The Power Festival, now in its third year, delivered on its promise of being bigger and better, taking the industry by storm at the stunning Emerald Casino Resort last month. Over two action-packed days, attendees experienced a blend of fun, networking, and incredible displays of innovation, all while enjoying top-notch entertainment and unique surprises.
Fun, games, and neon nights
The festival kicked off with a day of friendly competition and great branding, starting with a Putt-Putt tournament sponsored by Vermont Sales and a Ten-Pin bowling challenge courtesy of GlueDevil.
As the sun set, the excitement flowed into the evening’s Neon Night, sponsored by Ruwag. The event space was transformed into a dazzling display of neon lights and glowing décor, setting the stage for an evening of unforgettable experiences. The festivities began with a welcome address by Rashid Mohammed, CFO, who spoke passionately about the ‘UNFAIR ADVANTAGE’.
He mentioned that to date, Power Build supports close to 700 member stores, a remarkable growth of 560 stores since March 2021. He added that this growth is testament to the groups’ collective commitment to innovation and excellence in building better businesses. Power Build offers its members more than just operational support and marketing solutions but provides what they call the ‘unfair advantage’, which is a trademark that embodies the groups’ commitment of surpassing the basic expectations of traditional buyers and groups.
“We understand the entrepreneurial spirit of our independent retail members and work tirelessly to eliminate inefficiencies, giving them back valuable time to focus on growing their businesses,” he pointed out.
One of Power Build’s most successful innovations is the HoneyPot – a Power Build portal, tailored to streamline the overwhelming flood of industry information into a customised stream aligned with each member’s preferences. “This platform has been a game changer as it has simplified the daily operations of our members and suppliers alike.”
Further, as one of the fastest growing hardware retailers in South Africa, Mohammed said that Power Build has access to suppliers in over 20 categories and 168 sub-categories. “We cater to a diverse range of customers, from professional contractors and property developers to DIY enthusiasts. Power Build is more than a facilitator of transactions, we are partners in growth, we empower each member with the knowledge, tools and insights needed to thrive in today’s competitive market. Our team is guided by a set of core values that underpin our current service delivery to all stakeholders. These values are respect, integrity, excellence, gratitude, honesty, and humility.”
Reflecting on the past year, Mohammed highlighted several significant milestones for Power Build. These included a substantial increase in membership, expanded supplier partnerships and the introduction of dedicated internal sales support to enhance member benefits. Rebates to members have grown by over 50% compared to the previous year. Additionally the partnership with AutObarn has strengthened the
automotive product offering. Power Build also hosted a successful charity golf day, doubling the proceeds from the previous year with the funds going to New Hope, a school for children with special needs.
“In our years of engagement with independent entrepreneurs, we have seen that many businesses fail due to the lack of succession planning. It is essential to not only have a plan but to review it regularly to ensure its relevance in a changing environment. Furthermore, as we embrace this new digital era, it is crucial to utilise digital platforms such as HoneyPot more extensively. The customer of tomorrow is better connected, informed, and will be looking for value beyond price. Independent retailers excel in offering deeper customer insights, advice, and exceptional customer service,” Mohammed emphasised.
He closed off by thanking the suppliers and members for their support and emphasised Power Build’s commitment to building on its successes and creating lasting value for all.
Rupert Jacobs, managing director of Ruwag, also addressed the audience. He shared the company’s vision and commended the resilience of the businesses in attendance, highlighting the challenging economic climate of early 2024. Ruwag sponsored the first evening, which featured a captivating performance by mentalist Brendon Peel, adding a touch of intrigue and excitement to the event. Prizes were awarded for Putt-Putt and Ten-Pin Bowling, while five lucky guests received Ruwag-sponsored gifts after finding hidden bee symbols on special placemats.
Trade Show extravaganza
Day two opened with a Trade Show, sponsored by Promac Paints and Stevensons Paint. Attendees were welcomed with one- day-only specials and an interactive Plascon rotating photo booth, accompanied by the WowWe created Honeypot mascot, Izma. The Trade Show was extremely busy as suppliers showcased their latest products and innovations making it a must-visit event for all Power Build members.
Arabian nights
As the evening approached, the festival took on a mesmerising Arabian/Aladdin theme, sponsored by Ingco Tools. Guests were welcomed into an opulent setting of breathtaking décor, complete with stunning outfits and performances by fire dancers and belly dancers.
Each guest received an Ingco 24-piece wrench and screwdriver set, and once again, five lucky guests found a bee on their placemat, winning a coveted cordless drill.
Angelo Angelos, MD of Ingco delivered an inspiring address highlighting the need to reduce the volume of social media ‘noise’. He emphasised the cost-effectiveness of supporting trade shows, where companies can engage meaningfully with customers and showcase their full range of products.
AWARDS CEREMONY
The much -anticipated Awards ceremony was the highlight of the evening. Andre Pretorius, GM of Operations was the host.
BUILDING AND PLUMBING
SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR:
- 3rd Place: Stewarts and Lloyds
- 2nd Place: Sephaku Cement
- 1st Place: Africa Tanks.
DIY SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR:
- 3rd Place: Promac Paints
- Joint 2nd Place: Vermont Sales and GlueDevil
- 1st Place: Ingco.
BEST STAND:
- 3rd Place: Ruwag
- 2nd Place: Ingco
- 1st Place: Promac Paints.
THRILLING HIGHLIGHT
In a thrilling highlight of the evening, attendees witnessed the draw for the highly coveted bakkie giveaway. To qualify, stores needed to show growth of over 25% compared to the previous year. From the 30 qualifying stores, 10 finalists were selected: Easy Build Hardware, Paint Tin, Handi in DIY, Powerbuild Randfontein, Anchorville Hardware, Ridge Hardware, Ziyabuya Hardware, LCN Plumbing Supplies, Jabula Hardware Mayville, and Powerbuild Vaalwater. Each finalist selected a container, with those containing a bee winning a bakkie. Congratulations to Jabula Hardware and Easy Build Kimberly on driving away in style! The other finalists didn’t leave empty-handed either, each winning a valuable trailer.
Closing and acknowledgments
Power Build managing director Armand Feldtmann concluded the event with heartfelt thanks, dedicating the evening to his late friend and mentor, Henry Oberholser. He expressed gratitude to Vermont Sales and GlueDevil for the sports day, Ruwag for the neon evening, Promac and Stevensons for the trade show, and Ingco for the Arabian/Aladdin evening. Special thanks to the whole Power Build Marketing Team and especially Bronwin Templeman for their outstanding contributions. The evening wrapped up with a sensational performance by the Ruhan Du Toit Band, whose electrifying music had everyone on the dance floor, celebrating the success of another phenomenal Power Festival. With its unique blend of fun, business, and camaraderie, the Power Festival 2024 truly raised the bar and left attendees eagerly anticipating next year’s event.
