BULAWAYO – Zimtile, a PG Industries subsidiary, plans to grow its exports to 20% of total volumes by year-end, driven by high demand of its tiles in foreign markets, an official said on Friday.
Zimtile managing director, Wellington Kuwana said that exports currently constitutes 10% of volumes, but demand for tiles, mainly from Zambia and Mozambique was high and the company plans to venture into Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Huge potential exists in the region which we want to utilise and already our brand is becoming a household name in (Zambia and Mozambique).
“Currently we are producing 35 000 tiles per day but after we have upgraded our Bulawayo plant we will be able to produce 65 000 tiles per day,” Kuwana said.
The Zimbabwean market, he said, was difficult, with no major construction projects going on as most are on hold due to lack of funding.
He said the drive to increase exports would compensate for low local business and help overcome the shortage of working capital.
Kuwana said Zimtile plans to set up smaller operating units in major towns and centres and add new products to its current range.
The company installed a new plant in 2011 at a cost of $2,5 million and reduced production costs by half.
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Zimtile has been in existence since 1957.
— The Source
