UCHUMI GRAIN MILLERS (E.A.) LIMITED

Uchumi Product range include the following
a. Grade 1 sifted maize Mill- our MSOSI brand name is a Swahili (local language) Word that means An Exceptional Quality Meal!
b. Novelty and specialized mineral enriched milled grains- millet , sorghum cassava
c. Animal Feed
Uchumi planned products for 2008-2009 include
a. Chicken feed
b. Pet feeds
c. Other animal feeds

Uchumi products fill the food gap for high quality more nutritious, more hygienically produced milled grain. The maize mill is targeted for low income groups and its affordably packaged in desired quantities

The production process of Uchumi is a simple yet highly automated that involves a loader putting of the maize into the milling machine which does the cleaning, sorting, milling and grading. Packaging is done by hand. See pictures for process. The production of novelty products in the case of animal feed involves taking the byproducts of the milling process and mixing it in predetermined formulas with nutrients suitable for the animals.

The sales function at Uchumi Grain Millers is divided in two dimensions: The territories are set according to high population areas that are characterized by slums/ low income groups households and Marketplaces and shopping centers a within our locality- Nairobi estates, Mlolongo, Athi River Namanga highway and Nairobi Mombasa highway. The sales force is comprised of 4 sales representatives who have significant experience in the industry and have driven the Msosi brand in their territories.

The retail market in Kenya can be classified into high, middle and low class. The low class is the majority followed by the middle class. Uchumi’s strategy is to first attract the low class and work its way up. Uchumi is preparing for this by establishing a distribution network that will make it possible to meet the requirements of the vast majority of the population this is the Middle (BC) and Low class (D)

The competition can basically be divided into three categories. We have industrial millers producing over 200 tons a day, small and medium millers doing approximately 23-100 tons a day and posho mills who mill for individuals. The following millers sale their products all over the country and have established key brand names nationally; Mombasa maize millers, Unga Limited, Kenya Flour Mills, Kenwheat Flour Mills. we are in the second category

Our Business model is superior than our competitors, given our excellent geographical distribution network, high quality and fair price.No other company offers this combination when targeting low income groups right at their market place.

Our service is innovative because of the marketing strategy we use. The strategy communicates to specific communities at a time thus encourages communal ownership of the product. Though our product is a traditional product this marketing strategy makes ownership by different rural and urban communities possible e.g. our flyers and adverts target specific groups and therefore speaks to them in their dialect.

The growth of the business is ensured through new product development, low priced grain sourcing, opening up of new markets, signing up new distributors and hiring new staff with desired qualifications. Uchumi is now registered and certified by the government as a maize Milling company, our products have been tested and certified by the Kenya Beureu of standards in addition we are members of the newly formed United Millers and Farmers Association of Kenya. This body is involved and recognized by the government in legislation consultative matters. New products are also continuously being developed; with a short term focus on including animal feeds and even nutritional products like soya and sorghum with supplements.

UCHUMI Management Team.

Isaac Chege – Executive Director:
-He is an Actuarial Scientist & diploma in management & Information systems.
-Extensive business experience as CEO of own businesses.

Anthony Chepseba – Operations Director
-Mechanical engineer with over 15 years experience in manufacturing and operations management.

Solomon Njuguna Chege – Administration Director.
-Brings over 30 years experience in people and procurement management

David Nderitu Ndungu - Finance Manager.
-CPA with 10 years experience in Audit & Financial Management -Experience with accounting firm, micro finance institution,small businesses &NGOs.

Attached are the resume for the key management staff in Appendix 2

Our team is involved in the day to day operations of the business. The combined experience of the team and knowledge of the business from its inception ensures that we have the skills knowledge and experience to run the businesses effectively. This is the evident from the immediate turnaround the business has experienced since we took over.

I will work on the business on full time basis, this is approximately 50 hours a week while running at full capacity.

The key development factor are the jobs created by the business in addition to availing exceptional quality-low priced maize mill to all income groups. In the past 3 months Uchumi has been able to hire 4 additional people in sales and marketing, 2 in operations and another 2 in quality control. our total direct employees 23 of whom 7 are women.Indirectly we have created more than 1320 jobs through our distribution channel. Short term goal is to have created another 17 jobs when working at full capacity. We also help people save on food costs as we are cheaper than competitors. By ensuring high quality nutritious products we contribute to the health of society.