Hilmax eyes regional markets

SAMANTHA MADE

Hilmax Engineering, which recently exited receivership,has set its sights firmly on regional expansion, Business Times can report.

The bold vision, announced by the company’s Managing Director, Shephard Kembo, comes after Hilmax successfully emerged from corporate rescue, a period that had been marked by financial strain and uncertainty.

The company now believes its future is no longer about survival but about building regional dominance.

“Our trajectory is no longer about recovery, it is about growth acceleration.

Hilmax Engineering is positioning itself as a regional engineering powerhouse, anchored in Zimbabwe but scaling into the SADC market. We are transitioning from a company that was defending market share to one that is creating new markets, through advanced engineering solutions, deeper mining partnerships, and technology-enabled services,” Kembo said.

He stressed that the group’s new direction is not simply about expansion, but about redefining the role of an engineering company in Southern Africa.

“Hilmax Engineering will be an engineering solutions integrator, not just a supplier, with capabilities spanning mining energy, infrastructure, and green industries.”

This transformation aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader economic ambitions.

The government has consistently highlighted the need for robust engineering expertise to achieve Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). Hilmax’s pivot into advanced engineering and regional partnerships, therefore, dovetails with the national agenda of industrial modernization and infrastructure development.

A key driver of Hilmax’s new growth thrust is its ownership structure. The company is now majority-owned by Kushi Green Energy Technologies, a subsidiary of Globavel International. According to Kembo, this partnership provides both the capital base and the strategic foresight required to accelerate growth.

“The acquisition by Kushi Green Energy Technologies, itself a subsidiary of Globavel International, gives us the two things that matter most in scaling: capital depth and strategic capacity. We are not just financed—we are backed by a group that understands industrial revitalization, energy transition, and infrastructure growth in Africa. That positions Hilmax to expand services, modernize operations, and capture high-value projects in mining, energy, and construction,” Kembo explained.

He added: “Kushi gives us the capital stability of a long-term investor and the strategic foresight of a regional industrial player.”

This backing allows Hilmax to pursue its expansion without overexposing itself to debt risk. “We have introduced strict project-based budgeting, cash flow controls, and margin-focused pricing.

The capital injection from Kushi Green Energy gives us the liquidity to invest in capacity expansion without over-leveraging. In parallel, we are building recurring revenue streams through long-term mining contracts, service-level agreements, and strategic joint ventures,” Kembo said.

In his view, this combination ensures that the company’s growth path is both sustainable and profitable. “In this way, growth is not speculative—it is structured, financed, and profitable,” he emphasized.

Looking ahead, Hilmax is deliberately keeping its revenue targets confidential. However, Kembo confirmed that the group is already tracking on a sharp upward trajectory. “Our strategy is focused on expanding market share in mining, entering new industrial verticals, and building cross-border service capabilities,” he said.

The company’s leadership, particularly under the guidance of Executive Chairman John Mkushi, is also expected to play a key role in this transformation.

“Guided by our Chairman, we are shaping Hilmax into a regional engineering platform company—one that will not only grow revenues but also deliver durable value for shareholders, employees, and the economy,” Kembo said.

From a company once fighting to preserve market share, Hilmax now envisions itself at the heart of SADC’s industrial future, driven by capital strength, disciplined growth, and regional ambition.