Dunlop already has a network of more than 80 Dunlop Container stores around the country, which employ around 400 people.
- Dunlop started his shop container project in 2012 to drive sustainable township entrepreneurship, create job opportunities, and promote road safety.
- The company is now expanding the program.
- Successful candidates will take ownership of a custom-made, fully fitted 12-meter container, complete with equipment, retail software, startup stock, and point-of-sale materials. sale.
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Tire manufacturer Dunlop is expanding a container store project it started in 2012 to empower young entrepreneurs to start their own tire fitting businesses.
It is now running the program nationwide, with a particular focus on rural and township areas, according to Itumeleng Mojafi, manager of the enterprise development group of Sumitomo Rubber SA (SRSA) listed in Japan.
The company will provide suitable candidates with start-up support to run their own tire fitting centers in their local communities.
Shortlisted candidates for the “Dunlop Business in a Box” concept will be connected to the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) to apply for funding.
Successful candidates will take ownership of a custom-made, fully rigged 12-meter container, complete with equipment, retail software, starter stock, and point-of-sale materials. sale. The container includes a reception area, a workshop with tire changing equipment, and a storage facility stocked with tires to enable trading from the first day of business.
There is already a network of more than 80 Dunlop Container stores across the country, employing around 400 people.
Lubin Ozoux, CEO of SRSA, says that the Dunlop Container project was started in 2012 with three main goals: to drive sustainable township entrepreneurship, create job opportunities, and promote road safety.
“The Dunlop Container project has enabled informal tire businesses, which often trade from roadside and makeshift facilities, to be transformed into proper Dunlop-branded fitting centres, where they can offer tires and high quality and affordable tire services to their communities, while creating jobs,” says Ozoux.
According to Mojafi, the youth program was well received.
“We are getting support and encouragement from the government and the private sector. So far, we have not yet finalized any application for young people, but we are receiving an average of more than 20 inquiries a day,” says Mojafi. “The ideal candidate is someone with an entrepreneurial background, willingness and ability to learn, and a great business attitude.”
The young entrepreneurs will be trained in one of SRSA’s technical, training and retail centers to acquire the necessary business skills. They will also receive legal and regulatory support, marketing support, and business mentoring.
Victor Mtshali, who owns Dunlop Container in Mondlo town in the Zululand District Municipality, says it makes it easier to own a business when a strong brand supports you.
Applications for the Dunlop Business in a Box program can be made online. Applicants must be South African and 18 years of age or older. The deadline for applications to be submitted is 30 June 2023. This is to give applicants enough time to meet the minimum requirements, says Mojafi.
