Throwback Thursday: Senwes Village in the free market system




(adapted from Time cultivates winners. Senwes – a century of agriculture by Elize van Eeden)

A moment in History 

The transformation of Senwes as a non- profit-seeking service organisation into a freee market service organisation into a free-market enterprise that had to pursue profits had the following far-reaching consequences for the company:

  • Reduction and adjustment of the infrastructure.
  • Significant changes in the business model in all the strategic business units (retail, mechanisation and direct inputs).
  • The migration of multi-mechanisation agencies to an exclusive single agency with John Deere.
  • Possible geographic extension to other agri-environments and the establishment of an autonomous and unique departmental trademark (Senwes Village).
  • Design and development of a unique value proposition for Senwes Village.
  • Upgrading of existing shops with the new trademark and a comprehensive value package.
  • Upgrading of existing shops with the new trademark and a comprehensive value package.
  • The development of an aggressive growth strategy.

In the aspiration of Senwes since 2004 to be the most admired agri business in SA, the company developed the mentioned comprehensive value package that could be presented to clients, producers and other interested parties, while endeavouring continuously to create the maximum value for Senwes shareholders. Traditionally, the commercial business of Senwes has its window to the outside world, but it had a history of losses and destruction of values. Since 2005, the tables were turned with a historic of profit records