Owner-driver programme a winning recipe

Ben Mvemve in his his 12 pallet truck

Mvemve is an owner-driver contracted to the South African Breweries Ltd (SAB) in Durban and operates three vehicles with a staff of 12 people, delivering to a variety of outlets within an 80km radius of the city.

He is hoping for the opportunity to expand his fleet to four - the maximum for an SAB owner-driver company.

Starting out

Mvemve's success story begins way back in 1975, when he started work as a chauffeur at SAB and continued in that position for five years, during which time he drove for five different marketing managers.

“I loved working with Stan Lightening and driving him around, but the time came when the company decided marketing managers had to drive themselves! So it was then they offered to train me to be a truck driver ... I took the opportunity with both hands,” says Mvemve.

He was trained to drive 24-pallet trucks from SAB's Prospecton premises to the various brewery depots, starting work each day at 6am. “I never feel tired. I learned from Stan Lightening that to be successful at work, you must always be early.”

Big break

Ben Mvemve and team - back row: Dwain Bailey (Distribution Controller), Edwin Walker (Distribution Manager), Ben Mvemve (Distribution Operator), Mike Wasling (Depot Manager) and Welcome Ndlovu; front row: Simphiwe Nchunu Vishu Govender (Load Planner) and Douglas Mvemve

In 1990 Mvemve got a well-deserved break, when he was given the opportunity to become an owner-driver. He bought a 10-pallet truck and started operating out of the Springfield Depot.

“During my time as a chauffeur I learned where all the small outlets were situated, so as an owner-driver I used that experience to do deliveries speedily,” says Mvemve.

Hard work paid handsome dividends and by 1994 he was able to buy a second vehicle - a 28-pallet truck which he used for distribution between Prospecton and the Isipingo Depot.

Five years later, he sold both the trucks and bought a 12-pallet vehicle, moving up the ladder to become a distribution operator working out of the Springfield Depot. The 12-pallet truck was far more manoeuvrable, enabling him to get to smaller outlets.

In 2003 he bought a second 12-pallet truck and a third one last year, progressing to where he is today.

Outstanding work and achievement over the years has seen Mvemve winning SAB's Owner-Driver of the Quarter award four times.

Getting an early start

He says the secret to his success is to arrive at work at 6am every day, as well as confirming deliveries with customers the day before.

“Most outlets only open at 9am, but I know there are others who like me are at work early, so when my drivers leave the depot at 6am they head directly for the first delivery. Vehicles return to the depot for restocking around midday and end the day between 6pm and 7pm.”

“I know which outlets will accept early deliveries, but my routes are all pre-planned. I confirm delivery times the day before to cut down on wasted time. We are paid per drop and also on the volume of sales - so saving time is essential.”

Besides their salary, his staff enjoy a share of the profits at the end of each month. This motivates them to work hard. “I need the crew to be quick, and so I look after them. New staff are trained to load trolleys and stack the vehicle.”

Drive into the future

Mvemve is married with two sons. His eldest, Brian, is working as a truck driver but there are plans to bring him into the business in 2009 and train him to take over the reins when his father retires.

“I always knew I had it in me to a successful owner-driver ... I knew if others could do it, then so could I,” says Mvemve.

SAB communications manager Janine van Stolk says Mvemve's story was an example of how SAB's Owner-Driver programme turned employees into successful entrepreneurs - but it was certainly not an isolated one.

“Around 65% of our deliveries are done by owner-drivers, many of whom have - like Ben - gone on to own more than one truck. This programme has time and again proven to be a winning recipe for all concerned: drivers are empowered, they create sustainable jobs for many others, and SAB gets its products to market. We are exceptionally proud of success stories like Ben's,” says Van Stolk.