Owner-driver project empowers

A number of owner-drivers recently received the keys to new vehicles at a handover ceremony at Adcock Ingram Healthcare Midrand during a celebration to mark the latest phase in the Adcock Ingram owner-driver enterprise development initiative.

In a statement, managing director of distribution at the pharmaceutical company, Tobie Krige, said the project, which started in 2012, has proved extremely successful with a total of 19 owner-driver entrepreneurs now contracted to Adcock Ingram’s distribution service. From a modest start of 12 vehicles based in Midrand, the project has expanded to include teams in Cape Town, Bloemfontein and at the Adcock Ingram Critical Care facility in Aeroton.

The Adcock Ingram owner-driver scheme was developed as an innovative scheme to give promising candidates ownership of a business, while realising the company’s enterprise development objectives. Krige explained that the owner-drivers are directors of their enterprises and owners of the vehicles while usually employing two or three assistants in each business. Adcock Ingram contracts with the business owners to distribute their products across allocated territories.

The company empowers the drivers through training in various standard operating procedures, and shares new logistics technologies and business management skills, to ensure these entrepreneurs get the best shot at business success.

Krige stated, “The addition of eight vehicles brings the fleet of our owner-driver entrepreneurs to 52 vehicles. I am passionate about this programme and have seen how it changes the lives of the business owners.

“I am privileged to formalise this next phase of the owner-driver project. We believe in adding value to life and, as a company, we are committed to helping combat unemployment. There is a great entrepreneurial spirit shared by our owner-drivers and it is amazing to see how much dedication and effort people can put into something when given the chance.”

One of the first-phase and now established owner-drivers, Meshack Matswi, talked about his experiences and the value of being a director. He said, “I am fortunate that my business success has enabled me to build a three bed-roomed home and has given my family the financial security that allows us to live happily and without stress.”

He mentioned that he had grown so much since being given this opportunity and has gained business skills that he uses in running his business and which empower him to assist the newer owner-drivers in the development of their enterprises.

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