The strategy of the Group is centred on the manufacturing and wholesale distribution of quality branded hardware, sanitaryware, plumbing, kitchen, engineering and civil products through a national, strategically positioned branch network as well as in selected African countries and Mauritius. Dawn adds significant value to the distribution channel through its optimised logistics services and, by acquiring leading brand manufacturers, it is able to reduce duplication and enhance efficiencies between the production and distribution of the Group’s products. Through selective equity ownership, Dawn is able to share in the value of the optimised supply-chain that is created. Its subsidiary businesses complement each other’s product ranges and therefore create significant cross-selling opportunities and a total solution package offering. Service functions such as warehousing, distribution and administration are shared, allowing for maximum efficiency through economies of scale. Dawn distributes approximately 40 000 products sourced through more than 2 500 suppliers to over 12 000 customers in the infrastructure, building and plumbing sectors. The Group participates actively in the building and infrastructural development sectors and significant inroads have been made into the petrochemical, agricultural and mining sectors. The Group diversified into the infrastructural development sector over the past three years in order to take up opportunities presented through the anticipated infrastructure upgrades, both in South Africa and in the rest of Africa.