started with the owner-driver initiative and look forward to being my own boss as a business owner. It is still early days and I am using a company vehicle while waiting to finance my own. For now, I am learning and very much looking forward to what the future holds.”

“We are proud to support these enterprising individuals as part of our supply chain development strategy, increasing household income and creating opportunities for a more prosperous future,” Noel Guliwe, group chief executive officer of Medipost Holdings says.

“We wish the owner-drivers well in establishing their own businesses in this growing niche market and congratulate each one of them. We look forward to a fulfilling partnership that will continue to deliver excellence and reliability for the clients, healthcare providers and patients we serve,” he says.