$30m tile, ceramic plant for Norton

07 Oct, 2018 - 00:10 0 Views
$30m tile, ceramic plant for Norton Sunday Mail

The Sunday Mail

Sharon Munjenjema
Government has given the nod to a Chinese investor to begin building a state-of-the-art $30 million tile and ceramic plant in Norton, in a venture expected to create at least 1 700 jobs and lower the cost of building materials.

As part of the deal, 98 percent of the workforce will be Zimbabwean.

The Sunday Mail understands a ground-breaking ceremony to mark official construction has tentatively been set for next week.

The plant will be situated on 100 hectares that have been voluntarily shed-off Mallock Farm, owned by widow of National Hero General Vitalis Zvinavashe, Mrs Margaret Zvinavashe.

In an interview last week, Sunny Yi Feng Tiles Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd vice MD Mr William Gung said, “We have already begun graveling roads and setting bases for the workshop and warehouse of the plant, which will operate at a yearly output capacity of 18 million square metres of tiles against a local demand of approximately five million square metres. Recruitment has also started for staff such as drivers, welders and builders,” he said.

He added that they would promote establishment of related small businesses around the plant.

Tile production will begin by next April with production of porcelain tableware (china ware) marked for December 2019.

This will be Zimbabwe’s first porcelain venture. Africa spends an estimated $3,9 billion importing porcelain yearly. Among the biggest importers are Nigeria, South Africa and Algeria.

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds