Bosch Nigeria, a major global player in the field of technology and power tools has consolidated its partnership with the artisans and tradesmen in Nigeria following the launch recently of an innovative tradesmen kits designed to help welders and carpenters in Nigeria maximize productivity as well as drive growth in the informal sector.
The Bosch Power Tradesmen Kits which has been specially customized for Carpenters and Welders in Nigeria was launched at the National Stadium in Lagos on the 25th November 2017 with hundreds of artisans present. The kits which contain the preferred power tools with the associated accessories the craftsmen need for their daily tasks, is a product of several months of fieldwork and collaboration between Bosch Nigeria and the artisans.
According to Mr. Frank Diermann, the Country Sales Director Bosch Nigeria, the essence of the programme is to help Nigerian artisans migrate from using hand tools to the more sophisticated power tools which is designed to deliver better efficiency, speed, and productivity. He added that the importance of having quality power tools for artisans cannot be overemphasized, especially in a market such as Nigeria where unskilled labor constitutes the majority of the labor force.
“The initial partnership program with Carpenters and Welders with the Tradesmen Kits is a strategic investment for Bosch in Nigeria in the development of the artisan’s skills and output to enhance the livelihood of these individuals,” Diermann said during the event.
The empowerment scheme which is planned to be a pan Nigeria project is being undertaken with strong support and collaboration from major stakeholders including Bank of Industry, Union Bank of Nigeria, Aledin, Bosch authorized Dealers and the Presidents of the Professional Associations for Carpenters and Welders of Nigeria.
And according to Jeremy Adesanya, Conversion Manager at Bosch Nigeria, the specialized tool is sold at a discounted rate of N80, 000, about 30 percent less than the market price. However, the artisan is only expected to pay N30 000, BOI will advance them a micro-credit of N50 000 which they are expected to pay back within six months.
About 400 artisans from both the Nigerian Welders Association and Professional Carpenters and Furniture-Makers Association benefitted from the scheme, but much more are likely to join the list following the successful launch of the programme, according to Alhaji Ola Balogun President Nigerian Welder Association.
His sentiment was corroborated by the President of Professional Carpenters and Furniture Makers Association (P.C.F.A.) of Nigeria Comrade Aluko, who commended Bosch for the initiative and noted that the campaign will help Bosch reinforce its presence and market leadership in the power tool market in Nigeria.
Also, in order to tackle challenges related to after sale repairs and services, the German company has already set up a strong after-sale office in Nigeria, it has also made efforts to ensure that customers have easier access to original Bosch tools. Some of the artisans who spoke at the event commended the company for the initiative adding that this will close the gap that has in time past been exploited by merchants of sub-standard Bosch power tools.
