The Morogoro based textile mill, 21st Century Textiles Limited has won this year's Presidential Manufacturer of Year Award (PMYA) in recognition of its contribution to the manufacturing industry in Tanzania.
The once ailing parastatal firm which was purchased by the Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Limited (METL) Group in 2003 as part of Tanzania Government's parastatal privatization process has invested more than US$ 25 million over the last four years in its rehabilitation and modernization.
Mr. Mohammed Dewji, Chief Executive of METL Group told The East African in Dar es Salaam last week that the firm has become East Africa's single largest textile mill following massive modernization investment by METL.
Mr. Dewji said that the firm currently produces 4,400 metric tons of cotton and blended yarns and 16 million metres of grey and finished fabrics per year.
“The firm has already captured a large portion of the Tanzanian market with its range of Kitenges, bed sheets, shirting and suiting materials and blended fabrics,” he said.
Export products such as grey fabrics and carded and combed cotton yarns are also in high demand and the exports are expected to grow dramatically as the company develops further opportunities within the European Union and the USA through the African Growth Opportunity Act 2000.
As part of METL Group's on-going vertical integration strategy, since last year TCTL has already embarked on a major expansion project, which, besides increasing its spinning, weaving and processing capacities three folds, will also introduce cotton farming and ginning. The major thrust will be on higher export earnings through export of value added products.
TCTL already employs over 1,500 people in Morogoro, and this number is expected to double following implementation of the expansion project.