Africa-Press – Eswatini. R Value Projects is heeding the reviewed National Industrial Policy’s recommendation to diversify as it is the first company to manufacture, supply and install pre- fabricated materials.
Yesterday Small Enterprise Development Company (SEDCO) CEO, Khetsiwe Mhlanga and her staff toured the manufacturing company’s premises at SEDCO in Matsapha.
The tour was led by husband and wife Director team Mkhosi and Nomcelo Dlamini.
Mkhosi showcased their manufacturing process declaring that the assembling machinery cost the company over E 1.2 million. Dlamini explained that the company was established in 2007 as one that focused on strictly on installing, but had recently expanded into manufacturing.
The company offered a wide range of products from the fabricated materials that were manufactured.
“We manufacture and supply insulated panels, fire rated material, process plant, cold/freezer rooms, park homes, mobile kitchens and health facilities but to name a few,” said Dlamini.He said the journey to manufacturing gained momentum about five years ago.
“Five years ago, we had the hope of expanding the company and venture into manufacturing because we faced a lot of challenges,” said Dlamini.
He explained that the challenges emanated from buying the material in South Africa as the client would compare prices and find that R value projects had marked up the price.
“In terms of delivery, it would take us two weeks to a month to get the material locally so we were in dire need of financing,” he said.
Dlamini explained that therefore, over the past five years they had been fighting for funding which they were successful in attaining hence the procurement of the manufacturing equipment which has assisted them to curb the challenges they faced prior.
He stated that another challenge emanated from a lack of understanding of their product which had since changed after gaining the confidence of their customers through their installation service.
“We have since worked with many companies supplying them such as CONCO, Africa Chicks , Cadbury, Mbiveni who recognised our talent and commitment,” he said.
Dlamini explained that the company had more expansion hopes in the further.
“We would like to penetrate the local market and venture out even further to supply the SADC region and over time the international markets,” said Dlamini.
He added that they had identified a gap in the market in Mpumalanga Province where there were no such manufacturers as well as in neighbouring Mozambique. “Currently we have 18 employees, 90 per cent of which are all under 30,” he stated.
He explained that the business was travel-based and was not ideal for a family man or woman, hence their choice of a young human capital.
He explained that because this was untapped territory, he understood that young people had more ability to be diverse. “We also hope that as we continue to capacitate them, they will be able to themselves start their own businesses and maybe find a material that they could potentially supply to us as we well,” said Dlamini.
He thanked SEDCO for the technical support they had received.
“Since our arrival here, you have shown us nothing but love,” he said.
He added that SEDCO provided occupational health and safety capacitation and assisted them every step of the way. SEDCO CEO, Khetsiwe Mhlanga said it was pleasing to see the hard work that was put in growing the small business and venturing into manufacturing.
“It shows that it is possible for Emaswati to diversify as we can see that they create a value chain here,” said Mhlanga. She added that the company was implementing industrialisation within the country, which was pleasing to see.
“What is important is that as much as they source the material outside the country, the finished product is made totally within the country.
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