Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
EDGARS Limited’s manufacturing division, Carousel, is basking in the positive spin-offs of a high-profile visit by President Mnangagwa earlier this year, with key operational bottlenecks now significantly eased, paving the way for a robust retooling and production surge.
The head of State toured the Belmont-based factory in February and expressed satisfaction with the production processes taking place at Carousel Manufacturing.
The firm has injected approximately US$1,2 million into procuring state-of-the-art machinery as part of an aggressive retooling drive.
On Friday, a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, led by Deputy Minister Dr Omphile Marupi and Director of Media Services, Mr George Chisoko, toured the plant to assess progress.
The visit offered Government officials a first-hand appreciation of how private-sector-led innovation, backed by clear policy support, is propelling the manufacturing sector forward.
Carousel managing director, Mr Menfree Tanyanyiwa, said President Mnangagwa’s visit unlocked several transformative benefits for the company, most notably the resolution of the longstanding electricity supply challenges.
“As Carousel, we were facing several operational challenges that included electricity availability and access to funds to boost our re-tooling process,” said Mr Tanyanyiwa.
“However, we are extremely grateful in that a week after President Mnangagwa’s tour early this year, we saw multiple positive spin-offs.”
He said the firm now enjoys a 99 percent electricity availability rate owing to commitments secured from Zesa.
“Electricity challenges have been sorted out and we now enjoy about 99 percent availability. We were able to get assurance of stable supply of electricity from Zesa. We are grateful in that we are now able to do our work unhindered,” said Mr Tanyanyiwa.
He added that improved access to funding and raw materials has catalysed a sharp increase in production.
“Another high-impact spin-off is that of re-tooling funds and the importation of fabric,” he said.
“Following President Mnangagwa’s visit we were able to access some funding to procure machinery that has enhanced production levels. We are producing in the region of 45 000 units per month.
“We expect the targets to improve to about 65 000 units per month. The overall target is to get to 100 000 units per month.”
He noted that the firm can easily go back to the 1999 levels of producing 100 000 units.
Mr Tanyayiwa further revealed that duty-free importation of fabric, a direct policy incentive, has played a crucial role in reducing input costs.
“We now import fabric duty-free. That policy has been instrumental, and we hope it becomes permanent,” he said.
Mr Tanyanyiwa added that the re-tooling process is ongoing, with a technical team undergoing training in Italy.
“Re-tooling is ongoing. We have a team that is in Italy training, and it’s one of the spin-offs from His Excellency’s visit,” he said.
Carousel, which supplies Edgars, Jet, and Express Stores across the country, also caters for export markets and is positioning itself as a key player in the national drive to revive local manufacturing.
