SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THESE !!
The Felix Unite Group celebrates 23 years as a fully diversified and consolidated business concern with a budding foothold in a variety of markets.
Group M.D., Mark Kampers comments: “All the businesses have shown positive growth in the past year, warranting the expansion drive to build capacities, broaden markets and set the tone for anticipated augmentation.”
The dynamic trio of shareholders, Felix Unite, Carlos Peres and Mark Kampers, has proven to be a potent business combination for over two decades. All have diverse experience and bring complementary skills and talents to the partnership. This and their absolute commitment to company values is what underpins their success and long-standing association.
But the stories behind the three intrepid entrepreneurs are also of noteworthy interest. The Felix Unite success story began as a simple one man show, 23 years ago, when Felix led the first ever commercial canoe trip down the Orange River. The ‘river holiday’ was a relatively new concept and fired up the imagination of the adventurous man-in-the-street, which set the scene for the rapid expansion into a fully fledged destination management company. Felix is recognised for his creative marketing strategies, inventive new product development and was the high-profile name and face of the company. Felix is now in semi-retirement. Add the enigmatic and even-tempered Portuguese, Carlos, into this effervescent mix and operational & client service excellence is achieved. Carlos started the Orange River operation for Felix in 1985. And then along came Mark Kampers, the promising river guide with a head for figures. Mark started as a river guide and was commissioned to build and run the Tugela river operation for Felix for 3 years. He was subsequently tasked with building the Thunder Alley operation on the Orange River. The trio consolidated officially as partners in 1992. Mark is considered somewhat of a wizard at setting up systems, handling negotiations, managing the finances and translating the two dreamer’s vision into profitable business propositions. Mark Kampers, Group M.D., comments: “My philosophy is that if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.”
In 1997 the shareholders were approached by Tourvest Holdings with an offer to buy into their adventure businesses. Subsequently the partners sold the majority shareholdings of operating companies, Felix Unite Vehicle Hire, Tours, River Adventures and Interactive. They entered into an agreement to manage these businesses on behalf of Tourvest for a 3 year period. Being a part of a listed company introduced elements of bureaucracy and more complex decision-making structures, which resulted in the partners making an offer to buy back the majority share in the River Adventure and Interactive companies in 2007.
Mark continues: “Going forward we will continue to run our businesses as owner-managed and directed by passionate people. We do not over-extend ourselves and are focused on sound financial management & reporting. This ensures that when facing lean times, we are not placed at unnecessary risk.”
Vital to the company’s success has always been investment in the on-going training programmes for river guides, who are considered their frontline ambassadors. A measurement system was introduced which gives clients the opportunity of rating service levels after every river trip. Mark says: “The group has always placed major emphasis on client service levels and turnaround response times, which we firmly believe is what sets us apart. This measurement system enables us to keep a firm handle on service levels and we encourage our clients to tell us when they feel we have missed the boat and highlights areas of improvement.” Testament to this investment in resources is that some of the original river guides are now directors of their own companies within the group’s ambit.
Mark is upbeat and optimistic about the future prospects: “The 2010 World Cup soccer is yielding huge opportunities for all of our support businesses to get involved in. There is an inordinate amount of scope to host both pre and post tour groups. Despite negative sentiments, South Africa is still an unbelievable destination in terms of film and event locations. The international market is still streaming to our shores. The group comprises of independent companies run by shareholders and managing directors who have full responsibility and accountability for the success and profitability of their businesses and consists of six companies in three markets which are namely tourism, film and events. The companies are Felix Unite River Adventures; Red Hot Events; Felix Unite Tented Camps; Sitewise; The Foodlab and Katunda Logistics. The head office, referred to as Central Support, provides assistance to the various businesses in the areas of: accounting and administration; HR; strategic direction; creation of synergy between the companies and the acquisition of new businesses. The past year has seen significant investments made in growth opportunities across all companies. Consumer trends illustrate a major shift towards online booking, necessitating further investment in the Felix Unite River Adventures website which features a sophisticated bookings system and an online sales team with personal product experience and comprehensive product knowledge. The Foodlab, Sitewise, Katunda and Tented Camps have all invested in enhanced infra-structure. Additionally, the merger between Chameleon Indabas and Red Hot Events, has added a whole new dimension to the events business with the acquisition of a hiring supply division.
Company Values:
• The Highest Integrity
• Vision and Creativity
• Professionalism and Excellence
• Providing Value for Money
• Respecting everyone and everything
• Granting recognition at all levels
• Taking no-one in our organization for granted
• Mutual support at all times
• Solution-seeking approach
• Ensuring that business is fun
• Treating and caring for others as you would have others treat and care for you.
• Conveying at all times our passion to serve.
DATE POSTED : 5 AUGUST 2008