Filling The African Medical Supplies Gap
Finweek English|22 October 2020
McPherson Trading uses tender-based procurement consulting to fill the medical consumables and disposable supplies gap in difficult-to-reach regions in Africa.
Glenneis Kriel
Filling The African Medical Supplies Gap

In 2017, after the sudden death of his maternal grandfather, Ivor Duncan – the founder and inventor of EmOXTM Oxygen Systems – Tony McPherson, who was then only 17 years old, was appointed as EmOx International’s interim CEO. Coming from a family of serial entrepreneurs, and knowing the business like the back of his hand, McPherson was more than up to the task. After only six months in the position, he managed to settle all the company’s debt, increase profit margins and implement a worldwide sales team, while juggling his school work.

His success led to his permanent employment in the position and turned him into the World’s Youngest CEO of an International Pharmaceutical Company – a title bestowed on him at Informa Market’s Arab Health Conference held in Dubai last year. Having employees, suppliers and clients – many the age of his parents – accept his leadership and authority was one of his hardest initial tasks.

“People tend to think that you don’t know what you are doing because you are younger than them. To overcome this notion, I openly admit that I don’t know everything; we learn something new every day. Once everyone got over the notion that I was younger than what they were used to a CEO being, it created a dynamic and positive energy,” McPherson says.

McPherson Trading

While exporting EmOx products internationally, McPherson became aware of the absence of companies specialising in the procurement of medical consumables and disposables in certain parts of Africa.

Esta historia es de la edición 22 October 2020 de Finweek English.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición 22 October 2020 de Finweek English.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE FINWEEK ENGLISHVer todo
THE HEALTH OF SA'S MEDICAL SCHEMES
Finweek English

THE HEALTH OF SA'S MEDICAL SCHEMES

As the Covid-19 pandemic abates, finweek takes a look at the financial performance of some of the largest players.

time-read
7 minutos  |
5 November 2021
The effect of Gilbertson's departure
Finweek English

The effect of Gilbertson's departure

With Ntsimbintle Holdings now the major shareholder of Jupiter Mines, it could change SA’s manganese industry.

time-read
3 minutos  |
5 November 2021
Making money from music
Finweek English

Making money from music

Why investors are increasingly drawn to the music industry.

time-read
3 minutos  |
5 November 2021
Conviction is key
Finweek English

Conviction is key

Sandy Rheeder plays a critical role in Mukuru’s mission to open up financial services to the emerging consumer market in Africa through tailor-made technology solutions and platforms.

time-read
5 minutos  |
5 November 2021
The post-pandemic toolkit
Finweek English

The post-pandemic toolkit

How CFOs can use technology to support growth.

time-read
4 minutos  |
5 November 2021
Big city living exodus
Finweek English

Big city living exodus

Mini cities like Waterfall City and Steyn City are redefining city-style apartment living.

time-read
3 minutos  |
5 November 2021
Big compact, big value
Finweek English

Big compact, big value

Handsome, with a hefty level of standard specification, the roomy Haval Jolion compact crossover is a great value proposition.

time-read
3 minutos  |
5 November 2021
On barriers to entry
Finweek English

On barriers to entry

There are various ways in which a company or sector can achieve competitive dominance. They usually make for good investments.

time-read
2 minutos  |
5 November 2021
Fear and greed in one index
Finweek English

Fear and greed in one index

To buck the trend, when markets are hot or cold, is a tough thing to do. However, it can deliver solid returns.

time-read
3 minutos  |
5 November 2021
Africa's largest data centre facility coming soon
Finweek English

Africa's largest data centre facility coming soon

Vantage Data Centers plans to invest over R15bn for its first African data centre facility in Attacq’s Waterfall City.

time-read
3 minutos  |
5 November 2021