CCBSA helps LDPs to become third-party distributors of its products, ensuring smoother delivery and customer service and creating employment opportunities, mainly in townships. It now has 149 LDPs. The programme is a key part of the company's growth strategy and connects it to smaller customers in previously underserved markets.
A growing number of woman and youth entrepreneurs are seizing the chance to own a business and 90% of local distribution partners are from previously disadvantaged groups.
CCBSA held its annual two-day local distribution partner lekgotla at the Premier Hotel near OR Tambo on 24-25 August 2017, where senior leadership in the business mingled with small business owners under the banner ‘Stronger Together’ to discuss strategy, new products and packaging and the regulatory and legal environment.
Suppliers in the Coca-Cola system, including vehicle manufacturers, truck rental companies, insurance and cash-risk management companies, were also on hand to present their products and service offerings and interact with LDPs. These opportunities are in the form of business ownership as well as work for drivers, crew and warehouse staff from these communities.
The annual lekgotla is an opportunity to share new initiatives, with inputs and comments from the owners on how these will affect and grow their businesses. It is also a chance to celebrate the successes of the programme and includes an awards evening using CCBSA success criteria for all local distribution partner sites, with great prizes for the owners.
