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The challenge
Microbial Biological Fertilizers International (MBFi), founded in 2003, is the leading manufacturer of biological products in South Africa. Being a registered manufacturer and supplier of agricultural products to the global farming industry, this family-run business was looking to expand internationally in 2018. It subsequently established a manufacturing site in the USA in 2022.
Despite having the international capability, MBFi lacked experience in taking a business into the international market. They needed a strong partner who could walk the journey with them into the next stage, supporting them with strategy, management development and international expertise.
The RMB Ventures solution
RMB Ventures’ purpose is to empower people, teams and businesses to unlock their full potential – an approach which appealed to MBFi. Over and above the sizable investment into MBFi, RMB Ventures presented a holistic strategy on achieving the full potential of the business, including a strategy for growth, developing the management team and offering access to the international FirstRand ecosystem.
RMB Ventures is a strong strategic partner, willing to walk the long-term journey with MBFi, acting as a sounding board and providing strategic advice on capital allocation and international strategy.
Being mindful of MBFi’s strong family tradition, RMB Ventures strengthened the management team and assisted with the transition from a family-run business to an international business in a manner that would still retain the company’s agility and independence. RMB Ventures’ role as advising partner supported the business, while enabling the founders to make decisions and run the business independently.
Client benefits
RMB Ventures assisted with strengthening the management team for growth and exposed the team to many experts in their fields within the FirstRand network. MBFi now has leading strategic input into its decision making and capital allocation processes, as well as access to leading international strategic expertise to take the next step in growth in the international markets, including the USA, Chile and Argentina.