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Simba Jemwa, Business Correspondent
AN apparel manufacturing start-up with a particular bias towards corporate and sportswear has been launched in Bulawayo as efforts to revive industry in the city gathers momentum.
The entrepreneurial establishment of Zannex Ultra International (Pvt) Ltd, and planned expansion comes at a time when there is talk of breathing life into the manufacturing industry where public and private players have been urged to play ball.
Speaking to Sunday News Business last Tuesday, Zannex Ultra general-manager Ms Samantha Tembo said their core business was to supply a wide range of quality clothing products and services to the business community, focusing on different industrial sectors that have specialised divisions.
She said the new company was confident of surviving and would focus on the manufacture and supply of corporate wear, protective wear, branding, sportswear and sports equipment.
“We understand that we are entering into a very competitive market but given our key product and service lines, we believe we will be able to not just survive but grow as a business over the next few years,” Ms Tembo said.
“Our vision is to grow the Zannex Ultra brand beyond tomorrow and turn it into a brand that spells trustworthiness, sincerity and a solid reputation.”
The clothing market has struggled over the last few years due to the high influx of second-hand clothing smuggled into the country.
However, the Zannex general manager remains confident that in spite of this challenge in the sector, they had developed a business model good enough to sustain itself.
“We know that the industry is heavily challenged by the influx of second-hand clothing, but we in turn feel that we have done enough to develop a business model that will not just ensure our survival but aid our growth as well,” Ms Tembo said.
“While the second-hand clothing trend appears to be driven by affordability, especially now, during the Covid-19 crisis consumers have not only reduced their consumption of non-essential items like clothing, but are buying more quality garments over cheap, disposable attire, we feel that our products are priced for this market and will allows us to compete with second-hand clothing.”
While second-hand clothing has long been perceived as worn out and tainted, mainly sought by bargain or treasure hunters, this perception has changed and Zannex enters the market when many consumers consider second-hand clothing to be of identical or even superior quality to new clothing.
A trend of “fashion flipping” — or buying second-hand clothes and reselling them — has also emerged, particularly among young consumers.
Zannex is gearing up to jump start its entry into the sector and gain a substantial stake in the market as a competitive player in the domestic and international markets with strategic initiatives, projects and partnerships involving key players, manufacturers and stakeholders underway. – @RealSimbaJemwa.
Online Reporter