Rongai Workshop and Transport Limited has been in the road transport business since 1947 and has a fleet size of over 100 prime movers.
It was founded by Gordon Eccles in 1947 in Rongai, Nakuru, originally as an agricultural workshop supplying and servicing machinery and building trailers for the rural farming community in the area.
In 1950, Gordon diversified into the transportation of milk and farm produce before he ventured into refurbishing old Leyland vehicles to transport his sisal from Rongai to Mombasa.
The business started paying off with greater profit margins which influenced the expansion further. Later, he recruited drivers, mechanics, and body builders to assist in running the business that now employs 230 people directly.
Company Success
Rongai Workshop and Transport is the second-largest road transport company in terms of regional destinations served. Rongai is recognized as an experienced and reliable partner for delivering various types of cargo within Kenya and Uganda.
The trucking firm has tea companies among its top clients and runs a fleet of 160 vehicles employing over 230 people.
Passing the Baton
However, in 2010 Gordon passed without leaving a will. His daughter Vanessa Evans took over the multi-billion empire after giving up on her dreams of serving in law enforcement.
“My father was an honest man who was keen on business ethics and whose legacy has made the company remain relevant in the market today. He paid attention to customer needs,” she stated after taking over the firm.
But she admits that her hands are not yet full. With the huge demand for their services in the East Africa region, more work lies ahead.
“Necessity is the mother of invention and hard work is next to godliness. We are optimistic to open a new branch in Kampala and Tanzania to serve our clients effectively,’’ she told Business Daily.
It reported sales equivalent to Ksh220 million in the quarter that ended in December 2022.
Besides making profits, Rongai Transport has won numerous awards, including Best Commercial Vehicle Operator, Best Tax Payer Operator in the Rift Valley Province, Comprehensive Workplace Health Programmes, and the Road Safety Awards.
In March 2023, Mauritian conglomerate Rogers Group acquired Rongai Workshop and Transport Limited through one of its subsidiaries Velogic Logistics as part of its regional expansion strategy.
The multinational did not disclose the value of the transaction.
