Mukwano In TZ Deal
Jan 04, 2004
Companies has opened a new soap factory in Tanzania, in a bid to widen its regional market niche.
By Ricks Kayizzi MUKWANO Group of Companies has opened a new soap factory in Tanzania, in a bid to widen its regional market niche.
Alykhan Karimali (right), the Mukwano Group managing director, said last week the new Dar es Salaam factory is producing soap and edible oil.
He said: “One of the main reasons we are undertaking this expansion strategy is our desire to spread our expenses and risks of production over a wider area. This in the long run will help us become more profitable and socially acceptable.â€
“Ugandan manufactured products are at a disadvantage, even as we move into the East African customs Union. We are mainly infant industries, and can be easily swallowed up in a wider market,†he said in an interview.
He said that the company has charted out a strategy to popularise its products in the region, by opening up as many new manufacturing points as possible.
Karimali said that by June 2004, their Kenyan subsidiary in Mombasa, would also have opened up its doors to cater for Kenyan consumers.
Turning to the domestic scene, he said Mukwano Group have strived to produce good quality and competitive products, at the right prices, so that all Ugandans should be able to afford them.
“Over 10 years ago, all the soap and cooking oil on Uganda’s domestic market used to come from Kenya. But we have managed to turn this situation around, to the extent that we hold a sizable portion of the household goods market in the country,†he said.Ends
Alykhan Karimali (right), the Mukwano Group managing director, said last week the new Dar es Salaam factory is producing soap and edible oil.
He said: “One of the main reasons we are undertaking this expansion strategy is our desire to spread our expenses and risks of production over a wider area. This in the long run will help us become more profitable and socially acceptable.â€
“Ugandan manufactured products are at a disadvantage, even as we move into the East African customs Union. We are mainly infant industries, and can be easily swallowed up in a wider market,†he said in an interview.
He said that the company has charted out a strategy to popularise its products in the region, by opening up as many new manufacturing points as possible.
Karimali said that by June 2004, their Kenyan subsidiary in Mombasa, would also have opened up its doors to cater for Kenyan consumers.
Turning to the domestic scene, he said Mukwano Group have strived to produce good quality and competitive products, at the right prices, so that all Ugandans should be able to afford them.
“Over 10 years ago, all the soap and cooking oil on Uganda’s domestic market used to come from Kenya. But we have managed to turn this situation around, to the extent that we hold a sizable portion of the household goods market in the country,†he said.Ends