Group Overview
Kapinga Rolling Thunder (KRT) group is a diversified agricultural company that is based in Mazabuka – Zambia. Our shareholders are majority Zambian. KRT is by Zambians for Zambians. The group has a proud history dating back 44 years with its main roots primarily focused on agricultural production and logistics. Our long-term sustainability has been built on the strong VALUES established by our founding directors.
The group’s strategy is to be the market leader in the Zambian agricultural sector whilst diversifying into new and exciting industries that are specialized and sustainable. We are always willing to form new partnerships with like-minded companies that are able to add value to the group’s operation through specific expertise or scale or marketing.
The KRT group holds its core VALUES in high regard. This is everything. And even more so today in an ever changing world.
Our History
Doug and Sonia Cantlay (founding directors) have lived in Zambia for more than 70 years. Their passion and commitment to Zambia, through periods of strict foreign exchange controls, commercial bank interest exceeding 150% and significant local currency devaluation, has resulted in the establishment and strong foundation of the group today. Although Doug and Sonia farmed on a smaller scale in the early years on their farm Kapinga, the real origins of the groups growth came via Rolling Thunder International Ltd (RTI). RTI was established in December 1992 as a transport company operating throughout Southern Africa from second-hand trucks purchased on auction. In 1997, RTI began focusing on cane haulage, and now specialises in loading and transporting sugar cane from customers’ farms to Zambia Sugar Nakambala Mill in Mazabuka. As the RTI business matured, the Cantlay family invested in other companies that were agriculturally focused. 2007 was the first step in diversifying the business with establishment of the maize milling business (Kapinga Milling Ltd.) and the construction of the residential property estate (Tanderra Ridge). In 2014 the group took on an ambitious task of developing a 1,800 ha centre pivot irrigated farm that required water to be sourced 14 kms away from the Kafue River. The project was successfully completed in 2016 and today is recognized as a best in class farm producing high yielding crops. Other recent notable investments included the established of two retail businesses being a local abattoir – Eco Beef (2015) and more recently the opening of a leading Zambian retail business – Livestock Services (2020).
Our People
PEOPLE are EVERYTHING. We aim to be a flat non-hierarchical organization that is diverse and inclusive that will deliver results. This is how we live and what we respect.
To achieve superior performance in the challenging business environments that we operate, skilled and dedicated staff are required. KRT is focused on instilling a talent management mindset and culture within our organization with our main focus being to train local Zambian staff into management positions. The group currently employs over 1,300 local Zambians, many of which have had family members working for us for at least 3 generations, in various fields including: administration, operations, accounting, mechanical and management which are all vital to our companies’ success.
KRT is also committed to the intensive development and training of all our staff in safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) as well as their relevant fields of technical expertise.
Our Executives
The KRT Executive Team come from diverse cultural, management and educational backgrounds with all of them holding a stake in the business (Skin in the game). Their combined experience exceeds 150 years and it is the hope of the directors to utilize the diverse experience to assist them in making the best decisions for the future. Therefore, having a full tool belt and utilizing the correct tool for the problem rather then making the problem fit the tool.
Our Executives:
- Brendon B Cantlay – Executive Chairman
- Douglas H Cantlay – Executive Director (Founder)
- Chucky D Cantlay – Operations
- Alex Best – Finance
- Clinton Bruyns – Operations
- Gareth Finnemore – Commercial
- Bruce Fraser – Operations
“To a man with only a hammer, every problem looks like a nail”
Charles T Munger – Berkshire Hathaway Vice Chairman
“Without good people you don’t have a good business”
Douglas Cantlay – Founder
KRT Group. 