|
|
Mike Appel and Gatto Limited (“ the Company” ) is the accredited franchise holder of General Motors and distributes Isuzu, Opel and Suzuki motor vehicles in Malawi. It will soon be marketing Chevrolet and GM American products.It also operates an Automotive engineering workshop which reconditions automotive engines. It has two distribution outlets at present, one from its Head Office in Limbe and the other from its branch in the capital city of Lilongwe.
The Company’s humble origins go back to the early 1930’s when it operated as Gatto’s Garage in Limbe only as an automobile workshop dealing with servicing of vehicles, panel beating, general repair and maintenance of vehicles. Due to its commited service to it’s clientel and excellent workmanship, the company the privelige of repairing and maintaining the only three Rolls Royces in Malawi ( including one belonging to the Head of State). Consequently in early 1958 a merger took place with Mike Appel Organisation of Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia), whereunder the latter acquired 38% of the Company’s Shareholding. Mike Appel Organisation traditionally specialised in Automotive reconditioning and precision engineering and had its operations in South Africa, the then Southern Rhodesia and the then Northern Rhodesia. It wanted to expand its business into Malawi and hence it acquired equity in the Company. The Company was incorporated under its present name as a corporate entity with limited liability.
The Company went into the automotive engineering business and also continued its operations as a motor vehicle garage workshop. In 1970 it acquired the Franchise for Isuzu motor vehicles from Isuzu Motors Limited of Japan and introduced Isuzu trucks for the first time in Malawi. These trucks were assembled by the Company from SKD kits which the Company continued to so assemble until 1992.
In 1970’s the whole motor vehicle market then was dominated by British made motor vehicles and as such the truck market was dominated by Bedford, Ford and Leyland. In those years, Japanese trucks were relatively unknown but through the Company’s strong marketing strategy coupled with the reliability of Isuzu vehicles, Isuzu had made its mark on the Malawi market and became the top most selling truck in 1979.
Our Chairman, Abdul Rashid Osman, S.C. , Barrister - at - Law, joined the Board of the Company as its Chairman in 1975 and held 20% of the shareholding of the Company. In 1969, A.R.Osman had already founded Lotus Motors Limited, franchise holders of Mazda vehicles in Malawi, which company had succeeded to secure its place as a major franchise. It was, therefore, natural that under his control, the emphasis of the Company’s operations moved to aggresive marketing of Isuzu vehicles. In 1976, the channel of supply of Isuzu vehicles changed from General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation to Itochu Corporation of Japan. The Company was able to secure open account finance facilities from Itochu which resulted in significant expansion in the penetration of Isuzu vehicles into Malawi market.
In January 1986, A.R.Osman, S.C. and his family members acquired the shareholding previously held by Mike Appel Organisation and other shareholders and they continue to own the shareholding of the Company.
For most of the past 19 years, the Company continues to maintain its position as the leading truck distributor in Malawi. The Company over a period of time also introduced light commercial and Four Wheel Drive Utility vehicles. Owing to import controls , which were then prevalent, relatively small quantities thereof could be imported.
In 1994, when sanctions were lifted against South Africa, Isuzu Motors Japan introduced a new distribution policy whereby Delta Motor Corporation of South Africa ( previously General Motors ) was given the marketing rights for Isuzu vehicles in Southern Africa. Delta Motor Corporation assemble Isuzu, Opel and Suzuki vehicles in South Africa. In the same year, it was also auspicious that the Malawi Government, in compliance with IMF and World Bank conditions, introduced liberalisation policies whereby import restrictions were removed. This allowed the Company to import the full range of Isuzu Vehicles manufactured by Delta Motor Corporation ( R S A ) and some models from Isuzu Motors Limited of Japan and General Motors Kenya. At the end of 1997, Isuzu one ton Pick ups became the third largest seller in the Malawi market.
The association with Delta Motor Corporation resulted in the Company’s appointment as distributor of the limited range of Opel vehicles in 1995 and one model of Suzuki vehicles in late 1996. The Company is the third largest motor distributor in Malawi and currently enjoys 12% of the overall motor vehicle market share.
The Company purchased new premises on Churchill Road in Limbe to accommodate recent expansion of its activities and to further upgrade its existing services. The workshop and spares departments will be moving to these premises at the end of July 1998 and plans are currently being prepared for a new showroom and administration block to be newly built on these premises. These actions will create a more efficient organisation, and lead to improved customer satisfaction, more effective marketing and a revitalised distributorship for its franchises.
In 1987, Imtiaz Ahmed Osman, a Chartered Accountant, and a member of the Osman family was recruited from Coopers and Lybrand to head another Osman family owned company, namely, Valbar Limited, franchise holders of Honda motor vehicles, motor cycles and power products in Malawi. In 1990 Imtiaz Osman was appointed General Manager of the Company. The total workforce of approximately 135 employees is an expression of confidence that A.R. Osman, S.C. has for the future of the Company. A number of employees have been with the Company for over twenty five years and the majority of its employees having anything between ten to fifteen years service to the Company.
On June 8th 1998, the company acquired the business undertaking of Halls Cars from Lonrho Motors (Malawi) Limited. Halls Cars have been the distributors of Hyundai motor vehicles from Korea and Daihatsu motor vehicles from Japan. The Company was also the Sole Agent for Landrover vehicles in Malawi for over 50 years, but since the purchase of Landrover UK by BMW and the refusal of the previous owners to market BMW in Malawi the franchise was removed. But due to the long association with Landrover, we are directly importing all Landrover spares direct from Landrover’s official OEM suppliers and continue to service and supply spares to all Government Departments such as MDF, MRA, Statehouse etc. The Company is committed in its intention to secure these franchises subject to reaching agreements with the respective manufacturers and thereby continue to service Hyundai and Daihatsu vehicles in the Malawi market. As a measure to ensure continued quality customer services, the Company has re-employed the services of the Halls staff of 112 employees and will continue to operate from Halls’ current premises both in Blantyre and Lilongwe.
National Bank of Malawi of P O Box 945, Blantyre, Malawi have continued to be the Company’s sole bankers since its inception in 1958.
The Company’s humble origins go back to the early 1930’s when it operated as Gatto’s Garage in Limbe only as an automobile workshop dealing with servicing of vehicles, panel beating, general repair and maintenance of vehicles. Due to its commited service to it’s clientel and excellent workmanship, the company the privelige of repairing and maintaining the only three Rolls Royces in Malawi ( including one belonging to the Head of State). Consequently in early 1958 a merger took place with Mike Appel Organisation of Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia), whereunder the latter acquired 38% of the Company’s Shareholding. Mike Appel Organisation traditionally specialised in Automotive reconditioning and precision engineering and had its operations in South Africa, the then Southern Rhodesia and the then Northern Rhodesia. It wanted to expand its business into Malawi and hence it acquired equity in the Company. The Company was incorporated under its present name as a corporate entity with limited liability.
The Company went into the automotive engineering business and also continued its operations as a motor vehicle garage workshop. In 1970 it acquired the Franchise for Isuzu motor vehicles from Isuzu Motors Limited of Japan and introduced Isuzu trucks for the first time in Malawi. These trucks were assembled by the Company from SKD kits which the Company continued to so assemble until 1992.
In 1970’s the whole motor vehicle market then was dominated by British made motor vehicles and as such the truck market was dominated by Bedford, Ford and Leyland. In those years, Japanese trucks were relatively unknown but through the Company’s strong marketing strategy coupled with the reliability of Isuzu vehicles, Isuzu had made its mark on the Malawi market and became the top most selling truck in 1979.
Our Chairman, Abdul Rashid Osman, S.C. , Barrister - at - Law, joined the Board of the Company as its Chairman in 1975 and held 20% of the shareholding of the Company. In 1969, A.R.Osman had already founded Lotus Motors Limited, franchise holders of Mazda vehicles in Malawi, which company had succeeded to secure its place as a major franchise. It was, therefore, natural that under his control, the emphasis of the Company’s operations moved to aggresive marketing of Isuzu vehicles. In 1976, the channel of supply of Isuzu vehicles changed from General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation to Itochu Corporation of Japan. The Company was able to secure open account finance facilities from Itochu which resulted in significant expansion in the penetration of Isuzu vehicles into Malawi market.
In January 1986, A.R.Osman, S.C. and his family members acquired the shareholding previously held by Mike Appel Organisation and other shareholders and they continue to own the shareholding of the Company.
For most of the past 19 years, the Company continues to maintain its position as the leading truck distributor in Malawi. The Company over a period of time also introduced light commercial and Four Wheel Drive Utility vehicles. Owing to import controls , which were then prevalent, relatively small quantities thereof could be imported.
In 1994, when sanctions were lifted against South Africa, Isuzu Motors Japan introduced a new distribution policy whereby Delta Motor Corporation of South Africa ( previously General Motors ) was given the marketing rights for Isuzu vehicles in Southern Africa. Delta Motor Corporation assemble Isuzu, Opel and Suzuki vehicles in South Africa. In the same year, it was also auspicious that the Malawi Government, in compliance with IMF and World Bank conditions, introduced liberalisation policies whereby import restrictions were removed. This allowed the Company to import the full range of Isuzu Vehicles manufactured by Delta Motor Corporation ( R S A ) and some models from Isuzu Motors Limited of Japan and General Motors Kenya. At the end of 1997, Isuzu one ton Pick ups became the third largest seller in the Malawi market.
The association with Delta Motor Corporation resulted in the Company’s appointment as distributor of the limited range of Opel vehicles in 1995 and one model of Suzuki vehicles in late 1996. The Company is the third largest motor distributor in Malawi and currently enjoys 12% of the overall motor vehicle market share.
The Company purchased new premises on Churchill Road in Limbe to accommodate recent expansion of its activities and to further upgrade its existing services. The workshop and spares departments will be moving to these premises at the end of July 1998 and plans are currently being prepared for a new showroom and administration block to be newly built on these premises. These actions will create a more efficient organisation, and lead to improved customer satisfaction, more effective marketing and a revitalised distributorship for its franchises.
In 1987, Imtiaz Ahmed Osman, a Chartered Accountant, and a member of the Osman family was recruited from Coopers and Lybrand to head another Osman family owned company, namely, Valbar Limited, franchise holders of Honda motor vehicles, motor cycles and power products in Malawi. In 1990 Imtiaz Osman was appointed General Manager of the Company. The total workforce of approximately 135 employees is an expression of confidence that A.R. Osman, S.C. has for the future of the Company. A number of employees have been with the Company for over twenty five years and the majority of its employees having anything between ten to fifteen years service to the Company.
On June 8th 1998, the company acquired the business undertaking of Halls Cars from Lonrho Motors (Malawi) Limited. Halls Cars have been the distributors of Hyundai motor vehicles from Korea and Daihatsu motor vehicles from Japan. The Company was also the Sole Agent for Landrover vehicles in Malawi for over 50 years, but since the purchase of Landrover UK by BMW and the refusal of the previous owners to market BMW in Malawi the franchise was removed. But due to the long association with Landrover, we are directly importing all Landrover spares direct from Landrover’s official OEM suppliers and continue to service and supply spares to all Government Departments such as MDF, MRA, Statehouse etc. The Company is committed in its intention to secure these franchises subject to reaching agreements with the respective manufacturers and thereby continue to service Hyundai and Daihatsu vehicles in the Malawi market. As a measure to ensure continued quality customer services, the Company has re-employed the services of the Halls staff of 112 employees and will continue to operate from Halls’ current premises both in Blantyre and Lilongwe.
National Bank of Malawi of P O Box 945, Blantyre, Malawi have continued to be the Company’s sole bankers since its inception in 1958.
© 2007 Mike Appel & Gatto Limited
site by Globe Internet Limited
site by Globe Internet Limited