Sarens Announces New Partnership in Zambia
Partnership with Lusaka-based company Shumba brings new opportunities to the region
6
December 2018

Sarens is pleased to announce a new partnership between Sarens South Africa and Shumba, a family-owned business specialising in earthworks and civil works in Lusaka, Zambia. Jonathan Greenway, sales representative for Sarens South Africa, offers insights into this new partnership and emerging opportunities to serve the growing construction market in Zambia: 

What makes Zambia a growth market, and what is the outlook for the future? 

From a political standpoint, the Zambian government welcomes foreign investment and multinational companies who want to invest in the local market. This empowers foreign companies to employ and train local people. From an economic standpoint, there is growing construction in the capital, Lusaka, as well as wind opportunities in the east/south region as well as mining in the Copperbelt region in the north. 

What are the benefits of this new partnership, and which markets will it serve? 

From experience, we know that entering a new market on our own is very challenging and time-consuming, which is why we establish local partners. This allows us to provide our customers with benefits like exceptional SHEQ standards, a high-quality fleet of equipment, competitive pricing, locally-employed crane operators, solutions for both civil and construction works, and the backing of an established South African depot. Together, Sarens and Shumba will serve the construction and civil market in the Lusaka region. 

What is Sarens' vision for this region? 

Sarens South Africa, which supervises the operations in Zambia, has a short-term and long-term vision for this region. To begin with, we have established a depot to serve the construction market in the capital, mobilising four cranes from Johannesburg to Lusaka. This depot is located just outside of the city, on a new major highway that allows us to mobilise quickly while avoiding traffic congestion inside the capital. 

We foresee growth in Lusaka with the start of a taxi rental depot as well as additional services such as rigging studies, method statements, engineering, and most importantly, SHEQ implementation. In terms of construction, we are using a 3-month forecast to maintain occupation of our local fleet and expand it based on local market demands. Over the long term, we are aiming at projects in the Copperbelt area as well as long-term projects in other provinces. 

Which services, equipment, and solutions will be available to clients in this region? 

Sarens currently has 90T, 80T, 60T, and 55T all-terrain cranes available to clients in the region. We also offer engineering services, including rigging studies and method statements. Finally, we provide SHEQ safety standards and compliance. 

How can clients get in touch? 

Clients may contact Sarens South Africa sales representative Jonathan Greenway at jonathan.greenway@sarens.com and +27 847 975 906, or Shumba owner Clinton Jones at clint375@yahoo.com and +260 966 176 622.