Metair eyes expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa following Autozone acquisition

METAIR Investments CFO, Paul O’Flaherty, said on Wednesday that he expected the company’s newly acquired Unit Autozone to contribute 5% to 6% to operating margin and help the firm with its expansion into Sub-Saharan Africa.

- TAWANDA KAROMBO

The acquisition of Autozone was among the landmarks for Metair during the full-year to the end of December 2024. Other major highlights for the period included the disposal of Mutlu, with O’Flaherty also extending his tenure by two years.

The integration of Autozone is seen as pivotal as Metair explores its growth potential in the after-sales auto market of Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Ultimately we want to see how we will position Autozone in Sub-Saharan Africa. We are looking at East African downwards and we are looking to do partnerships and joint ventures,” O’Flaherty told Business Report in an interview on Wednesday.

This comes as the South African auto industry is facing growing competition from imported Chinese auto brands. However, large SA automakers have an added advantage in that they are able to export to overseas markets.

Domestically, said O’Flaherty, the industry was looking up for support from the government as it is a big employer and a vital cog in the country’s manufacturing sector.