Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Business Hub
LEADING clothing manufacturer Paramount Garments and Exports’ recovery is progressing well, following the extensive damage from a fire outbreak two years ago, with the company now producing 250 000 units per month.
The fire outbreak at the firm’s Harare warehouse in December 2023 damaged US$25 million worth of stock.
The company has also escalated its dispute with insurer Alliance Insurance to the High Court, demanding enforcement of a commitment to rebuild the damaged Southerton factory.
Founded in 1948, the company operates under Paramount Archer in Bulawayo and Paramount Garments Works and Paramount Elastics and Tapes in Harare.
Speaking at the recently held Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners Conference, Mr Tonderai Kunyaye from Paramount Garments and Exports, said the company continued to service its key markets.
“We are currently servicing industries that include mining, hospitality, logistics, security and agriculture. Our factories produce 250 000 units per month and have a capacity of 360 000.
“We ensure that there is no compromise to quality, there is flexibility in production with high quality focus and control over delivery lead times,” he said.
The company also makes garments for Engelbert Strauss, Europe’s number one workwear brand.
“This is a testament to the pride that we take in delivering world-class service and our warehouse is stocked with catalogued call lines,” Mr Kunyaye said.
He said they offered several custom design services for clients who want unique products, incorporating specific brand identity. The company says its garments are functional, durable, comfortable and fit for purpose.
Mr Kunyaye said Paramount Garments and Exports has become a leading manufacturer of protective clothing as well as a leading distributor of workwear safety products such as personal protective equipment (PPE) for the country’s growing mining sector, a major contributor to the economy.
“Besides our local dominance, more than 50 percent of our production is exported into the region and to Europe. Our factories are compliant and registered under the United Nations (UN) Global Compact and strive to uphold the 10 principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption.
“As Paramount group of companies, we believe in unlocking mutually beneficial value and its fair exchange with all our stakeholders. We are contributing to small-scale miners’ operations in partnership with ZMF while delivering dependable and very affordable quality PPE,” he added.
Paramount Garments’ production capacity is among the largest in the region, supported by two modern factories: Paramount Garment Works in Harare and Archer Clothing in Bulawayo.
With an installed capacity of 61 production lines capable of producing 4,250,000 garments annually, they are currently utilising 47 lines, producing 3,275,000 garments per year, with a skilled workforce of 2,700 dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
Paramount serves a wide range of markets both locally and internationally. In Zimbabwe, they are the leading workwear brand and their Javlin Workwear brand has become a market leader in South Africa.
“Internationally, they manufacture workwear for Engelbert Strauss, Europe’s top workwear brand, based in Germany.
The conference, strategically positioned as the closing conference of the prestigious Mining, Engineering and Transport exhibition (Mine Entra) 2025 Expo, was held under the theme: “Shaping the Future of Small-Scale Mining in Zimbabwe; A Conference for Change.”
The mining sector remains the bedrock of Zimbabwe’s economy. It continues to be the largest contributor to export earnings and its role in employment creation is immense, employing tens of thousands and supporting the livelihoods of over half a million artisanal and small-scale miners.
derick.khumalo