Current Edition >> Archives Section >> SMME Information >> April 2002
As nothing motivates like success stories, the following is about a man who opened a small
factory making exhaust systems in Pretoria 50 years ago, but whose business has grown to
currently manufacturing 14 million exhausts plus millions of other automotive products in
31 factories in 24 countries, employing 6 400 people worldwide and having a turnover of
R6,3 billion. The man is Karel Bos, who arrived in Pretoria in 1952 as a 24 year old from
Alkmaar in the Netherlands. With a family history of blacksmiths in Alkmaar since 1923, it
wasn't surprising that son Karel should follow suit in SA. The first leased premises were
soon replaced by a factory in Koedoespoort, Pretoria, which grew larger and larger,
followed by others in and around the city, while the product range expanded from exhaust
systems to vehicle jacks, tow hitches, steel pipes and catalyst converter housings.
Over time, new factories were opened in Uitenhage, Bulawayo and Canada, all basically
manufacturing the same products. In 1968, Bos returned to Europe, opened his largest
factory (70 000m²) in Belgium, took over his father's business in the Netherlands, and
establish Bosal International. Over the years, more factories were opened worldwide. Bosal
is at present of the world's leading automotive component manufacturers and a perfect
example of success driven by specialization and focus. Bosal makes about one of every
five-vehicle exhaust systems worldwide. Karel Bos's factories in SA export on a major
scale and have become even more profitable since the slide in the value of the rand.
Competing in a market where the primary criterium is zero defect, there should be many
lessons to learn from the Bos father and son, but they comment: “Every entrepreneur
must have his own approach, which can often not be copied successfully by others.”
Be as it may, if they can do, others can do it as well !
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