Svenmill

COMPANY PROFILE

2013

svenmill

Celebrating 50 years on top

company report

Celebrating 50 years on top Editorial: Lauren Grey Production: Hal Hutchison

South Africa’s fabric and textile industry has, for some time, been threatened by cheap imports and changing business dynamics, but as one of the country’s most successful textile mills prepares to celebrate its 50th birthday, IndustrySA explores how it has “restructured and repositioned” its business to take advantage of changing demands.

Local manufacturer of decorative and industrial fabrics, Svenmill, has been operational from its Cape Town textile mill for 50 years and continues to succeed in a market threatened by cheap imports and increasing customer demand.

The wholly South African company specialises in woven and warp knitted fabric and has repositioned its business to offer a service to Government and Parastatals in order to stay ahead of future threats facing the industry.

The company’s factory in Parow Industria houses 250 staff members; some of whom have been with the company for more than 30 years’, whilst others are representatives of second and third generation family members who developed their skills within the business.

QUALITY FABRICS Svenmill’s woven and warp knitted fabrics are manufactured for a variety of end uses including home furnishing, apparel and industrial fabrics.

The company ensures a quality product of the highest

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standard is produced through its woven jacquard and dobby systems, warp knitted tricot, weft insertion, raschel and jacquard technologies.

Guided by its in-house design team, Svenmill’s varied technologies enable it to supply a wide range of quality decorative home furnishing, curtaining, lining and upholstery fabrics in fibre compositions including cotton, polyester, linen and acrylic.

Its Cut, Make and Trim (CMT) division has capabilities of making a broad range of products from readymade curtains to tablecloths, catering for both independent retail outlets as well as for chain store requirements.

Svenmill currently supplies the local and export markets; its decorative fabrics are marketed around the world at international retailers, wholesalers and boutiques. The company has also manufactured fabrics for the refurbishment of SARS, Eskom and SAA offices as well as many hotels within the Protea Hotel and Sun International Hotel Groups.

The Technical and Industrial Fabrics division supplies

Svenmill

fabric to the protective clothing, mosquito netting, flag, banner and gazebo, filtration and structural and outdoor fabric areas.

Government and Parastatals through tendering and a personal service delivery of its various books, ranges and collections.

FUTURE CHALLENGES Despite being in one of the toughest industries; with cheap fabric imports being the first immediate threat to business, Svenmill has set aside the time and budget to invest in its future security and business legacy.

In order to survive the changing business dynamics of the textile industry, the company states in its business profile that it has started to “innovate, restructure and reposition”.

“We have begun and will continue to innovate, restructure and reposition the business for improved effectiveness and to take advantage of changing demands for quality products and services, and the dwindling number of suppliers to the industry we serve.”

So far in its mission to restructure and reposition the business, Svenmill has started to offer a service to

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PROFUSE INTERLININGS (PTY) LIMITED A level 3 BEE Company PROFUSE started trading in June 1991 as an importer and distributor of Quality “A” grade Non Woven, Woven and Knitted interlinings.

We have established a reputation for quality and service and offer full technical backup and product training to all users of our products.

PROFUSE is pro-active in introducing new products into South Africa which are compatible with new modern fabrics. All new products are fully tested and approved overseas before introduction into South Africa.

PROFUSE can be contacted at the following numbers :Contact

Johannesburg

Durban

Cape Town

Telephone Fax eMail

011-402-0222 011-402-5918 slave1@tekomsa.net

031-305-8299 086-731-7070 capitaltex@hit.co.za

021-534-1795 021-534-2200 kevin@impahla.co.za

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS As part of Svenmill’s plan to innovate the business, it has embarked on a waste reduction programme to achieve a zero ecological footprint; one of the first and most forward-thinking commitments in the country.

The company’s waste reduction programme began in 2010 with the intention of not only leaving behind a business legacy but to invest in the company’s future security by ensuring success through new opportunities in the green economy, “…planet, people

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and profit remains our key focus.”

Staff training is an integral part of Svenmill’s waste reduction programme, and the company has partnered with Living Wealth, sustainable business practice specialists who have trained all staff to the standards necessary to ensure waste and damage are reduced with positive second order benefits in the areas of lower costs and improved marketing opportunities.

Svenmill also has its own Eco Committee who meet regularly to discuss current and future projects as well as reduction of KPI’s.

SVENMILL SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Another integral part to the business is Svenmill’s commitment to social responsibility; ensuring that its staff are properly looked after in order to get the highest levels of workmanship.

The company is involved in a number of socially inspired activities such as housing and short term financial assistance for distressed staff, subsidised eye, hearing, and cholesterol and blood pressure tests administered by a full-time, in-house nurse and regular training and scholarships for staff.

All of these activities, and more, ensure that Svenmill stay on top of both local and international competition whilst remaining one of South Africa’s most successful textile mills.

.

“We have begun and will continue to innovate, restructure and reposition the business for improved effectiveness”

B E R R Y G L O B A L

&

D O N A L D S ON

(Pty) Limited

F R E I G H T

Established 1963

L O G I S T I C S

Like Svenmill, B&D was established half a century ago. B&D has built solidly on its decades of proficient operations to where it now enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the country’s leading logistics companies providing the full spectrum of freight solutions.

For importers and exporters such as Svenmill, who are faced with the complexities of getting their cargo from origin to destination, B&D has the essential know-how to deliver efficiency and cost-effectiveness that are vital for our clients to achieve maximum profitability.

B&D has five branches nationally as well as a branch in Hong Kong.

Our workforce of over 250, our own fleet of distribution vehicles, along with our company-accredited contractors form the framework of our diversified end-to-end operations, which are geared towards maximum efficiency and expediency.

We are proud to have helped Svenmill in their continued success over the years and are delighted to share this milestone with them.

Tel: +27 21 464 8000

www.berrydon.co.za

+27 21 937 8600 www.svenmill.co.za

(0)1603 618 000 info@industrysa.com East Coast Promotions Ltd, Ferndale Business Centre, 1 Exeter Street.

Norwich, Norfolk NR2 4QB