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Courtney Matende Midlands Reporter
BATA Shoe Company is seeking to raise US$400 000 to invest in poly urethane (PU) technology to produce up to 120 000 pairs of shoes per shift.

Giving an overview of the firm operations during a tour by Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Raj Modi at the Bata factory in Gweru recently, the company’s managing director, Mr Simon Mutisya, said the PU technology was not common in Africa.

“The investment we have earmarked is the PU pouring technology and we are looking at US$400 000,” he said. “The initial run requires 60 000 pairs on a single shift or 120 000 pairs on a double shift depending on the demand and it will create jobs along the way.

“Everybody is very passionate about this one because we will be the second company to have it in Africa. With PU pouring, we are able to make industrial shoes in mono colour or bi-colour sole, whatever selection that we are going to get from the customers.”

Mr Mutisya said they are operating at 50 percent capacity and they want to increase to 70 percent by year-end although they are facing challenges.

“We are currently operating at 50 percent,” he said. “Maybe by year-end we can increase to 70 percent because again the growth will not be across all, maybe some areas will grow faster than others.

“The challenges we are facing are basically the whole technology that we are using and the quality of hides, but we are working on it, there are recommendations on how to address this when the time comes.

“So far, the reception of the samples that we have sent around to the mining industry, among other organisations, is positive and we hope this is the area we are going to grow and even invest in more machines.

“We are able to remain in the market in this operation, but our wish is to serve the customers, the demand is still there, it is only for us to explore the potential that we have.”

Deputy Minister Modi said Government was working on modalities to support the manufacturing sector so that there is socio-economic development in the country.