Textile manufacturer David Whitehead Textiles set ...

Textile manufacturer David Whitehead Textiles set for revival

Zim Now Writer

The revival of David Whitehead Textiles, closed nearly 20 years ago before the entry of new investor Agri Value Chain, is well on course with executives confirming the arrival of new equipment for the retooling of its Chegutu and Kadoma plants.

The revival of DWT is part of efforts towards re-establishing value chains in the cotton sector and boost the country’s cotton industry.

“We have started receiving new equipment and we have already received 20 containers,” David Whitehead chairman Pradyumn Ganediwal, who is also Agri Value Chain and Zimgold Oil Industries chairman, said.

“About 60 containers are already on the high seas and we are expecting them soon.

“We are very happy that we are on course, and everything is going according to plan,” he said.

Ganediwal also said in total, 200 containers of new equipment could be delivered, in what could be the biggest investment in the textile industry in years.

Massive civil works are in progress at the Chegutu factory in preparation for the installation of new equipment while preparatory works at the Kadoma plant — which produces yarn that feeds into the Chegutu factory are at an advanced stage.

Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said government was keen to see that more cotton produced in Zimbabwe is locally value-added instead of being exported raw.

In the past, this is the role that DWT and other textile firms were playing.

“I was fairly pleased that David Whitehead Textiles is coming back, and the investor is into it. I had a meeting last week at my office with the Chief Executive Officer of David Whitehead and I am pleased with what I heard,” Prof. Ncube said.

Prof Ncube added that government would use part of its Special Drawing Rights from the International Monetary Fund to support the local textile industry.

“As a country, what we need to do is complete our cotton value chain. What we have done is I have allocated a portion of SDR (Special Drawing Rights) from IMF towards supporting the clothing industry for the manufacture of clothes locally,” he said.

Ganediwal said they were happy that government would provide the required support for the industry.

“We had a very constructive meeting with the Minister of Finance, and he was happy to note our initiatives in the cotton value chain. We are happy that the Minister assured us that his office will provide the required support for the revival of David Whitehead,” said Ganediwal.