Pupkewitz Group searches for long-term MD

THE name Pupkewitz is synonymous with successful business in Namibia because whatever the founder, the late Harold Pupkewitz, touched literally “turned into gold”.

Chamwe Kaira, this week sat down with Jerome Davis, Group MD, Pupkewitz Group for an interview in Windhoek and the topics of their discussion included the search for a long-term MD, expansion plans for the group and his experiences as MD.

The Namibian (TN): Mr Davis, you have extended your contract for one more year, does this mean that you see yourself as a stop-gap MD, holding the fort while the group looks for a long term MD?

Jerome Davis (JD): My answer to one of the questions posed to me during various interviews with the media last year was that the board of Pupkewitz Holdings believed that I could deliver and that history would dictate whether or not the right decision was made. The request by the board to extend my contract speaks for itself. However, my appointment was never viewed as a permanent or long-term appointment and it is appropriate that the board initiates a programme to find someone to replace me when my term expires.

TN: You took over from the legendary founder of the group, Harold Pupkewitz. Can you describe what it has been like to be MD of the group, post the Harold Pupkewitz era? What are some of the challenges that you have faced?

JD: The passing on of Mr Harold in April 2012, after an active involvement in the business for 75 years, has inevitably left a huge void that can never be filled. However, besides leaving behind the legacy of the Pupkewitz business, Mr Harold left behind a dedicated, hard-working and loyal group of employees, who have made their own unique and extremely valuable contributions to the success of the Group. As Managing Director, the harnessing of this pool of excellent human capital has been a delight and rather than a challenge, I am privileged to be presented with numerous opportunities on almost a daily basis.

TN: What are the future plans of the group, what new ventures are you planning?

JD: Besides the opening of a new MegaBuild store as part of the Grove development in the south of Windhoek, there are a number of projects currently in the works, all of which are at a critical stage in the negotiating process, so you will excuse me if I do not disclose any of those at this time.

TN: The press statement that announced the extension of your contract said revenue had grown in the past year, can you elaborate on this?

JD: You will appreciate that we are a privately-owned company and accordingly our trading results are confidential. However, suffice to say our revenues are in excess of 15% ahead of last year, and our bottom line is tracking even better than that.

TN: Does the Group have any plans to sell a stake to BEE groups or list on the NSX?

JD: As a group, we subscribe absolutely to the principles of the New Equitable Empowerment Framework (NEEEF), and we are currently busy ensuring that we comply with the five pillars of empowerment, which forms its basis. Additionally, the level of know-how, business acumen and intelligence, evident in black business leaders around me, leads me to believe that black economic empowerment will happen naturally, as a matter of course and we support such development to the hilt.

TN: Last comments before we conclude?

JD: We aim to use the incredibly solid foundations of business and human capital, which was Mr Pupkewitz’s legacy and build upon it in a meaningful and competent manner, so that enormous energy invested in creating the business enterprise that is the Pupkewitz Group was not in vain.

We are of a view that whatever is not growing dies, so we are focused on pursuing opportunities that will add value to the group.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.