Whether you want to hire the services of a garment manufacturing company in Malawi, or you have a project in mind and need to find a suitable firm, you can use this article to find the right one for you. It lists the top clothing manufacturers in the country, along with contact details.
Mapeto DWSM
Previously known as David Whitehead and Sons Malawi Limited, Mapeto DWSM is the leading textile manufacturing company in Malawi.
This company produces quality plain fabrics for both export and domestic market. Founded in 1967, the firm uses the finest raw cotton from India and China. It provides high quality school uniforms and work suits to local and foreign markets.
In a bid to boost the growth of the manufacturing sector, the Government has earmarked Mk11 billion for investment in textile and garments manufacturing. The plan is to create 3,500 jobs in the next five years. The Government is also planning to give attractive incentives to incoming investors.
Mapeto DWSM is one of the leading companies in Malawi in producing quality plain fabrics and yarn for both the domestic and international market. It is known for using advanced technology and cutting edge equipments.
Its production ranges from chitenji to african prints and a variety of plain and dyed fabric materials. In a recent interview, Mapeto Chairman Faizal Latif said that Mapeto would realise an unprecedented increase in annual sales volume.
The company was recently privatised. The sale was announced by the Privatisation Commission on May 21, 2018. The privatisation was a result of Mapeto Wholesalers selling DWS to Jimtex. In the meantime, the owner of Mapeto David Whitehead and Sons Malawi Limited was summoned by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to be questioned about a K300 million cheque.
However, the owner, Yaseen Muhammad, refused to talk to Nyasa Times. He referred the matter to the General Manager Martin Mpata. The latter was out of office when the arrest occurred.
Mapeto DWSM plans to produce at least 150000 metres of cloth per month. It has invested in a state-of-the-art ginning machine. This is in a bid to expand the company’s production capacity. Its general manager wants to tackle the problem of smuggling.
Truval Manufacturers
Located in Johannesburg, South Africa, Truval Manufacturers is a high-end clothing manufacturer that offers the best of both worlds. The company has been in business for over 20 years and produces high-quality garments and apparel.
They are backed up by a young and spirited design team and an experienced administration team. In fact, the company has a number of accolades to their name including the award for the Best Clothing Supplier in Malawi.
The company’s product line has grown to include outerwear, underwear, sleepwear and shoes. The company also provides a number of manufacturing services, from printing to embroidery, bespoke to mass production. The company’s website has a comprehensive list of products, services and contact details.
Truval Manufacturers has a knack for the ol’ fashioned high-quality craftsmanship. The company uses top-of-the-line materials to produce quality apparel. This is especially true of their lingerie and nightwear lines. A quick look at their website shows they have a large number of customers, many of whom are from outside of the country.
The company is led by an entrepreneurial whiz kid, Daniel Steiner. He has a strong background in technology and manufacturing, and is also well-versed in entrepreneurship and social media. Aside from being a jack of all trades, he is also a well-traveled man and a fan of philanthropy
In addition to his day job, he is also a blogger and Wikipedia contributor. The company’s most recent acquisition has been a small business in Centurion, which he plans to turn into a full-service clothing manufacturer. He is also a member of the Garments and Textile Manufacturers Association of Malawi.
Although he hasn’t formally announced it yet, the company is on the verge of a merger.
New Bramatex
Among the many garment manufacturing companies in Malawi, New Bramatex is no doubt the star of the show. The company has the distinction of being the biggest juggernaut in the country. It produces over one hundred metric tons of textile per year.
Aside from cotton, the company also churns out a wide range of products including garments, linen, bed linen, drapes and quilts. Its flagship subsidiary, Mapeto David Whitehead and Sons, uses over one thousand metric tons of cotton per year.
Although the company’s plethora of achievements makes it one of the most exciting places to do business, the country’s economy is far from the rosy it was in years past. The industry has been hampered by poor cotton and other factors.
In order to boost production and sales, the company has reshuffled its ranks and hired a slew of new hires. The industry has also been stung by low prices for basic goods such as fuel, electricity and transport. In addition, the government has been stingy with grants for capital expenditures, resulting in a cash strapped industry.
Not surprisingly, the company’s top line is dwarfed by the company’s bottom line. The company has not only been tasked with growing its exports, it is also in charge of training its workforce, whose numbers have been on the decline for the past few years. As such, the company has been forced to take a few hits of its own.
Although the company has not yet resorted to retrenchment, its flagship subsidiary, Mapeto David Whitehead, has tasked its staff with a few grueling weeks of layoffs.
ETC
Located in southeast Africa, Malawi is home to 19 million people. Its textile and apparel industry is important to the economy. The country has four garment plants that produce a combined total of 6.3 million clothing units a year.
In terms of exports, the industry is mainly dependent on the South African market. The plants receive most of their orders from garment design/sourcing houses in Durban. The companies are also supported by two commission garment screen-printers and a coat hanger factory.
Despite a limited packaging and laundries industry, the Lesotho garment industry is supported by local trims from South Africa. However, the majority of the raw materials are imported from the East.
The textiles industry is one of the most important in the Lesotho economy. The industry supports over 4 700 workers. The average wage is US$86 a month. Some firms pay more than the minimum wage.
The labour laws in Lesotho are enshrined in the ILO core conventions. These laws regulate the maximum working hours and the minimum paid leave. The law sets a minimum of 11 hours of overtime a week.
The textile industry in Africa is largely reliant on the new trade rules. These have opened up the global market for textiles from developing countries. The government is committed to promoting the sector.
The Lesotho garment industry is a major producer of workwear. The garments are used by mining and agricultural workers. Some of the products include hi-visibility jackets, freezer-wear, and work wear.
In addition to woven garments, the industry makes some knitwear. Six knit garment manufacturers have WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production) certification.
The garment industry is faced with many challenges. Inefficient production processes and outdated inventory management methods are a common issue. These issues have affected sales and trade.
Henry Pham (Pham Quang Anh), CEO of DONY Garment
This year, we have found that many international buyers are seeking new suppliers based in nations outside of China and Thailand to purchase many goods and products, including uniforms, workwear, reusable cloth face mask, and protective clothing.
At DONY Garment, we are proud to welcome international customers, especially those based in the US, Canada, the Middle East, and the EU market to discover the professional production line at our factory in Vietnam.
We guarantee our products are of the highest quality, at an affordable cost, and easy to transport across the world.