Zimglass mulls switching to gas powered furnaces

Lovemore Zigara Midlands Correspondent
INTERMITTENT power supply caused by load shedding have forced the country’s sole flint glass manufacturer, Zimbabwe Glass Industries, (Zimglass) to consider switching to gas powered furnaces.The firm suspended production last year owing to a plethora of challenges — among them lack of working capital, high interest rates for loans and alleged mismanagement.

The company is now under judicial management and Winsley Militala of Petwin Executor and Trust, has been appointed the judicial manager to oversee revival of the container glassmaker.

Zimglass acting chief executive officer Gilbert Tapfuma said despite the company entering into an agreement with power utility, Zesa, to ensure uninterrupted supplies to the company, power blackouts had contributed to Zimglass’ demise as this severely affected the quality of products.

“The issue of electricity supply once we open will be important, hence we’ll negotiate the same deal with Zesa of having a dedicated line for Zimglass. However, there are no guarantees that we won’t have power outages, which resultantly affect the quality of glass since the furnaces should be lit for the rest of their five- year lifespan.

“We’re therefore considering adopting gas fired furnaces to overcome this challenge. This will, however, depend on the available funds if an investor comes on board as this will entail changing the whole plant technological set up,” said Tapfuma.

Zimglass, a wholly owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) entity, needs at least $6 million to resuscitate operations.

The company manufactures glass packaging material for alcoholic and sparkling beverages, food, liquor and pharmaceutical segments.

Its major domestic customers include Delta Beverages, Mutare Bottling Company, African Distillers, Olivine Industries and Datlabs.

SABMiller is one of the glassmaker’s product buyers in the region.

The closure of Zimglass has resulted in some customers sourcing container glass from as far as Egypt and the Middle East.