Business hardens for Clay Products

roll holder, soap dishes but we had to close it about nine years ago because of challenges with the machinery,” said Mr Chireshe.

He said the company was seeking protectionism from Government in the wake of an influx of cheap imported refractory bricks mostly from Botswana and China.

“There are companies that do bring in their own products from the countries, which they originate from. Of course, they will say to them it makes economic sense because they are getting them cheaper but we would prefer them to support local industry.

“If the Government could protect us through import restrictions because we are the only big company in the industry and we are supporting a lot of families downstream,” said Mr Chireshe.

The company sources its clay from Lupane’s Gwayi area and Chiredzi and coal from Hwange. It also imports some of its raw materials from South Africa.

“Most of the raw materials are obtained locally, but we do import some aspects of the monolithic that we use. Mostly for the bricks everything is locally sourced in terms of the raw materials,” said Mr Chireshe.

At its peak, the company used export to most countries in the Southern African region but has over the years lost virtually all its market.

“We last exported at the beginning of last year to Botswana and since that time we haven’t managed to secure any orders on the export market but we are hopeful because we are still getting inquiries here and there…We also used to export to South Africa, Namibia and DRC ,” said Mr Chireshe.

The company used to employ more than 400 workers but the workforce is now down to 89.

@DNsingo