PG Bison Kenya launches new technological advancements in celebration of 20-year anniversary
PG Bison Kenya
PG Bison recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its joint venture in Kenya. Over the years, the Kenyan operation has grown from strength to strength. As part of its development, it has invested in and automated its flat-pack cabinet manufacturing process, located in Nairobi.
A strong focus on technological solutions is part of the company’s long-term strategy. This helps ensure a world-class local manufacturing platform that can supply the needs of a growing consumer base in East Africa and beyond.
The new facility features leading brands in machinery and systems. The boost in processing capacity of wood-based panels and manufacturing capacity of individual cabinet parts and flat-pack cabinets as well as expanding job prospects by 20 percent is made possible by these solid investments in reliable brands.
Managing Director for PG Bison Kenya, Hitesh Mediratta, says that the latest investment will enable the industry to supply locally produced cabinet solutions. This will replace the need to import finished furniture, ensuring local job creation across the value chain.
“We feel that furniture manufacturing can significantly contribute to employment and ultimately help increase government revenue. For this to materialise, manufacturers need to ensure that they are globally competitive. Our government needs to address the high level of duties imposed on wood-based panels and other raw materials used in the manufacturing of furniture and the high level of inward logistic costs.”
“Our ex-factory costs are far higher than that of factories in China and this is mainly due to the higher input costs of key raw materials. Kenya must aim to develop a vibrant and sustainable export market, and this can only be done if it has a strong and sustainable manufacturing sector. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a key link in ensuring that we can increase inter-African trade and we all need to ensure that the negotiations have a favourable outcome.”
The investment will enhance production capacity with locally produced ready-to-assemble cabinets. This, in turn, will help create and sustain more than 200 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the training of over 1,000 furniture artisans, aligning with the government’s objective of expanding the vital SME sector.
“We are aligned to our customer needs for quality locally produced furniture products. Therefore, we continuously look to provide long-lasting solutions by partnering with carefully selected suppliers who are certified for conformity in both quality and environmental standards. Furthermore, we continuously supply hands-on training sessions to all our market segments on correct applications of our products, machining and assembly techniques, usage of hand tools and a range of best practices needed up the value chain,” says Dipan Mediratta, Sales & Marketing Director for PG Bison Kenya.
