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Building a Strong Foundation
Reflecting on his biggest achievements over the past decade, Phillip emphasises that the success of KLINGER Mzansi has always been a collective effort.
“To manage a business the size of KLINGER Mzansi is not a one-man show. I would regard my biggest achievement as the establishment of a management team around me that shares my passion and vision for the company.”
The strength of this leadership team has been especially evident during challenging periods. Their shared commitment and support have enabled the company to consistently deliver strong results year after year.
Despite significant growth — including a national footprint and a workforce that has doubled in recent years — the company has maintained the culture and values of a family business, something Phillip considers deeply important.
On a personal level, the past decade has been the most exciting period of his career.
“For that I have to thank the executive management, from my predecessor to the KLINGER Holdings Board, who allowed me the freedom to manage KLINGER Mzansi and its people as I deem fit. Their leadership style is empowering but at the same time demanding. The greater the freedom to manage, the greater the responsibility to deliver results.”
This philosophy of accountability and empowerment has filtered throughout the organisation.
Navigating a Changing Market
The last ten years have not been without challenges. South Africa’s economic landscape has placed considerable pressure on businesses, with slow economic growth and increasing competition across industries.
“The stagnation of the economy and the addition of many smaller competitors trying to take a slice of an ever-decreasing pie has placed limitations on the ability of many companies to grow.”
KLINGER Mzansi has responded by focusing on innovation, diversification and operational excellence. Expanding the company’s product range and entering new markets have created fresh opportunities for growth.
Equally important has been the company’s commitment to customer service, efficiency, and implementing best practice across the business.
Underpinning these efforts is a highly trained and dedicated workforce.
“At KLINGER Mzansi the drive towards implementing best practice has become the norm rather than a once-off.”
Leadership as an Evolving Art
When discussing leadership, Phillip acknowledges that the journey is one of continuous learning.
“There are numerous leadership lessons that one learns over time. Some are better than others, but with experience comes the ability to take something out of every lesson.”
While leadership training can provide valuable insights, he believes true leadership is developed through experience and self-awareness.
“You can attend as many leadership courses as you want, but to lead is an art not acquired by everybody.”
For him, effective leadership means understanding the individuals within a team — what motivates them, what drives them, and how best to support their success.
“The art is in learning to lead better and adjusting your leadership style to the team that you are leading.”
A Decade of Evolution
Describing the evolution of KLINGER Mzansi over the past ten years in just three words is no easy task. The company has transformed in multiple ways.
One of the most visible changes has been significant growth. The organisation is now considerably larger, with a broader national presence and expanded operations.
Strategic acquisitions and the addition of new products, services and solutions have opened doors to new markets both locally and across Africa.
At the same time, the company has invested heavily in training and development, building a skilled and adaptable workforce capable of embracing continuous change.
Another key differentiator is KLINGER Mzansi’s position as an OEM manufacturer, enabling the business to maintain strong local manufacturing capabilities — an advantage that continues to support both growth and long-term sustainability.
Looking to the Future
While the achievements of the past decade are significant, Phillip remains firmly focused on the future.
“There is so much to be grateful for in terms of our achievements over the last ten years considering the environment we operate in.”
The company has recently launched a new five-year campaign aimed at aligning the organisation around a shared purpose and common goals.
A key priority will be expanding KLINGER’s footprint across Africa, creating new opportunities for growth while strengthening relationships with customers throughout the continent.
Another exciting focus area is the gradual redesign of the local business model, including how products and services are delivered to customers.
“We believe customers deserve the best products at a competitive price, with the shortest possible delivery time.”
Supporting customers and understanding their evolving needs will remain central to the company’s strategy for sustainable growth.
KLINGER Mzansi is also exploring future acquisitions that align with its existing product offerings and capabilities. These strategic opportunities could further strengthen the company’s position as a trusted partner in the industry.
“These acquisitions will assist in establishing KLINGER Mzansi as the one-stop, go-to partner for all our current and future customers.”
A Journey Still in Motion
Ten years is a meaningful milestone, but for KLINGER Mzansi it is also just one chapter in a much larger story. With a strong leadership team, a dedicated workforce, and a clear strategic vision under Phillip Herbst’s leadership, the company is well positioned for continued growth in the years ahead.
As Phillip looks toward the next five to ten years, one thing remains certain: the journey of innovation, development and progress at KLINGER Mzansi is far from over.