Bachmus Oil and Fuel Supplies: Dedicated to customer service

Bachmus Oil and Fuel Supplies started is a family-run business, which began its journey in 1994 as a supplier of heavy fuel (bunkers) to vessels.

The company has grown into a leading supplier of fuel, lubricants, related cleaning products and technical services to various industries throughout Namibia.

Bachmus managing director Corne Schalkwyk said the the company's story is one of perseverance, customer focus, being vision-driven, gaining expertise and building trust.

"Getting to the position of the leader in lubricants and wholesale fuel supply did not happen overnight. From our humble beginnings in the 90s, it took courage, vision and a distinct type of leadership to bring the company to its current level of success.”



Footprint

Schalkwyk added that there was a strong drive to provide a service that no one else offered at the time, to ensure that their customer service was consistent and that supplies were reliable.

Today, Bachmus has depots across Namibia including in Windhoek, Karibib, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Ondangwa. Last year, the company inaugurated a brand-new depot and spacious warehouse with state-of-the-art facilities for refuelling.

“Karibib is a critical refuelling stop-over for trucks on the trade corridor routes. Bachmus recently refurbished an old service station and opened the doors as a new wholesale fuel provider, as well as selling motor oils to the public.”



Reliable

What sets Bachmus apart is its unparalleled commitment to customer service, as a wholesale fuel distributor permitted to sell to the public (trucks and heavy vehicles) offering a unique combo-solution-driven product and service offering to the general man on the street.

“The most important ingredient to the company's success and growth has been its staff. We are blessed with a dynamic, diverse and skilled team. We employ 51 staff in our different depots nationwide. Many senior staff have been working at Bachmus for over 10 years, while others for more than five, which speaks to the company's longevity, low staff turnover and family culture.”

According to Schalkwyk, an essential part of growth within the company is based on leveraging the team’s diverse thinking and talents to create new solutions or paths of growth.

“We include everyone in reaching our overall goals, and encourage each employee take ownership of the part they play in the company's growth."



Supplies and services

Being a multi-brand supplier, the company specialises in the supply of various lubricants, oils and hydraulics for a myriad number applications in the industrial, mining, marine, agriculture, automotive, manufacturing, energy and construction industries.

Bachmus is the main distributor for Caltex in the country, and also stocks other major lubricant brands such as Eurol, Engen and Total.

One of Bachmus' key advantages is its ability to provide packaged fuel and oil supplies with expert technical back-up to the mining and marine sectors. This includes the on-site placement of mobile self-bunded tanks, pumps and fuel management systems. "The fact that the self-bunded tanks are mobile makes them easy to install, move and manage," the company said.

With the marine and mining sector being critical to the Namibian economy, Bachmus wants to make sure it is positioned to provide the best possible service and quality products.

On the technical side, the company provides a wide range of services, including oil sampling, oil analyses, computerised inventory control of fuel dispensing as well as expert technical advice. These systems and services have helped companies extend oil draining intervals, have more control over fuel spend, and identify possible mechanical issues based on oil analyses before a major breakdown, thus avoiding expensive repair work.

In the marine sector, Bachmus is a major supplier of marine lubricants and bunkering. It provides bunkering (supply of heavy fuels to vessels) in port and offshore Namibia, as well as in other countries along the west coast of Africa.



Experienced

Jaun-Mare Delport, who heads the bunkering and marine lubricants division, has extensive experience - having worked in the industry for 20 years. She can be relied upon for proper advice and the best service.

The impact of Bachmus’ product and service offering on the transport sector cannot be overstated. The company supplies diesel to highway transport and provides affordable motor oils to the private vehicle and taxi market. This plays a critical role in keeping the wheels of the economy and trade turning.

Experienced and dedicated teams, service, expertise and quality products - coupled with a commitment to building long-lasting relationships with customers - have been the building blocks of the company’s success.

As Bachmus looks to the future, it is poised for even greater success and exciting new developments.

"We have come a long way, and we look forward to some exciting new developments ahead. As usual, our teams are ready to assist all our customers with any oil or fuel needs," Schalkwyk said.



For more information on how Bachmus can best serve and support your business or operations, call 064 205 812, email [email protected] or visit bachmus.com.na.