The English translation for the Sotho words “Reya Pele” is “We are going forward”. In no doubt, it perfectly articulates remarkable progress which Reya Pele Bricks Limited has made in the past three years.
The management of Reya Pele Bricks had to make the tough decision of letting go of a partnership with a big industry player to go forward, after realising that it was turning out to be more of a liability than an asset. And it has proved to be the best decision to have been taken. It is starting to bear fruit.
Progressively, after the Post-2010 World Cup depression, the company is capturing a sizeable portion of the concrete market in Vereeniging and surrounding areas, Transform SA Online is told.
Most importantly, Reya Pele’s turnaround substantiates that black firms can stand on their own feet without ‘strategic’ alliances with big firms.
100% black-owned, Reya Pele Bricks Limited is a concrete blocks manufacturing factory situated at Redan just off the Route 59 freeway to Vereeniging or to Johannesburg. It specialises in the manufacturing and selling of concrete stock bricks, concrete maxi brick interlock pavers and bevel pavers. The products can be used for the following purposes: Townhouses, Cluster homes and flats, Multiple storey urban living centres, Factories and workshops and Wall fencing.
“In general our products offer the following advantages: Cost effective, excellent structural integrity, high quality, reduced erection time and low labour costs, above and beyond improved sound and heat insulation (hollow blocks). While price is a major market decision-driver, usually, superior quality and service usually ensure a loyal market,” says Reya Pele Bricks Managing Director, Mr. K.E. Mathebula.
Through synergy with independent transporters for the transportation of raw materials and deliveries, the company provides a comprehensive service which includes deliveries.
Reya Pele has addressed the production capacity constraints which it experienced during the first months of operating as a standalone entity. Now it can produce huge product volumes according to customer requirements.
Further, the closure of competitors, who have struggled to cope with escalating manufacturing and transport costs has also been Reya Pele’s boon. As a result, the company is better positioned to capture a sizeable portion of the concrete manufactured products market.
Over and above everything, Mr. Mathebula believes what gives the edge over competitors are the technical competence and dedication of the staff, ease accessible to the market and raw materials as well as synergy with stakeholders.
In spite of an economic downturn, a number of developments give Reya Pele optimism. Most importantly, rapidly growing market due to government infrastructure development e.g. Savannah city, and Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Budget for housing developments in Gauteng.In addition, there is huge potential for the business’ future expansion into new areas.
Reya Pele aims to become a leading supplier of concrete products to various industries in Gauteng and some of the country’s provinces.
