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Speaking during a tour of a new Zimtile plant in Harare yesterday, Cifoz president Mr Philip Chiyangwa said the inferior products posed a threat to the viability of the local construction industry.
“We have seen of late an increase on the market of sub-standard construction material such as bricks, roofing sheets and pavers that are constraining the viability of our construction firms,” he said.
Mr Chiyangwa added that a number of these products were not “tried and tested” and as such were potentially harmful.
The liquidity challenge in the local economy has meant that Zimbabwe has become a favoured destination for cheap and sub-standard products across the board.
Weak regulation has also meant that individuals and firms bringing these products into the country are easily flouting anti-dumping laws.
However, the Cifoz president said work on the establishment of an effective legislative framework for the sector is to commence “soon”.
“Drafting of the Construction Industry Council Bill will commence soon. The relevant parties met last week to finalise the processes.”
The law is expected, among other things, to regulate on inferior quality construction products and to harmonise working standards for the respective sub-sectors of the construction industry.
Mr Chiyangwa applauded Zimtile for its new plant, saying it was a testimony to greater developments taking place in the construction industry.
“The growth of the local construction industry must be geared to rolling back the enormous legacy of inadequate infrastructure.
“Unlocking the industry’s potential to address this reinforces the need to stimulate sustainable value chains in the sector,” he said.
Zimtile commissioned its US$2,5 million tile factory in Southerton in January this year.
Construction of the 3 000 square metre factory is currently underway at Zimtile’s Harare plant.
Zimtile managing director Mr Washington Kuwana said the new investment includes the instalment of a state-of-the-art tile manufacturing machine.
“The new state-of-the-art technology, a P-70 model, has doubled production capacity to at least 40 000 tiles per day.
“The new plant will boost Zimtile’s opportunities for growth in the export market,” he said.
The company’s key export markets in the region include Mozambique, Zambia and Botswana.
The US$2,5 million investment is over and above another investment that the company made at its Bulawayo plant to the tune of approximately US$1 million.
Zimtile Bulawayo replaced its 30-year-old concrete roof tile extrusion machine with a state-of-the-art P45HD roof tile extruder, with a production capacity of 26 000 tiles per shift.
Overall, Zimtile has the capacity to produce at least 65 000 tiles per day. Zimtile, a subsidiary of PG Industries, has two major branches in Harare and Bulawayo, and sales offices in Gweru, Mutare and Masvingo.
Online Reporter