AREA FOCUS
Renewal
in Bloem
Bloemfontein has been one of the largest retail branches and fuel stations in our stable
for the past 27 years and its upgrading is something to write home about. Literally!
By Aubrey Kruger
Senwes Scenario Editor
T
he branch, which officially
opened its doors in Bloemfontein
on 19 June 1992, underwent a
welcome change recently. So,
if you haven't been in Bloemfontein for a
while, it is time to pay the branch a visit.
Senwes Scenario last visited this gem
in 2016 and various improvements have
been made since then.
FILL UP PLEASE
The fuel station at our Hinterland branch
has new pumps, a wider forecourt, where
up to six vehicles can be attended to at
once, a wider access lane, upgraded and
new wireless pump units and you can get
95 octane unleaded fuel.
There is new generation electronic
tyre inflators, where the desired pressure
26
can be keyed in, new stainless steel
service bins, upgraded LED lighting
and a smaller CO 2 footprint, as well as a
vapour recovery system on the vent stack
to reduce evaporation and improve air
quality.
UPGRADED OK EXPRESS
The convenience store was also
upgraded in the process to a fully
equipped OK Express.
Branch manager Gerhard Odendaal
says that business literally doubled due to
the busy kitchen, where two chefs prepare
excellent take-aways and coffee. Lotto
tickets, airtime and prepaid electricity
can also be bought in the shop - you will
even find headache pills and vegetables.
The restrooms are now accessible to
handicapped people and a new kiosk was
erected for the fuel attendants. Everything
is available 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, as in the past.
SENWES SCENARIO | MIND-SHIFT 2019
PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT
A busy branch manager must know how
to delegate and with 105 members of
staff, Gerhard can definitely do it. Gerhard
will be getting an assistant manager in
due course to help manage the improved
shop with 54 staff members, 27 Senwes
Equipment staff members and 24
members of staff at the fuel station.
Gerhard is of the opinion that improved
business flow and happy personnel pave
the way to optimally service the producer
and city customer.
This, together with the annual expo,
Bloemfontein show and bimonthly visit by
the blood bank, bring more feet to this
special branch.
RETAIL BRANCH NEXT IN LINE
It is not the end yet. The retail branch
is scheduled for further upgrading in
February 2019. So, watch this space.
Good luck with the upgrading!