KZN Leaders

SHABIR TAYOB is passionate about living the BMW brand, which is one of the most recognisable brands in the world.

Shabir stepped into the BMW scene in 2007, buying a small share of 8,5% in the then Supertech Durban Dealership. With a vision of growth, and corporate culture, Shabir purchased 100% in 2012 and since then, has grown the group from one dealership, to six in the space of three years. The Group now has a staff complement of over 350 people, with dealerships in Durban, Pinetown, Pietermaritzburg, Newcastle, Shelly Beach and East London. Supertech has developed into a formidable brand and has become a household name.

Shabir was born in Pietermaritzburg. Born into a family that owned a transport company, he is one of five children. His childhood values are that of humility and respect.

Talking about his early days, Shabir said he was always business minded and developed an early interest in working and making money. "I started working at the age of 15 years old, I held a part time job at my father's transport company and was earning R1000 a month. I saved some money and bought an arcade machine for R2000. I then made a deal with a local store to split the profits of the arcade machine." A short while later, Shabir owned 20 arcade machines, which were all generating profit. This basic concept of business set the tone in his business life.

Shabir said that he got into the business of BMW due to an opportunity that was presented to him. "In 2007, I attended a BMW X5 launch at the Supertech dealership. While sharing a coke with the owner of the dealership at that time Mr Dada, I was asked if I wanted to buy a share." Shabir jokingly said "why not". The next day he received a call from Mr Dada asking him if he was serious.

Serious he was and he took his first steps into the BMW world by being part of a company of six people that purchased 49% of the share, equating to 8.25% shareholding each. At the outset there was strong vision of growth and development and in 2012, he bought 100 percent shareholding in Supertech. A year later, he opened the new state-of-the-art, world class dealership in Edwin Swales, regarded by many as the flagship dealership in the country.

In 2015, Supertech purchased the BMW dealership in Newcastle, making it a group. Three years later, the Group had acquired five vehicle dealerships, as well as a bike dealership. Furthermore, the Supertech Group has recently opened a new state-of-the-art dealership in Pinetown.

In 2019, Shabir and the Supertech team ventured beyond the borders of KZN, and opened Supertech East London in the Eastern Cape. In addition, the Group have opened the first Approved Repair Centre (ARC) in Pietermaritzburg, taking the total of Supertech ARCs to three.

Looking at the forces that keep him inspired and motivated, Shabir said that his ultimate inspiration comes from his dad, his mentor who kept him grounded. "I worked with my dad closely for 20 years in the transport business. One thing he taught me was that in order to be successful, I needed to be passionate, motivated and dedicated. These qualities make a successful man, not money."

"I also have a very committed staff team that share my vision and passion." He said he is very fortunate to have a strong hardworking son M Ubaid Tayob that has taken the reigns of the company from an operational level as the Group's managing director. Shabir added that he was motivated by thinking constantly of the staff employed at Supertech. "I am feeding over 500 families which is a huge responsibility."

He concluded that leaving a legacy, which is what defines a true leader, was additional motivation to succeed.