![[Interview] Priscilla Muhiu, Head of Marketing, Sendy, Kenya](Images/2018/08/Sendy (002).jpg)
[Interview] Priscilla Muhiu, Head of Marketing, Sendy, Kenya
Priscilla Muhiu is the Head of Marketing at Sendy, a mobile-based logistics firm that connects customers with drivers to help deliver goods from one place to another.
Would you please introduce your company?
Sendy was launched in Kenya in 2014 with the mission is to build partnerships that unlock new possibilities for businesses and individuals. The Kenya-based company is a delivery platform that connects businesses and individuals with drivers of all vehicle types making deliveries simple and transparent using a cutting-edge, user-focused technology platform.
When customers place delivery requests through the platform, Sendy dispatches these orders in real time to the closest available Sendy Partner Drivers.
At Sendy, we believe delivery can move people, and even whole communities, forward because delivery unlocks potential, powers growth, and opens up a world of new possibilities.”
What would you say gives your company the competitive edge?
Currently, Sendy doesn’t have direct competition. Our indirect competitors include; the informal transporters, traditional logistics companies, and in-house logistics.
We stand out from the competitors by enabling users to make delivery request conveniently using our web or mobile application. We also differentiate ourselves from the competition by offering transparency in pricing, ability to track deliveries and security by connecting users to insurance providers that offer insurance of the goods while in transit. Thanks to our real-time analytics tools, businesses are able to track their logistics costs in real time.
Who are Sendy’s clients?
Currently, Sendy has worked with over 5,000 business clients and 50,000 individual clients. Some of the clients we have include; Unilever, Bidco, Chandaria, Multichoice, Toyota, Safaricom among others.
What are the ambitions of the company going forward?
The company’s vision is to become the preferred delivery partner for Africa. We aim to build the delivery infrastructure for powering business growth. Currently, Sendy operates in Kenya but there are plans to soon enter the Ugandan and Tanzanian Markets. At Sendy, we believe that delivery is much more than delivering goods. We believe that delivery unlocks potential, powers business growth and opens up a world of new possibilities. Right now, Sendy is focussing on partnering with Kenyan SMEs, Corporates and Manufacturers to unlock new possibilities by powering their business growth.
How has the market responded to your products/services? Why do you think that is so?
Over the years, Sendy has managed to work with over 5,000 businesses and 50,000 individual customers because it is cost effective and efficient. The pricing is given upfront and it is very transparent; it's not a guessed number but its based on the distance covered. The platform also enables users to track their deliveries in real time and all the packages are insured while in transit. By doing this, Sendy gives the users peace of mind as they conduct their businesses.
How is competition in the delivery sector? How are you insulating yourselves from the competition?
Currently, Sendy doesn’t have direct competition. Our indirect competitors include; the informal transporters, traditional logistics companies, and in-house logistics.
We stand out from the competitors by enabling users to make delivery request conveniently using our web or mobile application. We also differentiate ourselves from the competition by offering transparency in pricing, ability to track deliveries and security by connecting users to insurance providers that offer insurance of the goods while in transit. Thanks to our real-time analytics tools, businesses are able to track their logistics costs in real time.
You recently reduced your prices to target SMEs. Why is this important to you?
We decided to reduce prices of these vehicle types not only to increase uptake of customers doing deliveries with us but most importantly, to create demand of our Pickup, Vans, and Trucks for our Drivers. We would like to get on board as many businesses as we can to do deliveries with us efficiently using technology, to save them time and logistics costs. We would also like to target the SMEs such as the hardware owners and the mama mbogas to do deliveries using our platform by offering them affordable delivery prices. We hope to double the number of businesses that we support with the various initiatives we are undertaking including making our prices competitive as well as having more partners to fulfill all our clients’ needs
What are some of the benefits of using your delivery platform?
Sendy is the solution for all your deliveries. With our application, you can get connected to all vehicle types from motorbike to pickups to all sizes of trucks. We enable you to save money while doing your deliveries. You can place one order and add up to 9 stops to deliver to various customers. This can lower the delivery cost per customer by 50%
Our platform also allows you to track your order in real time using your mobile phone. To give you peace of mind, all packages are insured while in transit. In case of an accident, you will be compensated for your damaged goods. Our service also allows you to schedule your orders up to 7 days before your delivery. This ensures that the goods are delivered to your clients in good time and there are no delays.
One of the things customers are always worried about is security. What is Sendy doing to ensure customer goods are secure?
Sendy gives customers peace of mind by enabling users to track deliveries and connect them to insurance. All goods are insured while in transit. Furthermore, a thorough vetting and training of drivers is done to ensure that the goods are in the hands of good drivers.
What is the latest news from your company?
On the 22nd of August 2018, the minister of economic affairs in Japan, H.E Toshimitsu Motegi visited the Sendy office to learn more on how Sendy is disrupting and formalizing the logistics sector. The Minister was accompanied by the Ambassador of Japan in Kenya, H.E Toshitsugu Uesawa. Mr. Meshack Alloys, the CEO of Sendy had discussions with the Minister on the progress and the challenges the company has faced.
Africa Business Communities is conducting a series of interviews with CEOs & Business Founders in Africa.
Do you fit the profile? Great! Send an e-mail to bas@africabusinesscommunities.com
