Ramco Group Chief Executive Officer Amit Patel and Barron South Africa Group Chief Executive Officer Steve Isaacson during the signing of the new strategic partnership agreement between Ramco Printing – Promo Division and Africa’s largest and leading corporate and promotional brand, Barron at the Ramco Group offices in Nairobi. [Photo/Courtesy]
Africa’s largest and leading corporate and promotional brand, Barron has entered into a strategic partnership with Ramco Printing-Promo Division, in a deal that is set to give the company a stronger grip in the East African region, as a growing private sector drives demand for promotional and branding materials based on quality priced right.
The partnership will see Ramco Printing which enjoys a solid position in the region for over 20 years distribute an array of Barron promotional materials to all sectors of the market with a special focus on trade and B2B.
Ramco Printing is recognized as one of East Africa’s largest print companies offering off-set and digital print as well as packaging and promotional items. In 2016, the company further invested in a diary making unit which is the first of its kind in East Africa.
The Barron partnership ties with Ramco Printing’s business model that is anchored on co-operation with likeminded players keen on providing innovative solutions and responding to growing market demands for quality and consistency.
“This partnership is landmark for us at Ramco Printing and echoes with our business philosophy of fostering long term, mutually beneficial partnerships. With Barron’s cutting edge promotional materials and our strong network in East Africa we look forward to tapping into more businesses and transforming promotion and branding as we know it,” said Amit Patel, the CEO of RAMCO Group.
Voted as one of the top 100 mid-sized companies and a super brand in Kenya, Ramco Printing prides itself in having been in business for over 20 years, with German state-of-the-art production facilities in Nairobi exceeding over 145,000 sq. ft. From the Heidelberg B1 Size 8 Colors press coupled with renowned GMG color management software to in-house high-quality finishing processes just to mention a few. In addition to that the company employs more than 400 people.
We have inherited a strong background from our founder, RAMCO GROUP. With an annual turnover exceeding USD 275 million and operations spread across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda, RAMCO GROUP has positioned itself as a leader in the region.
With over 25 years of empowering Africa’s Businesses Barron is a BRAND-ABLE™ Solutions Business, offering a wide variety of canvasses and solutions that support and build brands. Barron’s extensive range holds a world of possibilities across a number of promotional marketing categories, including apparel, workwear, chef wear, sportswear, headwear, gifts, bags and display items.
The Barron head office is located in Johannesburg, along with two bulk distribution centers and world-class facilities. Barron has six branches across South Africa, as well as three international branches which gives any business a head-start to industry’s best practice.
“We have been looking to make ventures in the East African region as we seek to grow our African footprint. With a growing SME and private sector in East Africa expressing an insatiable demand for promotional and branding materials to reach out to their customers, we saw a gap that we have sought to fill through some of the most innovative platforms. After intensive market research, we chose Ramco Printing as our local distribution partner due to the company’s strong network base across East Africa and its unique business model,” said Steven Isaacson the Chief executive of Kevro under which Barron falls.
The partnership is timely, coming at a time when companies in East Africa are looking at the most innovative and cost-effective ways to reach customers effectively with promotion and branding proving key as competition grows. With these companies now enjoying cross border clients and businesses, international best practices in branding and promotion are at the heart of their branding strategy. “Barron therefore brings to the East African region years of expertise in the promotional market having worked with some of the most reputable institutions in the continent. It is a win for the region.” said Mr. Patel.
The Barron head office is located in Johannesburg, along with two bulk distribution centres and world-class facilities. Barron has six branches across South Africa, as well as three international branches which gives any business a head start to industry’s best practice.
The two companies project a sales growth of Sh.60 million by year end, which will grow to Sh.160 million by the end of 2018.