In order to better respond to concerns from partners over water conditions and quality, a major investment has been made at D&S HO to provide professional grade water analysis with the best in market turnaround time and competitive pricing. Under chief analytical chemist Rachael Kimani, the new laboratory can provide comprehensive tests for reverse osmosis (RO), boiler and cooling tower requirements.
The D&S Group's relationship with Grundfos goes back over 50 years with seminal products such as the SP stainless steel submersible pump, the CR and CH booster pumps and the SQF solar pumping ranges all having been successfully introduced to the region by D&S. In recent years the relationship has evolved further with D&S' wide distribution network offering a strong platform for Grundfos' world leading pumping technology and product leadership.
The D&S focus on digital innovation and transformation was recognised recently at the annual Chief Information Officer 100 Awards held in Naivasha. These ICT based awards celebrate organizations and the teams within them that are using digital technology in innovative ways to deliver business value, create competitive advantage, optimize business processes, enable growth or improve the customer experience.
Branch and Business Unit Managers from across the D&S group recently gathered in Nairobi at the D&S HO Conference facility for a two-day event focusing on the key aspects of their responsibilities. Organized by Branch Managing Executive Margaret Kuchio, the conference theme was 'Putting Customers First' and the 85 participants enjoyed a varied programme that included a talk by Diane Korir of D&S partner Standard Chartered Bank who gave her perspective on the customer journey, various contributions from D&S Managers, who shared experiences with their colleagues and a participatory exercise designed to generate ideas.
The Nairobi suburb of Westlands has played a very significant role in the D&S history as it was there that the first premises were located back in 1946 and also where the first branch was established, then called the Pool Shop, in 1994. In 2003 the branch was moved to its second Centro House location and then re-branded Davis & Shirtliff from where it grew to be one of D&S's biggest branches.