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Eastern Cape Business 2020 edition

  • Text
  • Eastern
  • Cape
  • Mohair
  • Mandela
  • Nelson
  • Nedbank
  • Banking
  • Economic
  • African
  • Province
  • Edition
The 2020 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 13th edition of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2006, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape’s investment and business opportunities are highlighted in this publication. One of the province’s unique economic assets, the mohair industry, is highlighted in a special feature while the occasion of the 10th birthday of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is celebrated in an article on tourism and events. Overviews are provided on the key economic sectors of the province, including the increasingly important Special Economic Zones and energy, where the Eastern Cape is leading the nation in attracting investment in wind power. The major business chambers in the province have made contributions to the journal.

INTERVIEW A wide variety

INTERVIEW A wide variety of mohair yarns are finding markets Improved quality and new kinds of yarn are among the spinoffs from increased investment by leading mohair company, SAMIL. CEO Michael Brosnahan expands. Michael Brosnahan, CEO Will Brexit have an impact on the mohair sector? Brexit will have limited to no impact on the mohair sector in South Africa as very little mohair is traded via the United Kingdom. Our major trading partners are China and Italy, though Japan, Taiwan and South Korea are also important markets. Do you export to Scandinavia? SAMIL exports exquisite Hand Knitting yarns to Scandinavia. We have created bespoke yarns for these markets, incorporating Scandinavian influences in both style and colours. Biography Michael emigrated from the UK to KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa in 1981 in order to take up the position of Quality Assurance Manager with the Frame Group. A chartered member of the Textile Institute in South Africa, he has managed several large textile companies since then. Mooi River Textiles was awarded Cotton Spinner of the Year for three consecutive years under his leadership. He was appointed CEO of SAMIL Natural Fibres in Port Elizabeth in 2016. Do you support small-scale farmers? We formed SAMIL Farming in 2011 to increase mohair availability through joint ventures with commercial and emerging farmers. An assistant farming manager has been appointed to focus solely on increasing our emerging farmer partnerships. Among the success stories are Ms Sarah Louw of Jansenville and Ms Ntombomzi Qeqe-Lwana of Kommadagga. Are your investments in combing and spinning paying off? The investments have not only led to the upliftment of the quality of the products but created the opportunity to produce yarn types that we were previously unable to. We see the investments as the opportunity to secure employment for our employees into the future through enabling us to increase our market share. What sort of variety do you offer in terms of types of yarns? SAMIL Spinning produces a wide range of yarns focussing mainly on mohair yarns or mohair blended with other noble fibres such as alpaca and wool as well as all-natural yarns which includes blends with silk and bamboo. We produce yarns of natural fibres blended with man-made fibres such as polyamide, polyester or acrylic fibres, as requested by our customers. Yarn styles range from flat worsted yarns for items such as socks and jerseys, to black headband ties used by Arab sheiks in the Middle East and fancy loop and brushed yarns used by Europe’s top fashion houses. ■ EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2020 18

Sharing Africa’s beauty with the world SAMIL produces and processes mohair, the noble fibre. SAMIL is a dynamic organisation with more than 30 years’ experience in the South African mohair and textile industry. SAMIL specialises in mohair and mohair-related products and has a fully integrated value chain including farming, processing, trading, yarn spinning and dyeing. SAMIL has a global customer base and has the unique ability to offer its customers a range of natural fibre products that are traceable back to their origin. Our range of services enables us to meet all of our clients’ yarn and natural fibre needs. Mohair, the fleece of the Angora goat, is: • Called the noble fibre, and sometimes the diamond fibre. • Lustrous, resilient and offers exceptional colour reflection. It is a symbol of luxury and exclusivity. • One of the world’s most beautiful sustainable natural fibres. African Expressions Our local brand African Expressions was born of the desire to share Africa’s natural beauty with the rest of the world. Through our unique range of yarns, we express the essence of that which makes Africa magical. Our yarns are naturally soft to the touch, easy to knit and luxuriously versatile. SAMIL divisions Farming: SAMIL Farming’s objective is to stabilise and increase mohair supply to processors. The division includes strategic kapater partnerships, Woodlands Angora Stud and emerging farmer assistance. Combing: SAMIL Combing, located near East London, has become one of the world’s leading processors. With a capacity in excess of 40 tons of top and noil per week, SAMIL Combing is committed to processing only mohair and can accommodate small, exclusive lots. Trading: All greasy bales are evaluated carefully before processing commences. A strong support base of affiliated companies, partners and agents has been established for the purchase and sale of raw materials and finished goods. SAMIL plays an important role in setting the global standard for mohair tops. Spinning and dyeing: SAMIL Spinning produces a wide and exclusive range of mohair and mohairblended fancy and fine-spun yarns in both finecount and coarser varieties. We cater for the hand knitting, machine knitting, weaving, hosiery and decor markets. Yarns produced are both mohair blends with other natural and man-made fibres as well as other noble fibre yarn blends. Yarns can be custom dyed to any shade. Genetic research: The objective of the Angora Genetics Laboratory (ANGELA) is the enhancement of Angora goats, from increasing kidding rates to the improvement of the hair qualities and the overall quantity of hair per goat. Results are available to all in the mohair farming community. There is valued collaboration with the Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute (GADI). Social responsibility: Our duty to the community is to help provide employment. We are involved in projects in previously disadvantaged communities and assist through financial contributions, job creation, mentorship, skills development and husbandry support. Contact details Tel: +27 41 486 2430 19 Email: yarns@samil.co.za EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2020 Website: www.samil.co.za

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