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Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Business Reporter
ONE of the country’s leading textile companies, Archer Clothing Manufacturers has set sights on recapitalising its diversified leather products operations buoyed by an upsurge in demand for its goods on the export market.
Archer Clothing managing director Mr Jeremy Youmans said the company’s leather products manufacturing business was booming.
The company ventured into leather production in November 2015 as part of a diversification strategy aimed at expanding its business.
“We have doubled the capacity of the leather factory from a machining point of view. We are sourcing some capital equipment which has created a bottleneck in the production process.
“We are looking to further invest $100 000 in capital equipment. We hope to have these commissioned by March and this will then allow the production to increase to full capacity,” said Mr Youmans.
The growth of the leather products business adds to the success story of the company’s revival.
Creditors of Archer Clothing Manufacturers approved its take-over by Harare-based Paramount Garments early in 2015, saving it from liquidation.
The company’s leather factory manufactures a wide range of products including customised material for individual customers.
“We have produced samples of many products for a full range of uses including several sizes of standard and specialist gloves, aprons, spat full leather jackets and pants. It is all within the category of Personal Protective Equipment at the moment. We only use A Grade Zimbabwean ‘wet blue’ leather . . .
“Basically we can manufacture almost anything our customers want, and because of the quality they are at the top end of the market rather than much of the imports which is bottom end and with a lot less durability and therefore of significantly less value,” said Mr Youmans.
He said the company had received numerous orders on the regional market.
“We are processing numerous export orders into the region, mainly South Africa and have already completed many of these. Based on the quality range we are able to compete in these markets and it looks like we will be exporting most, if not all, of the production by the middle of next year,” said Mr Youmans.
He said the leather sector has the potential to grow and improve the country’s economy.
“It (leather sector) is labour intensive and has huge synergies with the dairy and beef sectors and value chains, which need to be maximised. The national herd needs to be developed and this means more hides and more raw materials for the leather sector to take advantage of all the value addition being retained in Zimbabwe. The leather sector can supply a large range of footwear and fashion goods as well as PPE, this includes jackets, trousers, coats, belts, hats among others,” said Mr Youmans.
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