Prin Mudaly

Prin Mudaly, Group CEO of the Drakewoods  Group, is committed to protecting and  strengthening a legacy built over more than  six decades, while guiding the company into a  new phase of growth. Drakewoods is a tool wholesale and retail business  that specialises in supplying specialised engineering  tools, machinery and consumables to sectors such as  manufacturing, construction and engineering. Over  the years Drakewoods has built a reputation as a  trusted link between global manufacturers and local  users who depend on reliable equipment. With the company now more than 65 years old,   Prin’s focus is on expanding its reach while  remaining true to the principles that have defined  it for decades. 

COMMITMENT AND RESILIENCE

Prin’s path into the company was shaped by  circumstances that demanded both commitment  and resilience. After completing a BCom degree  at the then University of Durban Westville, he  had anticipated pursuing a conventional career.  Instead, his father’s illness changed the direction  of his life. “My father fell ill 35 years ago and I had  no choice but to get involved in the business,” Prin  recalls. “He semi-retired at that point and I’ve been  here ever since.” Although he did not have an engineering quali fication, Prin quickly immersed himself in the  technical environment of the industry. “There is a  huge technical aspect to what we do,” he explains.  “Over the past 35 years we have learned a lot from  our customers, from our client base and from the  technical schools, that we have worked with.”  Of note supporting technical schools is a  Drakewoods’ passion. Prin commented, “The  education of our youth is very important and we  take that very seriously.” He often works with  suppliers and manufacturers to help make tools   and equipment more affordable for these institutions. Like many students, Prin’s earliest working  experiences were modest. “My very first job was at  Drakewoods,” he says. “But while I was at university,  I also did the odd job. I was a waiter. Everybody  starts somewhere.” When he officially joined the business, Drakewoods  was operating in a very different era. Systems were  manual and administration was limited. “My father  was a trader,” Prin explains. “He knew how to buy  and sell, but the administration side of the business  was lacking. When I came in, we had to put processes  in place to refine the business,” he says. “Back then  computers were unheard of. We used invoice books.  My value add was bringing in computer systems,  putting our stock onto the system and creating a  database of our clients. From there we grew.” 

LEADERSHIP, SACRIFICE AND INSPIRATION 

Despite his leadership position, Prin is quick to  emphasise that Drakewoods’ success has never  been the result of one individual. “I don’t like  speaking about myself,” he commented. “This has  been a joint effort. There has been a lot of sacrifice  as a family to get where we are today.” Prin runs the  business alongside his brother, Thaven, who serves  as chief operating officer. “My father entrusted  his legacy to my brother and I,” he says. “That is  something we take very seriously.” Equally important is the responsibility the  leadership team feels toward their employees.   Many employees have spent decades with the  business, something Prin believes reflects the  culture built within the organisation. “When you  look at the collective service of our staff, it is well  over 200 years.” “My father was very clear that there could only be  one boss,” Prin explains. “That discipline is still very  much part of how we run the business today.”  He  added, “My parents played a huge role in shaping  us. The values and the work ethic we live by come  from them. We try to live our lives by doing good and  being good.” One of the most difficult challenges along the  journey has been financial discipline. “We have not  come from wealth,” he says. “We’ve created our own  wealth.” For a tool distribution business, holding  sufficient inventory is essential but costly. “Banks  don’t fund stock, and in our industry, stock is crucial,”  Prin explains. “If you don’t have stock, you don’t sell.”  Building the inventory base the company now holds  required years of careful planning and sacrifice. Beyond business, Prin draws inspiration from the  people closest to him. His late wife, Kesh, played a  profound role in his life and the company’s growth.  “When my journey began, I met Kesh,” he says. “She  has been my rock. Together we built what you see  today,” he says. “She provided an energy that very  few people experience.” 

VISION FOR DRAKEWOODS

Operating a business in KwaZulu-Natal presents  its own set of challenges, however Prin remains  deeply committed to growing Drakewoods locally.  The strategy involves creating two distinct divisions  within the company. One will supply quality branded  product to the manufacturing sector, construction  industry and engineering companies and the second  will focus on retail customers. A key part of this strategy is bringing products  closer to customers. “In the past we mainly operated  through trade counters,” he says. “Now we want  customers to be able to walk into a store, touch the  products and understand the brands.” This includes  plans to open a large retail outlet in Durban.  The company has also expanded into new retail  segments, including outdoor power equipment.  “We expanded our Stihl store brand and opened  a new store on Bluff Road in August 2025,” he  explains. “We also plan to open two more stores on  the north coast.” For Prin, his goal is simple. “We are a volume-driven  business and we are passionate about bringing cost  savings to industry and to retail,” he explains.  Despite the scale of the company’s ambitions, Prin  continues to live by a straightforward philosophy.  “The motto we live by is simple,” he says. “To do good  and be good. We don’t always know what people are  going through,” he reflects. “When you are kind and  offer a helping hand, people remember that. And  that is very important