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- Dunlop started its store container project in 2012 to drive sustainable township entrepreneurship, create job opportunities, and promote road safety.
- The company is now expanding the programme.
- Successful candidates will take ownership of a tailor-made, fully fitted 12-metre container complete with equipment, retail software, startup stock, and point-of-sale material.
- For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page.
Tyre manufacturer Dunlop is expanding a container store project it started in 2012 to empower young entrepreneurs to start their own tyre-fitment businesses.
It is now rolling out the programme nationwide, with a particular focus on rural and township areas, according to Itumeleng Mojafi, enterprise development group manager of Japanese-listed Sumitomo Rubber SA (SRSA).
The company will provide suitable candidates with start-up support to run their tyre fitment centres in their local communities.
Shortlisted candidates for the "Dunlop Business in a Box" concept will be linked up with the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) to apply for funding.
Successful candidates will take ownership of a tailor-made, fully fitted 12-metre container complete with equipment, retail software, start-up stock, and point-of-sale material. The container includes a reception area, a workshop with tyre changing equipment, and a storage facility stocked with tyres to enable trading from the first day of business.
There is already a network of more than 80 Dunlop Container outlets across the country, employing about 400 people.
Lubin Ozoux, CEO of SRSA, says the Dunlop Container project was started in 2012 with three main aims: to drive sustainable township entrepreneurship, create job opportunities, and promote safety on the road.
"The Dunlop Container project has enabled informal tyre businesses, often trading from makeshift, roadside facilities, to be transformed into proper Dunlop-branded fitment centres, where they can offer high quality and affordable tyres and tyre services to their communities, while creating jobs," says Ozoux.
According to Mojafi, the youth programme has been well received.
"We are getting support and encouragement from the government and private sector. Thus far, we haven't finalised any youth applications yet, but are receiving an average of more than 20 enquiries daily," says Mojafi. "The ideal candidate is someone with an entrepreneurship background, willingness and ability to learn, and a great business attitude."
The young entrepreneurs will be trained at one of SRSA's technical, training, and retail centres to gain the necessary business skills. They will also receive legal and regulatory support, marketing support, and business mentoring.
Victor Mtshali, who owns a Dunlop Container in Mondlo township in the Zululand District Municipality, says it makes it easier to own a business when a strong brand backs you.
Applications for the Dunlop Business in a Box programme can be done online. Applicants must be South African and 18 years or older. The deadline for applications to be submitted is 30 June 2023. This is to afford applicants enough time to meet the minimum requirements, says Mojafi.
