Lions Group Quarries, based in Lusaka West in Zambia, was founded in 2007 and is a supplier of crushed stones and quarry dust. The Company has recently invested $3.5 million in a new crushing plant and continues to expand the business.

THE Roaring SUCCESS

When the business

first came into

being, the key lines

of business were the supply of

crushed aggregates of various

sizes for construction purposes,

as well as the manufacture of

concrete blocks. Things have

changed since those early

years and the business has

subsequently discontinued block

manufacturing to focus on the

supply of aggregates.

Into the future, Lions Group

Quarries is in the process of

doing various feasibility studies,

which are aimed at looking for

growth opportunities for the

business, both in terms of the

length and breadth of its service

offering to the Zambian market.

What are Lions Group Quarries’ core activities?

Lions Group Quarries

specialises in open pit mining.

The investment in the new

crushing plant has taken the

monthly aggregate production

from 42,000 tons per month in

April to 90,000 tons in October 2013. In F2014 is planned to increase

this to between 100,000 and 120,000 tons per month.

The Company has three crushers with a combined crushing

capacity of 450 tons per hour. These supply the quarry dust as well

as 5mm, 10mm, 20mm and 40mm aggregates, to the construction

industry.

With a Dispatch and Logistics Department, Lions Group Quarries

also delivers its products to customers in and around Lusaka. The

Mechanised Workshop Facilities on Site also enables the Company to

maintain and repair its fleet of vehicles as well as the stationary plant

machines.

Strict standardsLions Group Quarries employ approximately 140 semi-skilled

and skilled members of staff excluding Management. We asked

Piet Jordaan exactly what standards and procedures these staff

(members) have adhere to. He said: “The Company is constantly

upgrading the standard operating procedures in search of safer and

more efficient work practices’’.

“Various types of training take place, from formal classroom

sessions to practical on-the-job training. Staff are also assessed in-

house as well as by third parties.

“It is important for the Company to ensure compliance with the

legislation that regulates the Industry, as well as the safety guidelines

and direction prescribed by the regulatory institutions and senior

staff.”

Because of the standards imposed on this sort of Industry, it’s

important that staff are trained properly and treated well. Lions

Group Quarries prides itself on its policy of internal development and

promotion.

Jordaan said: “Despite the limited promotion opportunities

afforded to this nature of business, it is the vision of Lions Group

LIONS GROUP QUARRIES

We spoke to General Manager Piet Jordaan who gave us a bit of background on Lions Group Quarries. “The Company was started and owned by a Lusaka businessman, who began operations of an open pit limestone quarry in June 2008. In March 2013 a transaction was concluded, which saw it sold onto new Shareholders who have the proven ability to help the business realise its true potential”

WRITTEN BY JESS SHANAHAN

Endeavour Magazine | 127

Quarries to offer development

and opportunities within the

ranks, before seeking outside of

the employment base.”

Quality that keeps customers coming back

Lions Group Quarries

supplies ‘almost marble-like’

limestone that’s pure in colour.

This is a sought after product

that’s pleasing to the eye when it

comes to constructing buildings.

The Company focuses on

removing gangue materials from

the pit to ensure the product

stays as white as possible.

This quality is something

that keeps customers satisfied

and happy. We asked Jordaan

what else kept the Lions Group

Quarries customer base loyal,

he said: “A steady supply and

around-the-clock availability

of material is an important to

our customers. This is why we

have our own delivery fleet. The

investment in an additional 3rd

Crusher has allowed us to over

produce and to build stockpiles,

thus ensuring continuity of

supply, to our customers.”

“Also, a consistent price helps

customers to plan their costs

without any nasty surprises. This

guarantees a happy customer

base.

“There would be no Lions

Group Quarries without the

satisfaction of the customers.

Our operation is one of seven similar in the area. Customers are free

to choose from any of those should another neglect to pay attention

to their needs. We’ve very keen to keep our customers loyal and our

passion for keeping customers happy assists tremendously in doing

so.”

With so much competition in the local area, it’s important that

Lions Group Quarries stay one step ahead of their competitors. They

do so by ensuring the following: A constant supply of product with

quick delivery turn-around times; offering a steady price which allows

customers to plan well ahead in terms of their own cost requirements;

providing a quality product that is of the correct specification and size.

This is a result of well-maintained equipment and constant monitoring

in terms of quality checks.

2014 and beyondAs we’ve already mentioned, there’s been the investment in the

new crushing plant as well as studies into the feasibility of various

new developments.

We asked Jordaan how these developments would change things

for Lions Group Quarries, he said: “Implementation of one or more of

these new business opportunities will allow the Company to diversify,

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LIONS GROUP QUARRIES

spread the risk of the current ‘one product supply line’. It will also

introduce additional opportunities which come with diversification

and alternative revenue streams.”

A lot of investment has gone into the expansion of the business,

some of these investments include: During 2012, the Group’s

holding company invested a significant tranche of working capital to

“steady the ship”. In 2013, the Group’s holding company has invested

approximately US$3,5 Million into upgrading and expanding of the

infrastructure at the operations as well as the feasibility studies.

In addition, there have been investments in three new senior staff

members that have been employed with experience in various key

areas within the business. This will help ready the existing staff when

one or more of the expansion opportunities come to fruition.

Lions Group Quarries is also part of a bigger Group, from which

experience and knowledge can be drawn whenever and wherever it

may be required.

The continuing investment in the business furthers Lions Group

Quarries ambition to become an even more effective and efficient

company in Zambia and, in the medium to long term, the rest of

Southern Africa.

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LIONS GROUP QUARRIES

00260 954 607 046

WWW.LIONSGROUPQUARRIES.COM

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