The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure Senior Business Reporter
A BUSINESS consortium has set up an Inverted Box Rib (IBR) roof sheeting plant in Rusape in a move expected to end shortages while ensuring availability of affordable commercial, industrial and residential roofing materials in Manicaland.
The plant was imported from China at a cost of US$100 000, while the galvanised and chromadek sheets imported from South Africa.
Rusape Steel Products director Mr Naison Sanaco said the plant comprises two auto raw sheeting machines and a cramming machine — each with a capacity to fabricate 30 tonnes of IBR roofing sheets in three hours.
The product line includes chromadek sheets, galvanised IBR sheets and corrugated iron sheets.
The company will soon be producing Qtiles — which are the in-thing today.
The company’s establishment comes at a time when there is a sharp growth in the building industry, which has resulted in huge demand, shortages and exorbitant pricing of IBR and corrugated iron roof sheeting.
The raw material production will be able to meet or exceed demand on the provincial market.
The company opened its doors to the public last week just before the country went into a three-week lockdown.
Mr Sanaco said: “We have invested a fortune into this business, over US$100 000, and have been working on it for over a year. I have been to China where we imported these three machines. We are expecting more machines to arrive from China to make us a one-stop shop for steel products.
“The idea is to make a meaningful contribution towards the attainment of Vision 2030 — for which the provision of decent, durable and fancy accommodation is vital.
“We have three machines — two big ones that fabricate IBRs, corrugated iron sheets and chromadek. The IBRs are in two shapes, the ones which are used in Zimbabwe, and a new type that was recently developed and used in South Africa and Zambia to provide variety to our customers. We feel it is important not to just duplicate, but provide an additional variety for the customers to choose from,” said Mr Sanaco.
He revealed that more machines will be delivered before the end of year.
Due to load-shedding, the company has also been working nightshifts and plans are afoot to import generators to power the plant.
Mr Sanaco said they can make products according to customers’ specifications.
“We have the standardised lengths of 3,6m, but lengths up to 10m or more can be made on request. Our products are designed for side cladding or roofing in commercial, industrial, institutional and residential buildings,” he said.
The company also supplies hardware shops and wholesalers.
“We are contributing towards the attainment of a middle income economy by 2030. Obviously provision of decent residential, commercial and industrial infrastructure is a key component in Vision 2030.
“We used to get roofing materials from outside the province, and this was coming at an additional cost. Take for instance the Chimanimani and Chipinge districts that were affected by Cyclone Idai — all the roofing material used in the reconstruction was sourced from outside the province.
“This initiative should make life easier for the people in Manicaland, especially in light of the devolution agenda,” said Mr Sanaco.
IBR is now a household name in Zimbabwe’s building industry.
The roofing material has a deep broad flute design that offers excellent drainage characteristics, coupled with optimum weight versus load capabilities.
