B5 Plus wants government to make local goods more competitive…receives Superbrands award
The government has been made to make local goods more competitive, and ensure that there was sufficient power for industries.
The Chairman of B5 Plus Limited, leading manufacturers of iron and steel products, Mr Mukesh Thakwani, who made the call said the growth of local industries, he admitted, would help boost the economy and create more jobs, hence the need to create a conducive environment is created for businesses to thrive.
He was speaking at a ceremony where the company was honoured for being the most preferred brand in the iron and steel industry for the year 2018 and 2019.
The recognition came after a three-month market research conducted by Superbrands, an international organisation which pays tribute to the “strongest and most valuable brands” through its publications and national marketing programmes.
The “Superbrands” status, conferred on B5 Plus Limited, implied that consumers and suppliers are buying the best brand in the steel and iron product manufacturing category.
The organisation said the award followed a “strict selection process” and also considered various factors, such as product quality, durability, among others.
Mr. Thakwani, receiving the award on Tuesday in Accra, attributed the achievement to quality product and service delivery over the years.
He said the company, with its wide distribution network, will continue to deliver “quality goods at competitive rates at the doorsteps of Ghanaians”.
”We will keep improving upon our products, and become the one-stop-shop for steel and iron products in West Africa. We will expand to other parts of the country and create more jobs,” he added.
Mr Thakwani further noted that the company was ready to inaugurate “West Africa’s biggest fabrication plant in a couple of days”.
Fatima Alimohamed, Consultant for Africa Brand Warrior, explained that the research, conducted in 2018, was to identify the key factors that influenced the choice of a particular brand by Ghanaian consumers.
She said participation in the award was mainly by invitation, adding that the research focused on a few local companies in order to enhance scrutiny and credibility.
“We did not award more than 10 companies, our role is to award brands that stand out and conform to various production standards,”Ms Alimohamed stressed.
“The outcome of the survey indicates that the B5 brand is on the mind of consumers, and they stood out in their category. Consumers now dictate what they want so the pressure will be on B5 to maintain this position,” she added.
The consultant therefore urged non-performing brands to admit and rectify their mistakes to regain consumer confidence.
Ms Alimohamed also called on other organisations to make their selection process and award schemes more transparent.
Superbrands operates in about 88 countries, and works with approximately 20,000 major brands.
By Ernest Nutsugah