Catumbela – The textile factory in Benguela (Textaf) will increase production of sheets, towels and blankets by more than 20 percent this year, to supply the domestic market, said its general director, Vidal Bazanine.
As result of the privatization of the former Africa Têxtil in favor of the Zimbabwean company Baobab Cotton Group, for a period of 12 years, Textaf expects to reach, in the coming years, its maximum monthly production capacity of 500 thousand units.
To this end, Vidal Bazanine reported that an additional 260 people were recently hired, bringing the number of jobs created since the reopening of the unit in 2021 to 700.
He guaranteed that the reinforcement of personnel aims to increase the final part of the production chain, that is, the production of bedding, towels and blankets, including fabrics.
According to the manager, with 70 percent of the total jobs, the unit is producing more than five tons of yarn/day, with 150 tons of this product resulting from the spinning process in stock.
When giving the status of Textaf, after a fact-finding visit carried out recently by deputies of the National Assembly from the Provincial Circle of Benguela, the manager said, on the other hand, that more than one million meters of raw mesh were produced, which, like textile threads, are also for sale.
“We already have spinning and knitting at a very advanced stage (…) and the weaving part is well implemented”, he noted, announcing the arrival, soon, of chemical products so that the final part of dyeing and sewing gains another dynamic.
Based on the work in progress, he highlights that there are good indicators so that final production could increase by more than 20 percent this year, which, as he anticipated, would be a very large evolution.
As the initial part (yarn production) already has a production volume greater than 20 percent, the person responsible assures that it is now necessary, with the arrival of chemicals, to increase production in the final stage – dyeing and sewing – in same percentage.
At the moment, he stressed, production at the end of the chain is smaller, that is, the production of bedding, towels and blankets, including fabrics.
He also announced that some contracts were being discussed for the supply of knitwear and fabrics to local clothing manufacturers dedicated to the creation of products, such as household items and school, hospital and security personnel uniforms.
Intern market
The Textaf manager points to four priority markets as the destination for Benguela's textile products, including Luanda, mainly hospitals, schools, hotels and supermarkets.
Vidal Bazanine reveals that the factory also plans to export to South Africa and the United States, as there are possibilities for this purpose.
Cotton production
The general director of Textaf recalled that part of the cotton used in the factory is imported, but highlights that the relaunch of internal production is in the works, in order to guarantee the sustainability of the national textile industry.
“The self-sufficient cotton production project would be very good for the country”, he predicts, considering that this would have a great impact on job creation.
In addition to Textaf in Benguela, with an installed capacity for the annual production of seven million bath towels and fabrics, the country also has ex-Satec textile units in the province of Cuanza Norte and Textang II, in Luanda, also under the management of Zimbabwean company Baobab. JH/CRB/DOJ
