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Pamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
A NEW company, Winnerman Engineering, has been opened in Bulawayo
The Minister of State in the President’s Office Cde Flora Buka officially opened the company on behalf of Acting President Cde Joice Mujuru on Thursday.
The company which has four branches countrywide and specialises in manufacturing roofing sheets, lipped channels and roller shutter doors for the construction industry, has a staff complement of 50 workers.

The company is also into infrastructural development such as construction of roads.
In her address Cde Buka commended the company’s chief executive officer John Chingonzoh, 29, for establishing a company in Bulawayo at a time when most industries were shutting down and relocating.

“It is highly commendable that such a young man has established a company in Bulawayo at a time when most industries are closing down in the city. This shows that the company has faith in Bulawayo and is determined to play a role in the resuscitation of industries,” Cde Buka said.

“The advantage of opening new companies is that you do not just create employment for yourselves but others as well. I am certain that the company will open more branches in other towns and cities,” she said.

Cde Buka said the government was committed to supporting new companies especially owned by young people so that they realise their dreams.

Chingonzoh said although the company was faced with challenges it was committed to embracing the government’s economic blueprint, Zim Asset.

“Many companies have closed shop but we have remained resolute because we want to see Bulawayo regaining its status of being the country’s industrial hub. We have been facing many challenges like other companies but through our diverse skills we have managed to survive,” he said.

He said his company fully supported value addition which government was promoting through Zim Asset.
Chingonzoh however said for industries in the city to be revived or expand, they needed government support.

“Government can assist us in mitigating some of the challenges we have such as lack of money to buy new equipment to replace obsolete machinery by providing the required funding. It could also waive duty on equipment and the end result is that we will be able to charge competitive prices for our products,” he said.

Chingonzoh’s company has been involved in big construction projects such as the upgrading of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport car park and road networks, upgrading of the Plumtree Border Post and the construction of the Faculty of      Agriculture building at Lupane State University.

The company was also among the companies that constructed the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) Ceremonial Hall, Chemistry and Engineering blocks as well as Solusi University Faculty of Business building.