A Journey of growth: Graydon Engineering’s success...

A Journey of growth: Graydon Engineering’s success story

Zim Now Writer

Tucked in the suburb of Waterfalls in the capital, Harare, Graydon Engineering, a structural engineering company which started operating in 2009 – also prides itself with the provision of mechanical engineering solutions.

Although the company currently employs a modest 15 people, Graydon managing director, Godfrey Nhlakama said they have come a long way and have been growing steadily over the years.

“We used to employ a much smaller number at the beginning but have been registering average growth. At times, Graydon employs more on a contract basis depending on the availability of work. Graydon’s mechanical engineering slant also allows the firm to do jobs in structural engineering – plant maintenance, erection of sheds, service station canopies, fuel tank fabrication and other general work that involves steel, we do not have any boundaries on that,” said Nhlakama, who is the managing director of Graydon Engineering.

Besides, the fuel sector, Graydon also services many other sectors of the economy. The firm has not had it easy all through as certain challenges being faced by other manufacturing concerns in the country have affected them as well.

“We have also encountered several challenges,most of which are global and have affected many other companies. Like everyone else, the economic instability, especially on prices impacts on our operations negatively. Prices of materials fluctuate all the time and it is difficult to plan and budget.

Nhlakama added that power outages have been the other factors that impact on their operations negatively. He, however, said they had tried to come up with interventions to remain productive.

“What we have tried to do is to work with fuel-powered generators which power our operations. These interventions push up our production costs as the fuel has to be procured. However, we envisage a future where we will be able to invest in environment-friendly power sources, especially solar going forward. This is in line with global demands for cleaner energy sources.

Nhlakama also said they are aware that government is trying its best to proffer sustainable solutions to the problems in the economy, adding: “We need operating capital which can only be available from banks. Banks have not been able to give out money lately because of the obtaining policy regime. As a result, we are not able to borrow at the moment.

“However, if the policies change, banks will be able to give us money to finance our operations. That way we will be able to produce optimally and grow as companies.”