Story by Owen Mandovha, Business Reporter
The cement industry is set for transformation and increased output to meet national demand after a local cement firm successfully rebranded following its acquisition by a local business consortium.
Ownership of key means of production by indigenous Zimbabweans is continuing and this time cement manufacturing giant Lafarge which has been operating in the country for over seven decades has changed its name to Khayah cement in one of the biggest deals of the year 2022 after the purchase of the company by a local business consortium.
At a colourful ceremony to mark its new journey held at the company’s head offices in Harare this Thursday, newly appointed chief executive officer Mr Innocent Chikwata laid out the company’s vision in transforming the local cement industry.
“We are now on a new trajectory and we have refocused our business operations since the new owners have taken a robust business plan whereby we are looking at increasing production to 40 000 tonnes per month,” Mr Chikwata said.
Veteran industrialist and Khayah Cement board chairperson Kumbirai Katsande said the transition to local hands will bring fortunes to the country’s development in terms of infrastructure development.
“Khaya means Home and we have come home to change the landscape of the cement industry. We have a strong vision to be partners with the Government in providing cement to the construction industry. Today is truly a beginning of a remarkable journey for the country and our customers as well as staff,” he noted.
The local community is also excited by what the company has done in a short space of time since the change of ownership by giving back to the community through road rehabilitation.
A motorist told the ZBC News, “Khaya Cement has impressed us by rehabilitation of this stretch which was impassable, and we owe it to their work and now we can travel well.”
Khaya Cement management has vowed to improve plant operational efficiencies targeting a monthly cement production of 40 000 tonnes from the current 20 000.
