BY TAKEMORE MAZURUSE ONE of Winston Churchill’s famous quotes goes; “We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us.” In the fast evolving world where status and class is also determined by one’s dwelling place, many are investing in quality homes but these come at a cost and it takes due diligence for one to build one without losing an arm and a leg.
Building materials play an important role in any construction project and it is no surprise that the hardware business has become a major stakeholder in the construction industry and housing for all drive by policy makers and other private players.
One such player in the construction industry is Preeminence Hardware which was founded by enterprising businessman and experienced procurement and logistics practitioner Nyasha Chikosi.
With over 15 years’ experience in the procurement industry working with brands like PG where he rose to the Group Procurement Manager before leaving as well as working for other brands like Kiglon Bird Trading, Chikosi believes he has seen it all and has the requisite experience to provide a service that answers to the needs of the market through his Preeminence Hardware brand.
“I worked for some of the biggest brands like PG where I rose from procurement officer to Group Procurement Manager before resigning to start Preeminence Hardware in 2021.
Before joining PG in 2011, I worked at Kiglon Bird Trading which was into selling building materials. The acquired experience is invaluable and this has made Preeminence Hardware a unique and well-structured hardware business player,” Chikosi said.
Chikosi, who is not new to enterprise having started the art of selling in high school where he would sell vegetables and other home-made confectionery, believes he has the willpower and experience to make it in the cut throat hardware industry.
“Besides being exposed to selling at a young age in high school, I have over 15 years of experience in the building materials and hardware industry.
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Opening Preeminence hardware was just a manifestation of the entrepreneurship spirit that was in me as I was growing up. I am geared for this and I believe we are building a brand that will conquer Zimbabwe and the region through quality service,” he said.
According to it’s business scope, Preeminence Hardware is premised on supplying sustainable building and hardware material from ground till completion of the building.
“We are a trusted one-stop supplier of all building and hardware materials from commencement to completion of all building projects and our workmanship is second to none.
We want to be the world’s most customer centric company of sustainable top-class building and hardware materials,” Chikosi said.
Chikosi said the brand was born out of a desire to plug existing gaps in the hardware and industry.
“The reason why we started is we saw that there was a gap in the market in terms of promoting infrastructure development and the call by government and other real estate players to ensure a roof over every head.
Every person needs to build and we saw an opportunity to come in and help our clients to build homes with less challenges and hassle,” he said.
Preeminence Hardware services border on quality and affordable prices complete with delivery facilities to minimize cost and ensure efficiency for the customer.
While they sell all building and hardware related materials they also boast of in-house qualified artisans like plumbers, carpenters, painters electricians.
“Besides taking care of all the building and hardware needs of the client, we also offer expert advice to various individuals and companies.
Our workmanship and customer care is second to none and we are happy to have opened a sales office at the Harare Showgrounds after starting off in the Mabvuku area where we serviced local clientele as well as those in new suburbs like Manresa,” Chikosi said.
Preeminence Hardware believes their quality and affordable service business model feeds into existing housing for all programmes by government and other development players.
“Our plan as Preeminence is to play a key role in feeding into the existing housing for all drive by government and other private players through supplying quality affordable materials,” Chikosi said.
“We want all Zimbabweans to be able to build with ease through our affordable hardware products and services.
“We are planning to build strategic alliances with various stakeholders such as suppliers, customers, government ministries, churches, NGOs, farmers, schools, universities, construction companies among others.”
The company which recently engaged rising Afro-pop musician Stacy who is daughter to Sungura musician Alick Macheso as its brand ambassador also told Standard Style that they have amazing promotions coming this winter.
“We are embarking on a winter promotion covering IBR roofing sheets, chromadek sheets, Q tiles, valley gutters, doors, and other building related items.
We have since engaged a brand ambassador to help us with pushing this campaign so that more people can enjoy the benefits. We are going all out and we believe the entire nation will enjoy our service,” Chikosi said.
The fast growing brand also invests in corporate social responsibility and they are part of the annual brands that care initiative where they donate to vulnerable groups.
“We strongly believe in giving back to the community and we always aspire to play our part in making life better for the next person.
Besides the usual donations, we are also part of the annual brands that care Initiative whereby various brands come together every December and donate to an identified charity. This is our way of giving back to the community and demonstrating that we care,” Chikosi said.
Chikosi, who has seen the highs and lows of business in his entire career, also shared some experience and advice saying challenges were part of the journey but a committed entrepreneur must stay on course.
“Every entrepreneur faces days when they feel like quitting but we must always stand tall and aspire to give the best and be the best.
The success of every business is centred on a desire to endure the ups and downs of entrepreneurship,” he said.
Chikosi also thanked customers for the support and feedback over time.
“To our customers your feedback is very important to us. Without customers Preeminence Hardware would not exist,” he said.
“We appreciate your confidence in us and continued support as we continue growing the brand and improving our services.”
