Recent Studies

A full truck load survey carried out in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Western Cape and Eastern Cape to establish total market, market shares, market growth, trends, opportunities, threats and challenges. The survey also covered distribution company profiles. The survey uncovered serious imbalances of full truck loads in and out bound between the Provinces and how the distribution companies were coping with these challenges.

To establish which energy sources are being used for different processes and applications in these industries. Interviews were carried out nationally with abattoirs, poultry farms, meat processing plants and brick yards.

Likely usage of a modified starch plastic polymer that could be used by plastic converters to produce a biodegradable plastic. The survey quantified the market size for a variety of plastic products and established to what extent a polymer starch could be introduced into each application sector.

A modified starch can be used in paint. The survey established the likely demand for the paint by interviewing paint technologists. The purpose would be to lower the cost of paint by introducing a starch polymer.

To establish market size, pricing, market shares of major players, user details, segmentation into different sectors and generally to analyse market opportunities.

To analyse the South African market as part of a feasibility study on behalf of Italian and local project partners. The survey established market size, growth, trends, level of imports, fashion, pricing segmentation into different grades and types of tile

On behalf of a supplier of earthmoving equipment. To establish the level of customer satisfaction in four African countries

A continuous measure of satisfaction of new lift installations, modernisations and maintenance.

Demand for OSP products and services in 12-SADC member countries. To profile the network operators and establish their future expenditure patterns. To identify and profile suppliers to the telecoms organisations

Market analysis of pipes used in the water reticulation and plumbing industry. Market size, market shares, suppliers, trends, market growth, customer expectations and various other aspects were covered. One survey also covered the likely demand for a new product .

Three studies were conducted for a US manufacturer of 2-way radios to establish the nature and structure of the market segmented into user sectors.

Survey conducted for a British building research organisation on behalf of their members to provide past, current and to forecast future demand broken down into different type, size and market segments.

A major German petroleum company interested in setting up in South Africa. An industry analysis was carried out which included market size, market shares, activity of competitors, barriers of entry and a SWOT analysis.

To establish attitudes and usage of leather products in different market sectors. This covered automotive, furniture, clothing, shoes and accessories. The objective was to establish how leather could be better promoted to the various markets.

A major Swiss manufacturer of sanitaryware wished analyse the South African market and to identify opportunities. Demand, market shares of competitors, price elasticity, opportunities and threats, barriers to entry, distribution and satisfaction with current suppliers were established.

Company was loosing market share due to aggressive marketing practised by a competitor. The survey analysed the market by establishing the demand for chlorinators, pricing of products, trends, market shares of the different brands, bundling of swimming pool products to offer discounted prices etc. The survey confirmed the lower market share of the client and suggested ways to recover including a joint marketing agreement with another competitor who had a broader product range.

Series of 2-surveys in each country was carried out to establish the nature and character of the markets for lubricants in Angola, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique. The first survey in each country quantified the market and established market shares and other related issues. The second series of surveys were customer satisfaction studies.

German Company intends to enter the South African market for phosphonates used to treat water for various applications. The survey quantified the market and established trends, strengths and weaknesses of competitors, market shares, opportunities and threats, market growth and application sectors where the phosphonates were used – mainly for industrial water treatment. The client then appointed a local agent to enter the market.

Continuous measure of customer satisfaction for a large compressor and generator hire company to measure the performance of each of 13-depots and compare with competitors. Also to measure market shares and obtain a trend analysis of the survey results carried out over the past 3-years.

To profile reader’s frequency and recency of reading, usefulness, advertising seen, age, income, job function, and decision making authority among readers of the most widely read industrial newspaper in South Africa.

A series of focus groups and vehicle clinics were carried out in KwaZulu Natal on behalf of a Development Corporation and an Italian vehicle manufacturer to measure the likely demand for a 3-wheeler vehicle which could be used for small business purposes. The survey uncovered several perceived benefits and negatives as well as a price level for the vehicles which were inspected and test driven by 150 prospective users in urban and rural locations. Several recommendations were made based on the survey findings.

Foreign investors looking at the feasibility to enter the South African beef industry. Information required was estimate of demand for beef in value and volume terms, changing consumption patterns, consumer breakdown into groups and market channels, market growth, names and contact details of major players and their activities, SWOT analysis, pricing of key products – the value chain, barriers to market entry and several other factors.

A logistics company wished to extend its penetration of the market up the West coast of Africa where the oil and gas industry was developing at a fast rate. An analysis of the market was required so that the company could put into place the required resources to build on its existing position.

Namibia is a large territory with a small population. Distances are vast and the country relies heavily on cross border distribution from South Africa. Long haul companies are in an extremely competitive market, since many consignments are coming into the country, but not so many leaving Namibia.; consequently, a market survey was required to identify the major potential customers per geographical area, the current logistical status with these customers, opposition analysis, services being offered, estimate of demand (market size), market shares, market growth, strengths and weaknesses of freight companies, opportunities and threats and trends in the market.

To assist client to reach a decision whether to locate in the IDZ, the survey objectives were to understand the potential of the Coega development, to identify the agents, shipping lines and supply chain companies that will be located in the IDZ, also to identify the industrial companies that will be located in the area, whether and which new companies from Durban and Cape Town may be attracted to Coega, which distribution centres are likely to be set up, to establish what their needs in the moving of goods in and out of the port will be and to what extent will Coega act as a hub, transhipment port and port of entry and exit for Gauteng.

A feasibility study on behalf of an Israeli company with a unique truck weighing system wishes to enter the South African market. The survey analysed the market identifying current weigh bridge suppliers and arrived at an estimate of demand. It also identified particular sectors using weigh bridges and importance of the sectors. The survey established market growth, market shares of weigh bridge suppliers, problems in marketing, product range offered, pricing of key products, opportunities and threats, trends in the market and barriers to market penetration for a new supplier. Key to the survey was to measure likely migration to the new product by existing and new weighbridge users.

An Indian chemical supplier identified South Africa as a high growth market and was drawing up a marketing strategy for the South African market. It required a better understanding of the Fabric & Surface Care market to prepare its marketing plan. The study included fabric care, dishwashing cleaners, hard surface care cleaning products used in homes, hotels & restaurants, hospitals & clinics, food & beverage industry, industrial & commercial establishments. The survey covered size and growth rate, major brand owners, their market shares, growth rates & major product categories, key raw materials by brand owners, suppliers of raw materials, value chain for select important segments and various other issues.

An Israeli supplier of biocides and water treatment chemicals was already represented in South African but wanted to obtain a better understanding of local conditions. There are only four or five really significant customers in the form of water treatment companies that currently use biocides; however, there are around 70-water treatment smaller companies active. Several are one-man operations. These and other observations and recommendations are made in the survey report.

A documents and records storage company was looking to expand its activities which had grown considerably in scope and complexity from its early days. The company now supplies software, scanning to digital, optical recognition, training and consulting and other services. The company can probably only grow organically and by looking for new opportunities. The main study objective was to look for such opportunities.

Contact details for George Klein and Associates CC

E-mail:  gkassoc@global.co.za  |  Telephone: (+27 11) 786 55 13  |  Fax: (+27 11) 786 55 11  |  Cellphone: 083 227 3022
Physical Address:  67 Wilmington Crescent  |  Lyndhurst  |  Johannesburg  |  2192
Postal Address:  P O Box 2276  |  Highlands North  |  South Africa  |  2037