SA Franchise Warehouse Featured Brand:
Mak-Rak Timber Shelving
We look at the background and history of MAK-RAK TIMBER SHELVING, its products and services, the support they offer their franchisees and what they look for in a business owner.
YESTERDAY, TODAY & TOMORROW
“In early 1995, Marc and Arnold Klinkhamer came up with a simple, yet innovative, economical timber shelving system which could be put together like a big Meccano set and would suit the DIY enthusiast – the rest, as they say, is history.”
In its simplest form Mak-Rak’s patented DIY timber shelving system consists of uprights and shelves bolted together to create a variety of shelving units of varying heights and shelf depths. The main feature that distinguishes Mak-Rak from other timber shelving systems, apart from its wide range of add-ons, is the superior connecting system between the shelves and the uprights that provides a strong metal-to-metal connection.
Over the years Mak-Rak has completed numerous contracts for government departments, hotels, schools, factories, shops, offices and warehouses. They have also established a presence in the domestic market for garage shelving, wall units and bookshelves.
As a top seller within the Massmart group’s Builders Warehouse and Builders Express stores for the last nine years, Mak-Rak products are well known in the market place. Mak-Rak discontinued their association with the Massmart group earlier this year to allow them to focus on their drive to expand the brand through franchising.
THE CONCEPT UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
Constructed of SA pine the shelving or racking system is easy to assemble, versatile and attractive. All shelves are 900mm in length and are available in four widths ranging from 300 to 600mm. The uprights come in four sizes and have holes drilled at regular intervals which allow users the flexibility to choose the levels at which they install the shelves. Function specific products in the Mak-Rak range include wine shelves, angled shelves for better display and reducer shelves that adjust unit widths. The components of this user-friendly system pack flat for easy transport and an installation can be extended as the need arises.
Mak-Rak’s easy to use range of products is ideal for the DIY enthusiast and their primary target market is home owners between the ages of 23 and 55. The balance of their target market includes large retailers that do home décor and businesses that require storage.
An ideal premises will be located in an industrial and home decor area or strip mall. Stores should be between 100 and 150sqm, allowing for a display area of approximately 25sqm and the balance of the premises can be used for storage and assemblies.
CONSIDER YOUR SUPPORT
Franchisees are visited on a quarterly basis to ensure that the standards and service levels prescribed in the operations manual are maintained. Where necessary the franchisor will assist with any operational or administrative challenges experienced by the franchisee.
Mak-Rak offers new franchisees and managers an intensive in-house training course, conducted over three days, which is followed-up by a period of on-the-job training.
The monthly advertising levy, will at the franchisors discretion be used for national advertising. The franchisor will also make the corporate identity specifications document available to franchisees to guide them in their regional activities and direct mail will be encouraged to convey the Mak-Rak message to a defined market.
DO YOU FIT THE PROFILE?
The Mak-Rak franchisor has created a business system that could be owned and managed by anyone, including the people who have no industry experience. If you like the idea of owning a business in a booming industry, then odds are, you are a good fit for this concept. Franchisees, however, must be willing to work hard and have the ability to deal well with people from all walks of life.
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