Ghana Report

InterviewsJune 05, 2023

Mukesh Thakwani Talks Latest Developments at B5 Plus, the Largest Steel Producer in West Africa

Mukesh Thakwani, Founder and CEO of B5 Plus Ltd

: Written by Sandra Francisco; Published: June 05, 2023

Interview with Mukesh Thakwani, Founder and CEO of B5 Plus Ltd

What are the recent developments in B5 Plus since January, and what have been the major happenings so far?

We are expanding into the manufacturing of other steel products at B5 Plus and will be starting our section mill from the next quarter in 2023. Additionally, we will soon be starting our grinding media ball mill as well. These are two new developments; however, electricity supply remains the biggest challenge faced by B5 Plus. Recently, we installed the largest substation at our new Larkpleku site as a solution, but it still needs to be connected. Once we are able to connect the substation, we believe we will be able to produce more steel right here in Ghana.

What impact will the two new projects have on the market?

B5 Plus is currently capable of producing wire rods and rebars from scrap metal, as well as products such as sections, angles, channels, U beams, round bars, and square bars. By expanding its production capabilities to include grinding media balls, B5 Plus will be able to increase its production and offer more goods locally in Ghana. This will help to reduce the need for imported finished products from around the world, ultimately enabling B5 Plus to become a net exporter, producing not only for the Ghanaian market but for the entire West African market.

Will B5 Plus be able to increase production not only for the Ghanaian market but also for the entire West African market by re-exporting to countries where it is not currently producing?

We are not producing hot rolling products, but instead, we are producing cold rolling products. However, we will be adding hot rolling products to our production line, which will result in an increase in the number of products we produce. This increase in production will surpass the production of neighboring countries, giving us an additional advantage.

Can you provide information about your company's size and rank in comparison to your competitors?

B5 Plus is significantly ahead of its competition in the entire West African market. Currently, B5 Plus offers more than 4000 different products and has over 2000 distributors throughout West Africa. This makes B5 Plus the largest steel producer and distributor in the West African market.

What are your plans for the rest of the year? Do you have any major projects or adventures lined up?

Our main priority right now is to request the government to expedite the installation of electricity that has already been brought to our premises. This will enable us to increase our production capacity and manufacture more goods. Unfortunately, the current electricity supply from ECG is insufficient, which is limiting our production capabilities.

Could you elaborate on B5 Plus's long-term goals and what you hope to achieve in the next five years?

B5 Plus aims to achieve backward integration by producing steel in Ghana and manufacturing all our products locally. We want to eliminate the need for importing materials. For instance, B5 Plus established PEB engineering to produce pre-engineered building products, and within four years, we started exporting to the entire West African market. We have supplied pre-engineered buildings to Senegal, Togo, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and other countries. Therefore, B5 Plus has the potential to manufacture products not just for Ghana but for the entire West African market. I would also like to use this opportunity to urge the government to impose an immediate ban on importing materials that we can produce here in Ghana. This would save millions of dollars in foreign currency, preserve jobs and create new employment opportunities.

What legacy do you aspire to leave behind once you retire? You have dedicated your time and effort to building this company, so what do you hope to achieve as your final accomplishment?

It would bring us immense pleasure and satisfaction to produce everything here in Ghana, creating thousands of jobs and making a positive impact on society by keeping the production within the country and saving millions of dollars in foreign currency, uplifting the lives of people within the community but also contribute towards the nation. We are proud to say that B5 Plus is making significant contributions towards society in many ways. Currently, B5 Plus is directly or indirectly responsible for the livelihoods of 15,000 people. The company is also committed to corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and is one of the biggest taxpayers in its segment. During the COVID pandemic, B5 Plus opened its doors to private and government hospitals, providing them with free oxygen, PPTs, and food packages. In this way, the company made a positive impact on society and donated to various organizations.

Is there anything else you would like to add to what you have already said?

I would like to emphasize the importance of believing in products made right here in Ghana. B5 Plus. Be strong.

CONTACT DETAILS

WEBSITE: www.b5plus.com

ADDRESS: Kpone Barrier, Aflao Road, Opp. Kingdom Transport, Tema, Ghana

CONTACT: (+233) 244 331 635 / (+233) 244 342 600 / (+233) 244 333 511 / (+233) 544 313 204

EMAILS: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MORE ABOUT B5 PLUS

INTERVIEWS:
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COMPANY PROFILE:
• B5 Plus Ltd: Manufacturing and Trading of Iron and Steel Products in Ghana and West Africa

EXECUTIVE PROFILE:
• Mukesh Thakwani, Founder of B5 Plus, the Leading Steel Manufacturing Company in Ghana

CORPORATE STORY:
• B5 Plus: Best Steel Manufacturing, Pre-Engineering Fabrication and Trading Company in Ghana

VIDEOS:
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• B5 Plus: An Overview of the Iron and Steel Industry in Ghana and West Africa
• B5 Plus: Mukesh Thakwani Discusses the Impacts of COVID on the Iron and Steel Sector in Ghana
• Giving Back to Society: A Priority for Mukesh Thakwani, Founder and CEO of B5 Plus Ltd
• B5 Plus: Bringing Quality Steel Products at a Competitive Price to the Consumer's Doorstep
• Iron and Steel Industry in Ghana and West Africa: B5 Plus, A Journey to Success
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• Government Should Prioritize Products Made in Ghana, says Business Leader Mukesh Thakwani
• B5 Plus: Mukesh Thakwani Talks Competitive Advantages and Cheap Imports Coming to Ghana
• B5 Plus: Founder and CEO Mukesh Thakwani Mentions Latest Awards and Talks Future Plans
• B5 Plus: A Global Steel Giant and Market Leader in Ghana and West Africa Since 2002
• B5 Plus: Revolutionizing Ghana’s Steel Industry and Championing Local Manufacturing in West Africa
• Mukesh Thakwani Shares B5 Plus’ Impactful Journey of Job Creation and Social Responsibility

LATEST NEWS:
• COVID-19: B5 Plus Limited is Offering Free Medical Oxygen Refilling to Hospitals in Ghana
• One-District-One-Factory: President Akufo-Addo Commissions Phase One of B5 Plus Steel Plant
• Ghana Industry: Leading Steel Manufacturer B5 Plus Limited Wins Two Prestigious Awards
• Ghana CEO Excellence Awards: Mukesh Thakwani of B5 Plus Named CEO of the Decade
• Millennium Excellence Awards: Steel Manufacturer B5 Plus Named CSR Company of the Year
• Ghana Steel Industry: Mukesh Thakwani of B5 Plus Awarded Iconic Industrialist of the Decade
• B5 Named Platinum Economic Pillar and Outstanding Steel Manufacturing Company of The Year
• Leading Steel Manufacturer B5 Plus Wins Over 30 Prestigious Awards in Less Than a Year
• Over 100 Hospitals Benefitting From B5 Plus Free Oxygen Initiative to Help Fight COVID-19
• Mukesh Thakwani Honored for Outstanding Contribution to the Economic Development
• B5 Plus Recognised for its Tremendous Impact on the Steel Manufacturing Industry in Ghana
• B5 Plus Group: Mukesh Thakwani Felicitated with Global Leader of the Year 2021-22 Awards
• Ghana Steel Industry: B5 Plus Receives Awards for its Investments and CSR Initiatives
• B5 Plus: Transforming Ghana’s Steel Industry and Driving Economic Growth Through 1D1F Initiative
• Ghana Club 100 Awards: B5 Plus Secures 27th Position and Ranks 4th in the Manufacturing Sector

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