Metrofile Holdings has opened its first Metrofile Records Management branch in Isolo Estate, Nigeria.
Graham Wackrill, CEO of Metrofile Holdings, says that – after a long search – Metrofile has sourced appropriate premises which best suited the company’s needs and is now fully operational in Nigeria.
“The official opening of Metrofile’s first branch in Nigeria reconfirms the company’s stated strategy to expand its service offering into Africa.”
Nigeria, the second biggest economy in Africa and recently tipped to be the largest by 2020, will enable Metrofile to spread any geographical risk in its business, as well as provide excellent room for growth, says Wackrill.
“We believe that in the long-term a presence in Nigeria can have a significant impact on our numbers due to the size of the economy.”
He says the premises hosts a starting warehouse with a storage capacity of approximately 80 000 boxes and offers ample opportunity for expansion.
“Metrofile is currently renting existing warehouse space – which is in line with the company’s strategy to not own property outside of South Africa – and will look to a purpose-built facility on other premises as the demand to manage bigger volumes grows.”
The potential for growth is significant, says Wackrill, as no other company currently offers a similar service in the country.
“At present, all businesses handle their own records storage and management requirements in Nigeria. However, it is clear from the organisations we have already engaged with that there is a keen desire to do things properly in terms of compliance and corporate governance.”
South African-born Glenton Swift, who has lived in Nigeria for seven years, will head up the operation as GM.
“We are confident that Swift’s extensive working experience combined with his deep understanding of the local business environment will benefit the company,” Wackrill says. “The branch will also employ up to ten local people with room for future employment opportunities as the demand for services grows.”
Initially, Metrofile Records Management Nigeria will offer records storage and management services, with future plans to expand the offering to include scanning, data protection and active filing services.
“We are confident that there is a tremendous demand for additional services in the country and we will look to introduce these as the business develops.”