- Timber
With an abundance of timber farms in the Harding region, the manufacture of wooden products boasts a wealth of investment opportunities. Surejoy Industries, a family-owned organisation consisting of 2 300-hectares of timber plantations and a mill, manufactures purlins, rafters, CCA-treated poles, and other wooden products. A complement of around 240 full-time employees produces a range of wooden products supplying manufacturers of hardware and furniture, with a storage depot in Marburg.
As it currently stands, there is no workshop in the region that can attend to the sharpening of saw blades – a vital component of the timber industry. SCTIE has noted the potential for investors to establish such a workshop, meeting market demand in a well-established timber farming area. Existing furniture stores and timber retailers are also encouraged to visit the KZN South Coast to source raw materials as the destination is a regular supplier of timber.
- Cut, Make, Trim (CMT) Manufacturing
The textile industry has a lot of investment potential with cut, make, and trim manufacturing (CMT) a way for those in fashion to transform their vision into complete products, ready for market. On the KZN South Coast, Cengemajita Fashion & Entertainment has been identified as an emerging CMT manufacturer with significant investment opportunities. This 100% black-owned company, with 12 full-time employees, was established in 2009, securing machinery in 2016 and gaining ground until Covid-19 hit. They resuscitated the company in 2022, securing school uniform orders, with the aim to establish a shop in the South Coast Mall.
“As with all businesses in South Africa, load shedding remains one of the biggest challenges to productivity, making investments in renewable energies a priority,” continued Phelisa. “We welcome the president’s recent announcement regarding renewable energy incentives for businesses and individuals, and look forward to the growth of this sector on the KZN South Coast.”
Extending from Port Shepstone, the area’s economic hub, throughout the KZN South Coast, there are so many investment opportunities. To find out more about these, get in touch with SCTIE, the KZN South Coast’s One-Stop Shop for investment. Contact SCTIE on 039 682 7944, email info@sctie.co.za or visit www.investkznsouthcoast.co.za.