PHILLIMON MHLANGA
Willdale Limited is poised for growth in the wake of renewed demand for bricks and new resource finds.
Nyasha Matonda, Willdale’s CEO, told Business Times on the sidelines of a construction industry meeting last week that the company would open new sites across the country soon, despite the deteriorating economic conditions which has seen many companies in Zimbabwe downsizing or closing shop altogether.
Willdale, which was listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange in 2003 after a demerger by Mashonaland Holdings Limited, has secured clay deposits that are expected to last 30 years. Matonda said the company had produced an unprecedented 45 million of fired bricks which are ready to go into the market.
This is a record for the company since its establishment in 1957. A renewed demand in bricks countrywide will drive the growth of the company, as the order book is expected to grow significantly.
“We have eight sales branches throughout Zimbabwe and we are continuing to open more branches in new areas,” Matonda disclosed.
“We will soon go into Mutare and other places. We need to be close to our clients. We are ready for new projects.”
Matonda also indicated that Willdale had secured clay deposits “which will take us the next 30 years to exploit”.
The company is also carrying out rehabilitation on pits it no longer mines.
Willdale is one of Zimbabwe’s leading brick manufacturers. Its clay brick range includes face brick, semi-face brick, common brick, and paving bricks for walkways, patios, swimming pool surrounds and garden landscaping.
The bricks are either manufactured with a rustic, smooth or brushed finish. The company also has a range extension which includes economy plaster, special ground solutions, and decorative building products such as window sills, faggots and klompies.
