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40 • Distribution
Trentyre
celebrates
successful
2008
Michel Rzonzef, President of Goodyear’s
Eastern Europe Middle East & Africa
Countries (EEMEA), and Mike King,
MD of Trentyre.
2008 was a pivotal year for Trentyre. The company exceeded expectations
and delivered positive results by successfully implementing its strategy.
With a strong focus on delivering quality service to customers, Trentyre
was an important role player in the Goodyear group strategy in South
Africa.
Michel Rzonzef, President of Goodyear’s Eastern Europe Middle East &
Africa Countries (EEMEA), spent a day with the Trentyre leadership team in
Johannesburg during his recent visit to the country.
“I am very proud that Trentyre has made the turnaround and delivered the
results,” said Michel. “They did what they said they would. I have seen a very
confident team who is happy to work together and who are very upbeat about
their business prospects.
Trentyre boasts strong leadership, people who are extremely business
minded, focused and close to their customers and the branch teams. They
listen to their own branches to really identify what can and should be done
differently to improve the operations.
Their clear strategy is continuously communicated to the team and draws a
high level of cohesion and alignment across the company. Customers are seen
as the cog of the Trentyre wheel with the branches revolving around them.”
Find Solutions
2008 taught the Trentyre team the value of commitment and was proof of the
resilience of its people.
“It is certainly not said lightly, but Trentyre and its people truly epitomise
a culture of not giving up and always finding a solution for the customer,”
says Mike King, Managing Director. “Each and every employee should feel
particularly proud of the organisation’s achievements. Everyone’s contribution
added to our results.
Although 2009 will be very different given fiscal circumstances, the leadership
team has carefully considered the direction they need for the company.
“We believe that we are well positioned to make significant progress this
year. The people’s resilience, spirit and commitment to the success of the
organisation, will lead us to even more success,” says Mike.
2009 can be a Record Year
Although the turmoil of the world economy is on everyone’s mind, the South
African economy will be less impacted than major global markets. It will be
more important than ever for Trentyre to work closely with its customers and
to support their business in these volatile times.
“I am convinced about the growth opportunity of the local market. The Trentyre
turnaround in 2008 has positioned the company to win in this environment.
I believe we will make the difference compared to our competitors and that
2009 will be a record year for Trentyre,” says Michel.
Trentyre is Goodyear’s main distribution channel of commercial tyres in
South Africa. The strong Goodyear brand, together with Trentyre as the
service provider, will outperform the competition. Through the Trentyre
branch and retread factory network, this partnership has a unique offering
in the market place.”
First with people
In December three Trentyre employees were presented with the “First
with People” awards. The purpose of the award is to provide recognition to
individuals in the various EEMEA countries where Goodyear operates and
was started by the EEMEA President in 2006. The proud South African
recipients are Joey Visser (Warehouse Manager in Spartan), Preggie Naidoo
(Business Manager in Port Shepstone) and André van Niekerk (Area Sales
Manager in the Western Cape).
“We do not give the awards by chance, but it is a recognition of the new
attitude of the people in Trentyre,” explains Michel. “All employees feel part
of the business, and work at identifying opportunities for profit as much as
driving cost out of the operations. The people are delivering results. I have no
doubt that it is a reflection of the new attitude in the whole organisation.”