By Richard Kintu
Customer satisfaction is the epitome of modern business models, with companies that excel at it posting not only good profits but also exhibiting strong growth potentials. This is because a satisfied customer is a sign of strong business foundations to any firm, yet he is also the unofficial major advertiser of the business that satisfies him.
Last Saturday, December 7, 2024, leading truck distributors, Double Q Uganda Limited, proved this notion, thanks to a glowing tribute about their customer care policies from Mukwano Industries Uganda Limited, one of their satisfied customers. Speaking at the event at which Double Q launched 3 new additions to their trucks catalogue in Uganda, Mukwano Industries General Manager Operations, Rwabwogo Businge, recounted how what started as a trial of Double Q’s trucks forced one of Uganda’s manufacturing powerhouses to overhaul their logistics fleet for good, thanks to the new supplier’s addictive offering of quality and customer-responsive packages.
The enduring temptation
According to Businge, for over 35 years, Mukwano industries had enjoyed an unbreakable affinity for the Mercedes Benz as the official transportation truck of choice for its long range of home utility products. However, all this would change about 4 to 5 years ago when Sinotruck official distributors Double Q, convinced them to at least try out their brand of trucks which are relatively new on the Ugandan market.
“We had never used any other trucks apart from the Benz, so we were skeptical to try out anything else. However, following a successful engagement with the Double Q representative, we decided to try out their vehicles,” Businge said.
According to Businge, the trial was done on just 6 units of the Sinotruck 371 model for fear of ‘stretching the risk too far’. However, the trial trucks would be the spark of a committed business marriage between the two companies, which has since then growth from strength to strength.
This amazing change in fortunes, Businge says, was concertized by Double Q’s customer-responsive business model which makes it difficult for any customer who buys their vehicles to avoid the addiction for further products.
“Double Q is a very customer-friendly company; we’re indeed highly satisfied with their customer response, it is very satisfactory,” Businge said.
Businge revealed that together with Double Q representatives, he visited the Sino Truck manufacturing plant, where he was able to appreciate the modern international standards with which the company has manufactured the different models of the Sino Truck since 1930 to date.
“I witnessed and experienced the company’s excellent manufacturing technology which has been improving since 1930,” Businge narrated, adding that the experience also allowed him to understand more that a car is like a human being which must be well fed, cleaned, serviced and generally well taken care of if it is to last longer.
And apart from being able to get firsthand experience of the manufacturing process of the trucks, Double Q also accorded Mukwano with tax advisory services which helped them to significantly reduce their tax burden at importation.
With such an experience coupled with highly satisfying performance of the 6 sample trucks, Mukwano industries last year expanded its commercial fleet with 75 Sinotrucks from Double Q.
“I can confirm without fear or favour that we have not been disappointed by the decision and because of what we have experienced so far; in fact, next year we are going to expand our fleet further with more Sinotrucks,” Businge told the attentive guests who turned up for the grand launch of the HOWO Max, HOWO NX 10×4, and HOWO M7 Sino Trucks; which was officiated by Works and Transport Minister, Gen. Katumba Wamala.
Government Nods In Approval
In the minister’s speech which was read by Benon Kajuna, the Ministry’s Director of Transport who represented Gen. Katumba, government lauded Double Q’s immense contribution to Uganda’s development agenda through enabling technology transfer into the country and jobs creation.
He noted that by bringing in Sino trucks which are fuel-efficient and tailored to Uganda’s terrain, Double Q not only contributes to the development of the transport infrastructure but also promotes regional integration and national security.
“Transport infrastructure is essential for national security and regional integration yet it is also important to know that Uganda being a landlocked country, 95% of our cargo and passenger traffic is aided by roads. This is why Double Q— being a supplier of road manufacturing equipment and transportation trucks— plays a vital role in addressing the country’s infrastructure challenges,” he said.
The minister pledged that government will continue supporting businesses like Double Q’s whose innovations support national growth.
And addressing journalists, Mr. Kajuna, on his part, praised Double Q’s commitment to creating jobs in Uganda, most especially with the company now setting up an assembly plant for its trucks on Masaka Road.
“We are happy that they’ve already set up an assembly plant at Masaka road, which actually is going to create jobs and employment to the people of Uganda. We are also happy that their trucks are new and not second hand, which saves our environment from pollution. we (as government) therefore encourage Ugandans and other people to come and buy these new products,” Kajuna said.
Why the Sino truck ticks
Over the last couple of years, the Sino truck has become one of, if not, the most preferred transportation vehicle for building and construction materials. The towering truck is a common sight in road construction, mining, and other large-scale project sites, where customers cherish it for its durability and high performance. The Sino Truck also boasts cutting-edge fuel-efficient systems, which helps its users to reduce their operational costs. This explains why construction materials customers get more volumes of materials compared to when other trucks are used.
A heightened Sino Experience
The good news for Sino Truck enthusiasts and customers is that Double Q has moved to make the Sino experience even better with the launch of the three HOWO trucks which will largely be used for haulage and transportation of merchandise goods within and outside the country.
Richard Musani, the Head of Marketing Double Q says the new experience is thanks to the dedication and innovativeness of both Sinotruck International, the trucks’ Chinese manufacturer, and Double Q, its official distributor in Uganda.
“We are proud to be associated with Sino Truck, a brand that shares our values and passion for innovation; that unwavering support and commitment to excellence is the reason for this exponential growth and popularity of our trucks in Uganda,” Musani said.
Musani’s assertions can easily be contextualized by Jack Wang, the Sinotruck sales director at Double Q, who reveals that the company keeps close tabs with their customers with a view to continually improve their experience with the Sinotruck.
We are very aware that customer needs are unique and diverse; that’s why we avail our customers with different models to meet their diverse needs,” Wang said.
Fortunately, this hard work has not been in vain as it is manifested in the company’s growth trail which is in tandem with growth in customer needs.
Double Q’s company profile, for instance, shows that it started just about a decade ago in 2013 as a supplier of construction materials. However, its ambition quickly grew, first diversifying into supplying Sinotruk spare parts and motor vehicle leasing before going full throttle into being the current major supplier of SinoTruk motor vehicles in the country. As we speak today, Double Q Co. Ltd is not only the leading and authorized distributor of SINOTRUK and XCMG road equipment, but it has also established an assembly plant to assemble these trucks and equipment from Uganda.
Meanwhile, just like they say that birds of a feather flock together, in Sinotruck International, Double Q found an equally ambitious business partner who is growing from strength-to-strength year in, year out.
While addressing customers at Saturday’s launch of the newest HOWO Sinotrucks at the Double Q head offices in Busega, Li Zhijiang, the Africa Division Sales Manager at Sino Truck International revealed that the truck manufacturer had continually grown since inception in 1930.
For instance, figures of the company’s overseas market show that in 2022, Sino truck sold 88, 525 trucks, increasing these sales to 130,000 in 2023, while in 2024 it sold 170,000 overseas.
Li noted that such success is a result of heavy investment in research and development aimed at tailoring the vehicles to the different customer needs.
“We invest US$500m in R&D per year and to date the total spend in this particular area is US$1.2bn. This explains why we have managed to improve our trucks to become every driver’s choice,” he said.
New Sinotrucks, The Ultimate Christmas Gifts
Caden Liu, the Double Q General Manager says the new trucks are a gamechanger in the country’s truck sector as they bring a new experience to this industry. Designed with the latest technology to offer maximum comfort to both the driver and owners, the trucks also come with amazing packages as explained by Jin Wei, the sales manager at Sinotruck international:
The Howo Max Tractor Truck
This is a New Generation all-rounder whose shape was inspired by the traditional Chinese bow. It’s designed to offer maximum reliability, maximum Efficiency, maximum Safety and maximum comfort. It is suitable for heavy-duty applications, hence perfect for long-haul transportation, construction, and mining industries. It boasts a Golden Power Train with a powerful MC engine equipped with 430 HorsePower, advanced transmission system, and enhanced safety features. This truck is fitted with multifunction buttons to control features such as electric heating, Bluetooth, fault query and vehicle moniting, all of which are displayed on a 12.3 mm multimedia screen.
To save fuel, the truck comes with a 860+400L dual fuel tank which saves fuel up to 8%. Boasting a foldable passenger seat, flexible interior space and 4-point suspension airbags, this monster truck also has LED integrated lamps with lighting distance of up to 260m and width of 35 metres.
Price: the truck goes for UD 72,000 but those who wish to have it as a Christmas present will enjoy a $2500 discount and buy it at $69,500. Such lucky customers will also enjoy 3 times of free service, free spare parts worth $1000 and a free tracking device; all of which are valid until January 15, 2025.
The Howo NX Cargo Truck
Designed with Germany Technology, this white truck (with a gold logo) is a first choice for cross border goods transportation. It is built for versatility and reliability, offering a range of engine options, improved fuel efficiency, and increased payload capacity. This truck features cutting-edge technology from Germany, ensuring unparalleled performance and efficiency. It commands 280 horsepower while its smart security features, Air-conditioned cabin, and 400L fuel tank make it an extremely user-friendly truck.
Price: USD 74,000 but customers can enjoy a Christmas discount of $2000 and acquire it at USD 72,000. The other incentives as applied to the HOWO Max also apply here until January 15, 2025.
The Howo M7 Light Cargo Truck
Featuring advanced safety and improved fuel efficiency features, this sleek truck is engineered for comfort and performance. Its modern design which was inspired by the plump body of a shark makes the HOWO M7 very flexible and ideal for urban transportation, logistics, and small-scale business haulage. It boasts a desert air filter, while its 200L aluminum engine makes it a pocket-friendlier option in terms of fuel costs.
Price: USD 40,000 but Christmas customers who acquire it before January 15, 2025 will enjoy a $2000 discount and drive it away at $38,000 on top of 3 times of free service, spare parts worth $1000 and free tracking device.
