ZFC Limited completed the annual maintenance of its two granulation plants mid-April. The company has now started production for the forthcoming summer season. Fertiliser requirements for the winter cereals season and other crops have already been produced and distributed across the country. ZFC Limited operates two granulation plants and a blender with a combined annual production capacity of more than 200 000t of granulated compounds and 150 000t of blends. This is against an estimated total national requirement of 350 000t of all fertiliser types, both basal and top dressing. Since its inception in 1952, the company continuously aims to improve the quality of its products, its operations as well as the service it offers to its customers.

The annual maintenance was aimed at improving the environmental and quality performances as well as plant safety and production efficiency. The maintenance work also improves the plant’s reliability and throughput thereby contributing to increased productivity and the reduction of production costs.

A total investment of $600 000 was invested to complete the maintenance programme. This is roughly the same amount invested annually simply to keep the plants safe and in good shape.

Scope of work during annual maintenance

Key aspects of the work that was done during the annual maintenance included the general overhaul of the various equipment in the processing plant. This improves plant reliability. Statutory maintenance and repair to high pressure equipment like boilers and valves was done to check on their safety performance as well as reliability. The inspections to ensure future replacement of worn out equipment was done satisfactorily.

ZFC endeavours to produce fertilisers and chemicals in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. The same fertiliser plants are meant to produce any NPK formulations as required by the customers and this includes any high analysis products for any crop.

Despite the low demand of fertilizers in the country and huge capital requirements, improvements to the plant were still done to reduce bottlenecks to production and therefore cope with peak season demand.

As a way to counter the challenges surrounding the quality of power from the national grid which sometimes render the plant inoperable, the company installed an Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR). The AVR was imported and installed at a cost of $100 000. The AVR smoothens the power supplied and prevents damage to electrical equipment thereby minimising lost production. All this effort is geared towards ensuring that the supply of inputs for the season is guaranteed. With this installation, plant availability is expected to improve. Maintenance costs are expected to also come down.

An additional boiler was also installed at a cost of $150 000. Steam demand is expected to increase with the improved plant availability and reliability. All this feeds into the efficiency of the processing plant. Work was also done on dust abatement, structural repairs and/or replacements. All the measuring equipment was calibrated to comply with relevant statutes.

Safety, Health and Quality performance

ZFC won the National Annual Quality Awards (NAQA) Best Company of the year award for 2015 and will represent Zimbabwe in the SADC quality competitions. ZFC strives to continuously improve on its quality of service and products. ZFC is proud to be part of a certified Integrated Management System that comprise of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OSHAS 18001.

This gives assurance to stakeholders of the way ZFC executes its business, delivers its products, looks after the environment and its employees as well as care about the people who do business with ZFC.

Distribution network

To ensure convenience to farmers, ZFC has established more than 100 outlets in the major farming areas.

In excess of 500 registered rural agro-dealers are contracted to extend the distribution of the fertilisers, lime, gypsum and chemicals further into the rural areas for the convenience of rural farmers. Fertilisers already distributed includes the high analysis products suitable for all crops in the country.

Most of the shops are already fitted with the relevant electronic POS machines to avoid inconveniencing farmers in these times of the cash shortages. Fertiliser and agro-chemical products are therefore available countrywide for farmers who wish to start stocking for the coming summer season.

Technical Support

to Farmers

The company has a team of well trained, experienced and readily available agronomists across the country to assist farmers and to complement Government’s extension efforts. Discussions and trainings are done throughout the year in various areas. ZFC Limited has created various platforms that are aimed at providing farmers with advice on their cropping programmes and solutions to challenges they may encounter within agriculture.

These include social platforms, internet, radio programmes, commercial training, on-farm training and one on one interactions with the highly trained and skilled team of agronomists.

Get your trusted fertilisers from our various outlets nationwide.

 

ZFC Limited: Helping You Get A Better Crop.

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