Bosch empowers Nigerian artisans with specialised tool kits

One of the global players in the field of technology and power tools, Bosch Nigeria, has consolidated its partnership with the artisans and tradesmen in Nigeria following the recent launch of an innovative tradesmen’s kits designed to help welders and carpenters in Nigeria maximise productivity as well as drive growth in the informal sector.

Bosch Power Tradesmen Kits, which has been specially customised for carpenters and welders in Nigeria, was launched at the National Stadium in Lagos, with hundreds of artisans present. The kits contain preferred power tools with associated accessories the craftsmen need for their daily tasks. It is a product of several months of fieldwork and collaboration between Bosch Nigeria and the artisans.

According to the Country Sales Director Bosch Nigeria, Mr. Frank Diermann, the essence of the programme was to help Nigerian artisans migrate from using hand tools to the more sophisticated power tools, which are designed to deliver better efficiency, speed and productivity. He added that the importance of having quality power tools for artisans could not be overemphasised, especially in a market such as Nigeria, where unskilled labour constitutes majority of the labour force.

“The initial partnership programme 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,” he said.

The empowerment scheme, 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 Authorised Dealers and presidents of the Professional Associations for Carpenters and Welders of Nigeria.

Conversion Manager at Bosch Nigeria, Jeremy Adesanya, noted that the specialised tool is sold at a discounted rate of N80,000, about 30 percent less the market price. However, the artisan are only expected to pay N30,000, while BOI will advance them a micro-credit of N50,000, which they are expect to pay back within six month.

About 400 artisans from both the welders association and carpenters and furniture-makers association benefitted from the scheme, but many more are likely to join the list following the successful launch of the programme, according to Alhaji Ola Balogun, President Nigerian Welder Association.

His counterpart in furniture-makers association, Comrade Aluko, commended Bosch for the initiative and noted that the campaign would 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 an office in the country. 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, noting that it would close the gap that has, in time past, been exploited by merchants of sub-standard Bosch power tools.