In what has been described by management as a ‘milestone BEE deal’, Tsholo Wesi and Clarissa Carsten, an ambitious and tenacious duo, have fast-tracked their goal of guiding the fortunes of leading conference, exhibitions and events solutions company in Africa with their acquisition of a 51% share in the 3D Group.
Originally from the Northern Cape, Wesi and Carsten have earned a reputation in that province for their determination and flair, plus acute business acumen.
3D Group was established 1995 and has grown from humble roots in Managing Director John Kullmann’s garage to the largest exhibition infrastructure and design stand-building company in southern Africa.
Wesi and Carsten are not only joining its board of directors but playing a major role in the day-to-day running of the business.
According to 3D Group Marketing & Sales Director, Conrad Kullmann, the deal is a milestone event for the exhibitions company marrying a dynamic, young BEE business with an experienced, professional group of companies.
“The 3D Group has the capacity to design, construct, project manage and execute up to 400 events, exhibitions or exhibits a year. In addition, its relationship with the international modular stand format, Octanorm, means it can design locally and build internationally very cost-effectively.
“Furthermore, its custom stand design and construction skills are acknowledged as among the best in the industry and its shop-fitting, furniture hire, large format digital printing and shell scheme businesses are all optimised to ensure the success of any project.
“Tsholo and Clarissa, who have worked successfully in the local and international leisure and business tourism destination sector since 2007, are a tireless duo with boundless enthusiasm and professionalism.
“Those qualities alone make them a welcome addition to the 3D Group team. But, they’ll also be bringing considerable new business development skills to the company.
“This deal elevates the 3D Group offering to a new level. It will grow the brand in sectors where 3D has historically not as had much presence as it would like, and it will enable the existing 3D Group team to transfer the skills its built up over many years to a new team. It’s something we’ve all been looking forward to doing for some time now.”
For their part, Wesi and Carsten are excited about the deal because of the opportunity for skills transfer across all levels of the business – top management, middle management and shop floor – and because it has fast-tracked their desire to guide the fortunes of a leading holistic conference, exhibitions and events solutions company in Africa.
“Our talent is in networking, identifying opportunities, ideas and delivering on those. But we have always worked with solutions providers to do the physical work – the design, the construction, the build, the breakdown,” said Tsholo.
“Now, with 51% of 3D Group as an arrow in our quiver, we’ll be in a position to do just that, and take our offering to the next level. It’s hugely exciting and we look forward to making a real impact in the southern African industry.”
