TEXTILE MANUFACTURER TACKLES MARKET WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY
Maun based clothing manufacturer, Imagination Mme Mpep Dressmakers strive to adopt technology and keep up with the market developments as the local textile industry presents more opportunities for business growth.
The company specialises in manufacturing of school uniforms, African Attire, protective clothing, work uniform, bedding, curtains and fashion wear.
Speaking to the Business Trends, Imagination Dressmakers, Manging Director,
Boitumelo Mwamboa said the business which started operating in 2004 is able to keep up with modern changes in the textile industry as they have managed to identify the key market needs and are able to offer quality products that are suitable to the customers’ needs.
Through the assistance of Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) and Tokafala programme, Mwamboa said she has been able to acquire more skills and business management practices which have enabled the business to withstand the challenges of Covid-19. “I have attended workshops and trainings sponsored by LEA and TOKAFALA where we were trained on protective clothing, book keeping, and customer care.”
Mwamboa started the business through her personal savings with further assistance from the Financial Assistance Programme (FAP) in 2004. “When I resigned from work, l went back home and started tailoring at malls in front of shops. l managed to save P15,000.00 and l applied for a grant and FAP gave me a grant to start my own company the amount of P25,000.00. l bought six machines and materials, built an office Warehouse, and l managed to hire six employees.”
She said at the beginning there were few companies, and the market was less saturated but now the competition is way too high and they compete with Chinese shops who sell their goods at lower prices. “It really does affect our market, not to mention COVID-19, sales have declined.” Currently, the company has two young female tailors.
To keep up with the market competition, Imagination Mme Mpep Dressmakers has a face book page where they advertise its products and the WhatsApp number is accessible to customers.
Mwamboa said she has also made relationships and built trust within the community in which she has loyal customers. “We also have some incentives for regular customers who buy in bulk.”
She said some of the challenges they face are the high prices of materials and they hardly make profit due to Covid -19. “Things have changed, running a business is difficult, due to the new Technology and requirements, thus hiring more educated staff.
She said in five years they aim to open a big factory where they will hire about 200 employees. “We actually have a warehouse which just needs renovation and we are good to start.”