Astro Mobile to set up manufacturing factory

Markets
TELECOMMUNICATIONS firm Astro Mobile says it is targeting setting up a manufacturing factory in the next five years as it moves to penetrate the entire Southern Africa region.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS firm Astro Mobile says it is targeting setting up a manufacturing factory in the next five years as it moves to penetrate the entire Southern Africa region.

MTHANDAZO NYONI OWN CORRESPONDENT

The firm’s chief executive officer Munyaradzi Gwatidzo told Southern Eye Business last Friday plans were afoot to set up a local factory plant in Harare that will cater for at least 15 countries in the southern region.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Astro Mobile free carwash event in Bulawayo, Gwatidzo said the establishment of a local plant factory would create more than 5 000 jobs.

“One of our goals in the next five years is to set up a local plant factory in Harare. The plant will see more than 5 000 people being employed. Therefore, we need support from local companies because sometimes they do not co-operate with us.

“Astro is an African brand which people can identify themselves with and it is a brand to serve people. Our devices are tailor made for this environment which made it relevant to local people. For example, we have software that can convert the English Bible into Ndebele or Shona language” he added.

He said when they design their devices they take human approach in order to meet human wants.

“People are much more fascinated about smartphones and we are designing what people want through the use of new information technologies. In events such as this one we get the chance to interact with customers when they are relaxed.

“It is where we get feedback from our clients and it shows that we are here to stay and to save the Bulawayo’s community. It is also a statement that Astro is the brand they should trust always.” Gwatidzo said.

In the event, more than 25 cars were washed for free by Astro mobile employees.

Astro Company has four branches and more than 40 distributers in Zimbabwe. Three branches are in Harare and one in Bulawayo.

It had been in the telecoms about two years now and only established the shop in Bulawayo about five months ago.

It offers different gadgets including smartphones, accessories and spares. In October, Astro mobile launched a Funbook tablet loaded with different features such as Android 4.1.2, pre-installed bible, 8 mega pixel camera, 2 Gig Ram, Quad Core Processor 1 ‘5 GHz, Voice Call Function, Bluetooth 3,0/ WiFi, 8 inch HD screen, application that can open any format of pictures or videos and application for local and international newspapers.