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Thandeka Moyo , Business Reporter
ZIMTILE is set to double its production by early next year on the back of growing demand to export to neighbouring countries like Zambia and Mozambique.

The company has already acquired additional equipment to ensure increased output starting January 2019, Zimtile head Mr James Banda said yesterday.

He said the company was ready to expand and decentralise its services to most parts of the country riding on the proposed plan.

“We are working hard to continue providing quality products to Zimbabweans and beyond. We are anticipating new aluminium moulds next year, which will double our production and we look forward to opening new branches,” said Mr Banda.

Speaking during the company’s ISO 9001:2015 certification celebrations in Bulawayo yesterday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Mrs Abigail Shonhiwa, applauded the company for being a competent regional player.

The ISO certification implies that Zimtile complies with requirements set forth in the latest version of global certification standards.

This includes ensuring their products enhance customer satisfaction leading to reduced product rejection in the export market.

Mrs Shonhiwa said companies should embrace the ISO 9001:2015 as well so that their products meet the highest local and international standards.

“Zimtile has become a name synonymous with high product quality and we encourage the company to innovatively venture into other products targeting especially the foreign markets. I am informed that Zimtile has become a regional player exporting to Zambia, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Mrs Shonhiwa.

“I urge all Zimbabwean companies to emulate Zimtile by making use of standards in your daily operation because standards are enablers and catalysts to industrialisation and building company competitiveness.”

Meanwhile, Government has said it is in the process of reviewing the Consignment Based Conformity Assessment, which seeks to protect local businesses and consumers from cheap and substandard products.

The policy also aims to reduce the importation of hazardous and substandard products that are bound to hurt and ultimately ruin the people.

Mrs Shonhiwa said Government had heeded concerns from the business community regarding the quality of imports.

“Government is also working in consultation with key stakeholders in an effort to develop the National Regulatory and Quality Infrastructure Policy. The policy is designed to effectively harmonise quality and standardisation issues at national level. It is my hope that the policy will improve the co-ordination and corroboration of quality and standardisation issues within our country,” she said.

Mrs Shonhiwa also emphasised that conforming to national and international standards reassures customers that products, systems and organisations are safe, reliable and good for the environment.

— @thamamoe .