The Sunday News
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
PROTON Bakers has vowed to continue is growth trajectory and expand its footprint in Bulawayo where it is already employing 170 individuals.
The Marondera-headquartered company expanded to Bulawayo in March 2017 and the company has revealed that in the past seven years in the city, they have continued to reach various major milestones.
Two weeks back, the company held a function at a local events venue where it celebrated its seven-year journey in the city.
Proton Bakers chief sales officer, Mr Daniel Chipato said the decision to start deliveries in Bulawayo was not made in the boardroom, but was a reaction to market demands.He said it was an easy task for the Proton leadership led by the directors and management team to set up operations in the city.
“It’s been seven years, and it only seems like yesterday when the Best of the Best Bread landed in the City of Kings and Queens. The footprint into Bulawayo started in March 2017, with just five trucks covering the Central Business District, Cowdray Park, Mzilikazi, Hillside and Nkulumane.
“In no time, the business grew to at least 30 trucks and we are still counting. The rapid growth is centred on the need to satisfy the needs of the market and cover all the selling points at the right time,” said Mr Chipato.
He said delivery consistency is the key success factor, noting that they are now distributing their products in key retail shops and all service stations outlets in the city.
“Proton Bakers employs 1 500 individuals nationally and of those 170 are from Bulawayo. The numbers are set to continue growing as we set the path for an aggressive growth campaign, driven by high market demand for Proton Bakers products. This will certainly help in empowering the Bulawayo community,” said Mr Chipato.
He said local institutions such as Bulawayo Polytechnic have been very pivotal in availing the much-needed skills in their departments and have graduates who came through the ranks and now occupy managerial-level positions at Proton Bakers.
One such graduate who is employed by the company, Mr Tendai Makiwa (32), who was studying Statistics at the National University of Science and Technology when Proton Bakers expanded to Bulawayo, expressed his gratitude towards the company for allowing him to put what he learned to practical effect.
“I am a statistician by profession and I have since grown my profession at Proton Bakers Bulawayo Depot from my attachment up to date. “One of the things I can boast about this brand is that as a statistician I know the bar codes of every product we produce, from our superior white loaf — 6009602270075 to your caramel crunch select cookies 6009602270501,” said Mr Makiwa.
Ms Lodester Munemo (29) also testified on how she has managed to break the gender stereotype and become the first female truck and bus driver at the Bulawayo depot.
“I was first employed as a salesperson then I became the truck driver. I upgraded to be a Class 1 driver and the company recognised that and gave me a bus, which I am currently driving. “It feels good occupying a male-dominated field. I appreciate Proton Bakers for giving me that opportunity,” said Ms Munemo.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Raj Modi was part of the dignitaries who attended the event.
