Agrimark Klawer

What does it take for a producer to quickly get packaging materials, veterinary medicines, pet food, and fertilisers at the best price? And what does it take for a resident of Klawer to get household goods, tools for DIY projects, and utility items on a Saturday?

Esna Goosen and her team are here to assist customers with their needs. And when you speak with them and walk through the store, you realise that service here is top-notch. Esna was Agrimark's first female store manager. She's a trailblazer and she wanted to make the Klawer store a go-to destination from the start.

"We are conveniently located for anyone needing a packet of screws, pet supplies, household goods, or stock for one of the area's guesthouses. There's development in the area, and therefore building materials are in high demand and definitely something we'll expand further," she says.

Next to her office is Gert Orayn, who has been working here for 14 years, assisting a customer over the phone while another waits for him in the hallway with something on their mind. Before long, both are helped and satisfied.

"We strongly believe that customers should leave here satisfied. Hopefully, with everything they wanted to buy. We try to keep everyone happy, and for me, it starts with the staff," says Esna, who has been the store manager for a little over two years.

She grew up in Bellville but has been working in the area since leaving school — first in Lutzville, then Vredendal, and now she's firmly rooted in Klawer.

In her office is Stiaan van Wyk, the marketer who also manages Agrimark Packaging. The packaging material store is located just a short distance from Agrimark Klawer.

He explains: "Table grapes are a major product in our area, and we supply all the packaging materials for producers who pack products for export and local distribution — from cartons to gas films and anything else they might need. This requires careful planning as grape season is very busy and falls over the December summer holiday. Then we must quickly meet all needs and make plans if things change. Sometimes extraordinary orders come in, for example, if the gas films change, or as it is now with logistical issues at the ports, bags with better ventilation are needed so that the fruits can have a longer shelf life. Fortunately, we are prepared for that and can always help the producers."

He explains that he regularly visits the producers, even in the quiet season, to strengthen relationships and ensure that planning for the upcoming season is done in time.

Apart from table grapes, they also supply packaging material for tomatoes, onions, butternuts, and cucumbers. Tomato producers are currently going through a difficult time with the plague of the tomato leaf miner moth, or Tuta absoluta, which seriously threatens the local tomato industry, as in other parts of the country.

Esna explains that the store in Klawer is divided into different departments, and the staff ensures that everything runs smoothly in each part of the store. She has already expanded the paint department and has established brands such as Plascon, Dulux, and Duram, and installed a paint mixing machine. The department is very popular, and she wants to further expand it, as well as the building department, to meet a growing need in the area. They also stock a lot of new ranges such as tiles, window and door frames, and building materials like sand, cement, and bricks that are not available elsewhere in the town.

The store also offers a wide range of hardware and power tools, an extensive automotive products department, and protective clothing for farm workers, including gloves, safety glasses, boots, and other items. Producers can order fertilizer and diesel in bulk, which is then delivered to the farms.

"Fortunately, our forecourt in front of the store is very busy, and many freight trucks come here for refuelling. The pumps are open every day of the week from 06:00 to 20:00, and a small convenience store provides light snacks and soft drinks.

Molasses syrup is available for producers making silage. To facilitate things for them, they can bring their own containers to tap molasses at the store and they are not obliged to purchase in bulk.

More and more producers are using protective nets, and the store stocks all the equipment for setting them up, such as the nets, poles, anchor cables, and wires. Many raisin producers also use nets that are spread out on the ground and on which the grapes are then dried.

TEGO containers are also available here. Raisin farmers use it mainly as storage space and to transport their dried fruits to processing plants.

"Our biggest challenge here is to keep everyone happy," Esna jokes. "The producers all have different needs, while our staff also need to remain part of the team. We hold monthly meetings, or more frequently if necessary, and then I provide everyone with the necessary information to keep this ship on course. I want everyone to feel part of the team and to be informed about what's going on in the area and what the company's overarching policies and strategies are. And my door is always open to discuss anything people have on their minds."

Agrimark Klawer's team is also involved in the local community in an effort to make everyone feel part of Klawer. They have held two Super Saturdays over the past two years, and last month four of the store's staff members held a dog dipping day with Vredendal's veterinarian, Dr. Ndlovu, and his team.

Agrimark Klawer is thriving in a region where agricultural activity is flourishing. They are ready to provide professional service and high-quality products at competitive prices to all their customers.

Agrimark Klawer: Church Street, 8145 | Tel: 027 216 1522 | www.agrimark.co.za