Started 14 years ago, Genrodav reaps from growing insecurity in the country
A young man plunged into business 14 years ago to cash in on the growing demand for security equipment. The pressing need for security at homes, schools and offices has seen hundreds of companies sprout up to mint millions by installing monitoring equipment like CCTV cameras – and, David Akama is one good example of a guy who is doing well in this lot. He got his start as a pipe music technician, working hands on with Sight and Sound, and later on with Hotpoint.
On a quest to improve his financial status, he partnered with five associates to set up Genrodav in 2010. Today, he has a lot to show as an entrepreneur and the company is fast catching up.
With a Sh60,000, the company started doing basic installations for televisions and music systems, while stocking some few security equipment. The first defining milestone, though, was a big project the company implemented in Westlands from which it netted Sh1 million. “This installation worked well for us. In 2011 we fitted 16 apartments and netted Sh1.2 million. That’s how we took off,” Mr Akama says.
The company offers full CCTV surveillance solutions that include IP cameras, digital video recorders, analogue cameras and network video recorders. He is particularly excited about the newly created division, Gals Track Enterprises, which aims at providing vehicle tracking services such as car SMS and GPRS tracking, fleet management, anti-theft, vehicle maintenance alerts, monitoring of fuel consumption, asset tracking, and kids tracking.
These solutions save you the agony of what the driver, for instance, is discussing while in your car. At the comfort of your home or office, you can take pictures, see who is in your car, and tell what they are up to.
The company also deals in sound systems, which entails installing open ceiling speakers, indoor and outdoor hanging and surface mount speakers, IP addressable speaker systems as well as external sound amplification systems.
Mr Akama, who is currently pursuing a degree in Information Communication at Maseno University, knows pretty well it is not easy to run a business. Setting up a business especially if you have very little capital is a tough affair. But a mid the gloom are rays of sunshine. “Being self-employed is better. You learn to manage yourself, you can move around easily and expand your financial base,” he says.
At Genrodav, he is in charge of the technical department and handles mostly site jobs. In future, Genrodav plans to merge with Gals Track Enterprises to form what Mr Akama calls “security and Av solution integrator”. Growth in customer base has seen Genrodav employ seven permanent employees. The rest are casuals who are called in whenever there is more work.
Apartments, offices, homes, hotels and even colleges and schools are form the main market as increased confidence in the advanced technology of surveillance and tracking solutions widens up. In fact, apartments and hotels are fast becoming their biggest customers. 3DEE apartments, which comprises 32 houses was their latest project by the time we were going to press.
Mr Akama says the cost depends on the mode of work, and what a client wants. And as demand grows they are set to open outlets in the counties as part of plans to get a share of these virgin markets.
With the emergence of terror groups like Al-Shabaab and theft cases at home and work, very few people are taking chances. Installing a CCTV camera at your business premises, for example, can leave you with a peace of mind. Besides boosting security, the director says the company is striving to be one of Kenya’s top security solutions providers in the sector.
Mr Akama is so enthusiastic with the technology shift that even the many businesses that are tainting the market by supplying cheap and substandard products won’t dampen the company’s spirit.
These days the perils of failing to monitor your premises are clear. It’s like dancing with the devil. When security is compromised, your big investment might end up getting lost.
“Security starts with you and me. If security is not proper your business goes down. Sometimes insecurity can leave you with no choice. So we must be watchful when dealing with employees or clients,” he says.
