PANGKALPINANG - Vehicles take turns waiting in line to fill gallons of water at a water refilling business owned by one of PT Timah Tbk's fostered partners, Haprizal, located in Pangkalpinang City.
Haprizal, the owner of Baim Water, has been in this refill water business for the past 10 years. His tenacity has paid off, and now his re-water business continues to grow. Even though in his journey Haprizal experienced ups and downs in business.
"I have been in this business for almost 10 years. The name of starting a business is definitely not sweet, all bitter. For the beginning, our sacrifices in carrying out this business were extraordinary," he said some time ago.
Moreover, he said, refill water businesses are starting to mushroom in various places. At that time, he, who still had mediocre capital, started a small business. At first, they only served their families, then their neighbors and then they served the community.
According to him, the business he is in can grow rapidly after becoming a fostered partner of PT Timah Tbk through the Micro Small Business Funding (PUMK) program.
“It has been very, very helpful after becoming Timah's foster partner. Especially when we are experiencing difficult times, PT Timah can provide concessions for us in carrying out our obligations," he said.
Thankfully, now his customers have spread to various areas in Pangkalpinang City.
"Of course this is assisted and supported by friends who also help promote our business," he said.
After becoming PT Timah Tbk's foster partner, he was able to add to his fleet. Currently, he already has four operational vehicle units. This also has an impact on increasing the number of turnovers.
"On average, one fleet can supply 200 to 300 gallons of water in a day. Meanwhile, there are 4 units for the fleet itself," he said.
The demand for this refilled water will increase during the dry season, the demand could even double. They can serve refilled water until 21.00 WIB.
"The average turnover generated is in the range of tens of millions for one fleet unit. Even though the volume is small, the consumption is continuous. That is certain because drinking water is the same as food, if people are hungry they will eat, if they are thirsty they will drink," he said.
Haprizal's choice to open a drinking water refill business was the right choice. Because of the business he is in, he does not think too much about operational costs.
“This business may be considered trivial, but for me it is from these trivial things that the gathering is even more promising for the business. For this refill business, the initial capital is indeed large, but after that the operational costs and unforeseen costs are relatively low," he said.
According to him, there are many conveniences in running his business because he gets capital support from PT Timah Tbk. Apart from that, PT Timah Tbk also often conducts coaching.
"PT Timah really gave us flexibility in capital loans, and understood the situation and conditions of us as business people. And what's even better, PT Timah provides a solution for us," he said. (**)
