For newly appointed Goodyear Country Manager – Victor Soares and his team, Mozambique has the potential to be one of Africa’s best success stories – and Goodyear plans to be part of its bright business future.

Soares says, “Short term, our aim is to improve efficiencies and to find the most beneficial route to market for our product. The longer term vision is to expand Goodyear’s operations in order to capitalise on a double-digit GDP growth country. More importantly, we are striving to cement Goodyear as a truly sustainable company here in Mozambique; compliant, ethical and driven by client satisfaction.”

“We employ 78 permanent staff countrywide, but this can grow to 120 seasonal workers for the sugar industry, depending on client needs. Our head office is in the capital of Maputo.”

Goodyear has already been operating for more than 25 years in Mozambique.  Its distribution channel and services partner, Trentyre first opened its doors in 2000 and then, in 2005, opened a branch in Beira (central Mozambique) that quickly rose to contribute 50% of the company’s turnover in the country.

Soares adds, “The country is not without its challenges: sluggish port operations slow down the receiving process, as do the tedious bureaucratic customs systems. The corrupt mind-set is another challenge.”

“The truck market is relatively large but, the roads are in a very poor condition and operational damages are common.  Trentyre in Beira is well positioned to capture the Zimbabwe and Zambia corridors, which sees more than 2 500 trucks passing through this town on route to other east African and central African destinations.”