Construction sector smiling

BRICK and tile manufacturing giant – Beta Holdings -has injected US$16 million to expand operations which will see the company producing 400 million bricks per year, up from 200 million produced last year.

Beta Holdings group chief executive officer Mr Godfrey Manhambara said Beta Bricks recently acquired a US$9,5 million specials plant which will be commissioned in June this year.

The new state-of-the-art equipment, which will sit on a 120 hectare, will double the current brick manufacturing capacity.

“The company is increasing production capacity so that we meet market demand, especially during the wet season (between January and March). Under the new political dispensation, we expect infrastructure development, hence there will be a huge demand for bricks, therefore, we are investing in new technologies to increase production capacity,” said Mr Manhambara.

The company has also invested US$6,3 million to mine quarry stone along the Harare-Shamva Road.

Mr Manhambara said the mining of quarry stone, which is expected to last for the next 75-100 years, will form part of Beta Holdings one-stop shop objective as the company targets to sell construction material.

“We will launch the quarry stone plant soon as we are busy finalising the modalities on the 100-hectare registered claim. About US$6,3 million has been invested in the new plant, which will create about 100 jobs,” said Beta Holdings group CEO.

The group’s subsidiary, Beta Concrete, has also invested about US$1,2 million in acquiring cement brick manufacturing equipment from South Africa.

“The new plant is currently under trial runs and it will be commission in the coming weeks. The cement bricks, which are used to pave driveways, are being produced at our Masasa factory,” said Mr Manhambara.