Calvin Klein signs Kenyan EPZ firm to make underwear

Calvin Klein signs Kenyan EPZ firm to make underwear

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Workers at an EPZ factory in Nairobi. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NMG

Top global fashion brands have signed production contracts with local textile manufacturers, raising the profile of Kenya’s export processing zones (EPZ).

Calvin Klein, Arrow, Izod and Cherokee are among the international labels that have signed with Kenya-based firms, according to officials of the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA).

Other brands including Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) started local production in 2014 at Ashton Apparel.

Hela Clothing, a new EPZ firm, is manufacturing Calvin Klein underwear.

The company, currently employing 1,500 workers, is in the process of expanding in what will see it double its workforce.

New Wide Garments is manufacturing Arrow and Izod labels and employes more than 7,000 workers.

Global EPZ produces Cherokee brand of clothing and has 1,500 staff.

Favourite locations

The global fashion brands are looking to source more of their clothing items from Africa to reduce their reliance on Asia-based manufacturers.

Kenya and Ethiopia have emerged as favourite locations as multinationals diversify away from countries such as Bangladesh, one of the largest exporters of textiles.

The bulk of Kenya’s textiles are exported to the United States under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) agreement that allows for duty-free imports of select items from low-income countries in the continent.
Increased contract manufacturing in the country is expected to boost exports in the textile industry whose earnings and production has dropped significantly from its peak in the 1980s.

Peaked in 1984

Statistics from the African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation shows that the local textile industry peaked in 1984 with 52 mills.

Today, there are 21 mills currently operating at a capacity of less than 50 per cent.

Calvin Klein signs Kenyan EPZ firm to make underwear
 
agoa.jpg


Workers at an EPZ factory in Nairobi. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NMG

Top global fashion brands have signed production contracts with local textile manufacturers, raising the profile of Kenya’s export processing zones (EPZ).

Calvin Klein, Arrow, Izod and Cherokee are among the international labels that have signed with Kenya-based firms, according to officials of the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA).

Other brands including Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) started local production in 2014 at Ashton Apparel.

Hela Clothing, a new EPZ firm, is manufacturing Calvin Klein underwear.

The company, currently employing 1,500 workers, is in the process of expanding in what will see it double its workforce.

New Wide Garments is manufacturing Arrow and Izod labels and employes more than 7,000 workers.

Global EPZ produces Cherokee brand of clothing and has 1,500 staff.

Favourite locations

The global fashion brands are looking to source more of their clothing items from Africa to reduce their reliance on Asia-based manufacturers.

Kenya and Ethiopia have emerged as favourite locations as multinationals diversify away from countries such as Bangladesh, one of the largest exporters of textiles.

The bulk of Kenya’s textiles are exported to the United States under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) agreement that allows for duty-free imports of select items from low-income countries in the continent.
Increased contract manufacturing in the country is expected to boost exports in the textile industry whose earnings and production has dropped significantly from its peak in the 1980s.

Peaked in 1984

Statistics from the African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation shows that the local textile industry peaked in 1984 with 52 mills.

Today, there are 21 mills currently operating at a capacity of less than 50 per cent.

Calvin Klein signs Kenyan EPZ firm to make underwear
humu huwezi waona mazombie wa nchi ya viwonder😀
 
A drop in the ocean, kwa wasio juwa kinachoendekea mtafurahia hii habari, lakini Kenya is loosing its competitiveness on cheap manufacturing kwa nchi kama Ethiopia na Tanzania. In fact it's 50% cheaper kushona nguo in Bangladesh than in Kenya. Wage cost is high, electricity cost is high, luck of water doesn't help.

Kenya pays factory workers twice as rival Bangladesh

The “Made in Kenya” narrative loses steam - African Business Magazine

Hivyo Bangladesh imekua Tanzania, mbona huwa mnakua na mazoea ya kutumia nchi za mbali kujibu hoja dhidi ya Kenya.
Mara oo unajua shilingi ya Kenya inaizidi ya Tanzania kwa sababu hata ya Japan ni pesa madafu lakini uchumi wao umezidi wa Kenya.
Mnakosa kuelewa kwamba nyie mnaagiza hadi pipi na sindano.
 
Hivyo Bangladesh imekua Tanzania, mbona huwa mnakua na mazoea ya kutumia nchi za mbali kujibu hoja dhidi ya Kenya.
Mara oo unajua shilingi ya Kenya inaizidi ya Tanzania kwa sababu hata ya Japan ni pesa madafu lakini uchumi wao umezidi wa Kenya.
Mnakosa kuelewa kwamba nyie mnaagiza hadi pipi na sindano.
Lengo lake ni kukuonyesha kwamba manufacturing sector in Kenya is not doing well due to competition from common competitors, China, India, Bangladesh and others, or for you it doesn't matter so long as competition is not from Tanzania?
 
Hivyo Bangladesh imekua Tanzania, mbona huwa mnakua na mazoea ya kutumia nchi za mbali kujibu hoja dhidi ya Kenya.
Mara oo unajua shilingi ya Kenya inaizidi ya Tanzania kwa sababu hata ya Japan ni pesa madafu lakini uchumi wao umezidi wa Kenya.
Mnakosa kuelewa kwamba nyie mnaagiza hadi pipi na sindano.

Ungesoma hizo link mbili ndio ungejuwa urefu wa kna cha maji. Kwa kifupi, Tanzania wamekuwa na afadhali katika gharama za uzalishaji kuliko Kenya. Kenya imekuwa ni nchi ya NIPE CHANGU NIFAIDIKE MAPEMA, kila mtu adai mshahara mkubwa lakini hamjuwi mnavyo ifanya nchi yenu kukosa vivutio vya uwekezaji kutokana na gharama za uzalishaji. Bangladesh sio nchi ya kuipuizia maana wawekezaji wanapanga foleni kuwekeza huko na sio Afrika. Matokeo yake badala ya kazi kuzalishwa afrika, zinazalishwa Bangladesh. Bakia hapo hapo unasema Tanzania inaagiza kuanzia pipi mpaka sindano, swali dogo kwako. Mwaka jana Kenya ilitumia kiasi gani kununua bidhaa kutoka nje na Tanzania ilitumia kiasi gani?
 
The whole of that investment haizidi $10 mln! No reason to boast about..
 
Kipofu kaona jua, mbona Tanzania tunatengeneza jeans za old navy, Levi's na brand nyingi za America tena tunauza US
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136515983_15023729643941n.jpg
JINZI-TANZANIA.JPG
DSC_5733.JPG


"I am very pleased to learn that Tooku in Tanzania is currently producing and exporting to the AGOA markets of USA top brand garments such as LEVIS, WRANGLER and PRIMARK... this is a highly commendable achievement to be able to develop a workforce that can produce garments that meet the high standard of international quality and cost benchmarks," he remarked.

He added that currently, there was a joint training programme sponsored by the government of Tanzania and the private sector from China.

In the end, he insisted, Tooku would employ a total of 6,000 workers, an increase from the current 1,500 workers.
 
Ungesoma hizo link mbili ndio ungejuwa urefu wa kna cha maji. Kwa kifupi, Tanzania wamekuwa na afadhali katika gharama za uzalishaji kuliko Kenya. Kenya imekuwa ni nchi ya NIPE CHANGU NIFAIDIKE MAPEMA, kila mtu adai mshahara mkubwa lakini hamjuwi mnavyo ifanya nchi yenu kukosa vivutio vya uwekezaji kutokana na gharama za uzalishaji. Bangladesh sio nchi ya kuipuizia maana wawekezaji wanapanga foleni kuwekeza huko na sio Afrika. Matokeo yake badala ya kazi kuzalishwa afrika, zinazalishwa Bangladesh. Bakia hapo hapo unasema Tanzania inaagiza kuanzia pipi mpaka sindano, swali dogo kwako. Mwaka jana Kenya ilitumia kiasi gani kununua bidhaa kutoka nje na Tanzania ilitumia kiasi gani?

Nimekuambia uwache kulinganisha na nchi za mbali, tubaki humu humu, nyie hapo kiviwanda mpo mbali sana kuikaribia Kenya.
 
Nimekuambia uwache kulinganisha na nchi za mbali, tubaki humu humu, nyie hapo kiviwanda mpo mbali sana kuikaribia Kenya.
Haya nimekuelwa, unaogopa nchi za mbali. Tukibaki hapa hapa EAC Kenya inafunga viwanda kila kukicha, wakati Tanzania tunafunguwa viwanda vipya kama wendawazimu, tena na mitambo ya kisasa. Lini mara ya mwisho Unilever walifunguwa kiwanda kipya?
 
Haya nimekuelwa, unaogopa nchi za mbali. Tukibaki hapa hapa EAC Kenya inafunga viwanda kila kukicha, wakati Tanzania tunafunguwa viwanda vipya kama wendawazimu, tena na mitambo ya kisasa. Lini mara ya mwisho Unilever walifunguwa kiwanda kipya?

Sijaogopa nch za mbali, nilichokukataza ni tabia zenu hizo za kujificha nyuma ya nchi za mbali kila mkitaka kujilinganisha na Kenya. Wale hawapo hapa kuwakingia kifua....

Halafu eti makampuni yanafunga Kenya, huo wimbo mliokaririshwa hapo na CCM nafikiri umeisha muda wake mkapate pambio mpya.
Juzi hapa mwaka jana hao unaowataja Unilever wamezindua kiwanda Kenya cha Sh155mn (shilingi ya Kenya sio hayo madafu yenu). Unilever sets up Sh155mn factory in Nairobi - Capital Business

Miezi ya hivi majuzi kampuni kumi za kimataifa zimezindua shughuli zao Kenya maana Wakenya wana nguvu kazi iliyoelimika na yenye bidii maana huo ndio mtaji wetu
Volvo, Johnson and Johnson, Boeing, Peugeot, DOB Equity na Tianlong

Mtakua hamuna akili znuri nyie, au unafikiria hivi ni vile viwanda vyenu vya cherahani.


Growing infrastructure, skilled workers lure foreign firms to Kenya
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Source: Xinhua | 2017-05-22 21:18:33 | Editor: huaxia

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Aerial photo taken on May 12, 2017 shows the Mazeras Bridge of the Mombasa-Nairobi standard gauge railway in Kenya. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

NAIROBI, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's improving infrastructure and a huge pool of young, skilled workers are attracting multinationals to invest in the East African nation.

At least 10 multinationals have entered Kenya in the last few months as the country solidifies its position as a regional commercial hub.

Volvo, Johnson and Johnson, Boeing, Peugeot, DOB Equity and Tianlong are some of the firms that have announced entrance into Kenya, by either setting up regional offices or started manufacturing plants.

Volvo Group is the latest entrant, announcing last week that it would invest 24 million U.S. dollars in an assembly plant in Mombasa in quarter one of 2018.

CnbbeeE005015_20170522_NBMFN0A003_11n.jpg
Pedestrians use the footbridge across the Chinese-built Thika Super Highway at Kenyatta University, just outside Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Aug. 8, 2012. Kenya's highways authority has advised pedestrians to use such footbridges, which are covered, to help prevent accidents. Chinese contractors are putting final touches on the super highway ready for handing over to the Kenya government soon. (Xinhua/Sam Ndirangu)

The plant shall be their third in Africa and 16th worldwide, with the others in Africa being in South Africa and Morocco.

In starting the plant, Volvo follows in the footsteps of Volkswagen, the German carmaker and Peugeot, the French car manufacturer, which opened plants in Kenya.

On the other hand, Tianlong, a Chinese gas cylinder manufacturer last week received the nod from Kenya Bureau of Standards to locally manufacture canisters for the East and West African market. The firm acquired land on the outskirts of Nairobi, with the office expected to be their African Hub.

In March, Johnson and Johnson, a public health goods maker, set up a regional office in Nairobi as it changed strategy from working with distributors. The Kenyan office is the third in Africa after one in Ghana and another in South Africa.

The setting up of the offices is a big boost to Kenyans as the organisations are creating job opportunities and raising the country's profile as an investment hub as government strives to improve ease of doing business.





CnbbeeE005015_20170522_NBMFN0A004_11n.jpg
Photo taken on Sept. 1, 2016 shows a construction site of the Standard gauge railway (SGR) project, in Mombassa, Kenya. The 480-kilometer SGR line in Kenya, being built by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), will run from Mombassa on the eastern coast to the capital Nairobi. The project will not only boost local economy, but also unleash massive benefits to the people of the country. (Xinhua/Pan Siwei)

The Volvo plant, for instance, is expected to create approximately 300 direct jobs in addition to their opened recently Volvo Trucks regional office in Nairobi as the company expands footprint in the East African region market

Similarly, the Tianlong plant shall offer direct employment to 200 skilled locals in the next year, according to the firm.

Cytonn, a Nairobi-based investment firm cites improving infrastructure, especially the construction of the gauge railway, rising number of skilled workers and a young population as the biggest attractions.

"We expect to witness more multinationals having a presence in Nairobi as it continues to solidify its position as not just a regional but also a continental hub. This will in the long run boost economic development," said Cytonn Monday.



CnbbeeE005015_20170522_NBMFN0A002_11n.jpg
The photo taken on Aug. 14, 2012, road signs are being put up across the busy Chinese-built Thika Super Highway in Nairobi, capital of Kenya. Chinese contractors are putting final touches on the super highway ready for the handing over to the Kenya government soon. (Xinhua/Sam Ndirangu)

Henry Wandera, an economics lecturer in Nairobi, noted that besides the improving infrastructure, growing incomes among citizens are also luring multinationals to the country.

"Companies setting up shop in Kenya see it as a gateway to East Africa but before their products reach other countries, they know they have a good market in Kenya. Vehicles like Volvo if manufactured in Kenya will easily find market in the country," he said.

Kenya is currently in the process of setting up a one-stop shop for investment promotion to boost foreign direct investment from the current less than 2 percent to 10 percent of the gross domestic product.

In 2015, Kenya posted the fastest growth in foreign direct investment in Africa and the Middle East by receiving about 1.5 billion dollars.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary in his budget in March announced a number of tax incentives to attract foreign investment.

Growing infrastructure, skilled workers lure foreign firms to Kenya - Xinhua | English.news.cn
 
Sijaogopa nch za mbali, nilichokukataza ni tabia zenu hizo za kujificha nyuma ya nchi za mbali kila mkitaka kujilinganisha na Kenya. Wale hawapo hapa kuwakingia kifua....

Halafu eti makampuni yanafunga Kenya, huo wimbo mliokaririshwa hapo na CCM nafikiri umeisha muda wake mkapate pambio mpya.
Juzi hapa mwaka jana hao unaowataja Unilever wamezindua kiwanda Kenya cha Sh155mn (shilingi ya Kenya sio hayo madafu yenu). Unilever sets up Sh155mn factory in Nairobi - Capital Business

Miezi ya hivi majuzi kampuni kumi za kimataifa zimezindua shughuli zao Kenya maana Wakenya wana nguvu kazi iliyoelimika na yenye bidii maana huo ndio mtaji wetu
Volvo, Johnson and Johnson, Boeing, Peugeot, DOB Equity na Tianlong

Mtakua hamuna akili znuri nyie, au unafikiria hivi ni vile viwanda vyenu vya cherahani.


Growing infrastructure, skilled workers lure foreign firms to Kenya
bigphoto_tit3_b.gif
bigphoto_tit6_b.gif
Source: Xinhua | 2017-05-22 21:18:33 | Editor: huaxia

CnbbeeE005015_20170522_NBMFN0A001_11n.jpg


Aerial photo taken on May 12, 2017 shows the Mazeras Bridge of the Mombasa-Nairobi standard gauge railway in Kenya. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

NAIROBI, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's improving infrastructure and a huge pool of young, skilled workers are attracting multinationals to invest in the East African nation.

At least 10 multinationals have entered Kenya in the last few months as the country solidifies its position as a regional commercial hub.

Volvo, Johnson and Johnson, Boeing, Peugeot, DOB Equity and Tianlong are some of the firms that have announced entrance into Kenya, by either setting up regional offices or started manufacturing plants.

Volvo Group is the latest entrant, announcing last week that it would invest 24 million U.S. dollars in an assembly plant in Mombasa in quarter one of 2018.

CnbbeeE005015_20170522_NBMFN0A003_11n.jpg
Pedestrians use the footbridge across the Chinese-built Thika Super Highway at Kenyatta University, just outside Nairobi, capital of Kenya, Aug. 8, 2012. Kenya's highways authority has advised pedestrians to use such footbridges, which are covered, to help prevent accidents. Chinese contractors are putting final touches on the super highway ready for handing over to the Kenya government soon. (Xinhua/Sam Ndirangu)

The plant shall be their third in Africa and 16th worldwide, with the others in Africa being in South Africa and Morocco.

In starting the plant, Volvo follows in the footsteps of Volkswagen, the German carmaker and Peugeot, the French car manufacturer, which opened plants in Kenya.

On the other hand, Tianlong, a Chinese gas cylinder manufacturer last week received the nod from Kenya Bureau of Standards to locally manufacture canisters for the East and West African market. The firm acquired land on the outskirts of Nairobi, with the office expected to be their African Hub.

In March, Johnson and Johnson, a public health goods maker, set up a regional office in Nairobi as it changed strategy from working with distributors. The Kenyan office is the third in Africa after one in Ghana and another in South Africa.

The setting up of the offices is a big boost to Kenyans as the organisations are creating job opportunities and raising the country's profile as an investment hub as government strives to improve ease of doing business.





CnbbeeE005015_20170522_NBMFN0A004_11n.jpg
Photo taken on Sept. 1, 2016 shows a construction site of the Standard gauge railway (SGR) project, in Mombassa, Kenya. The 480-kilometer SGR line in Kenya, being built by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), will run from Mombassa on the eastern coast to the capital Nairobi. The project will not only boost local economy, but also unleash massive benefits to the people of the country. (Xinhua/Pan Siwei)

The Volvo plant, for instance, is expected to create approximately 300 direct jobs in addition to their opened recently Volvo Trucks regional office in Nairobi as the company expands footprint in the East African region market

Similarly, the Tianlong plant shall offer direct employment to 200 skilled locals in the next year, according to the firm.

Cytonn, a Nairobi-based investment firm cites improving infrastructure, especially the construction of the gauge railway, rising number of skilled workers and a young population as the biggest attractions.

"We expect to witness more multinationals having a presence in Nairobi as it continues to solidify its position as not just a regional but also a continental hub. This will in the long run boost economic development," said Cytonn Monday.



CnbbeeE005015_20170522_NBMFN0A002_11n.jpg
The photo taken on Aug. 14, 2012, road signs are being put up across the busy Chinese-built Thika Super Highway in Nairobi, capital of Kenya. Chinese contractors are putting final touches on the super highway ready for the handing over to the Kenya government soon. (Xinhua/Sam Ndirangu)

Henry Wandera, an economics lecturer in Nairobi, noted that besides the improving infrastructure, growing incomes among citizens are also luring multinationals to the country.

"Companies setting up shop in Kenya see it as a gateway to East Africa but before their products reach other countries, they know they have a good market in Kenya. Vehicles like Volvo if manufactured in Kenya will easily find market in the country," he said.

Kenya is currently in the process of setting up a one-stop shop for investment promotion to boost foreign direct investment from the current less than 2 percent to 10 percent of the gross domestic product.

In 2015, Kenya posted the fastest growth in foreign direct investment in Africa and the Middle East by receiving about 1.5 billion dollars.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary in his budget in March announced a number of tax incentives to attract foreign investment.

Growing infrastructure, skilled workers lure foreign firms to Kenya - Xinhua | English.news.cn
2015 ndio mara ya mwisho Unilever walifunguwa kiwanda, baada ya hapo hakuna mpango mwingine. Nchi walizokuwa wanazitegemea kuuza bidhaa zao na wao wanajijengea uwezo. Ni usani tuu kusema makapuni ya magari yanakimbilia Kenya kwasababu ya mazingira mazuri, wakiuza magari 50 kwa mwaka wanashukuru Mungu. Hivi lile agizo la rais Kenyatta la GoK inunuwe Volkswagen Polo tuu lilitekelezwa?

Mpango wa One Belt One Road ndio msumari wa mwisho wa uzalishaji Kenya, kama hamjuwi kisoma alama za nyakati ni bora mjifunze haraka sana.
 
Tutafika tu! Calvin Klein baby[emoji122] [emoji191] [emoji123]
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2015 ndio mara ya mwisho Unilever walifunguwa kiwanda, baada ya hapo hakuna mpango mwingine. Nchi walizokuwa wanazitegemea kuuza bidhaa zao na wao wanajijengea uwezo. Ni usani tuu kusema makapuni ya magari yanakimbilia Kenya kwasababu ya mazingira mazuri, wakiuza magari 50 kwa mwaka wanashukuru Mungu. Hivi lile agizo la rais Kenyatta la GoK inunuwe Volkswagen Polo tuu lilitekelezwa?

Mpango wa One Belt One Road ndio msumari wa mwisho wa uzalishaji Kenya, kama hamjuwi kisoma alama za nyakati ni bora mjifunze haraka sana.
Hivi vi-assembly plant ni matter of seconds vinaweza kuwa sabotaged, Kenya hutumia EA market ku-lure hao jamaa ila haimaanishi kuwa hawawezi kufungua upande wa pili!
 
Kipofu kaona jua, mbona Tanzania tunatengeneza jeans za old navy, Levi's na brand nyingi za America tena tunauza US
IMGS0505.jpg
136515983_15023729643941n.jpg
JINZI-TANZANIA.JPG
DSC_5733.JPG


"I am very pleased to learn that Tooku in Tanzania is currently producing and exporting to the AGOA markets of USA top brand garments such as LEVIS, WRANGLER and PRIMARK... this is a highly commendable achievement to be able to develop a workforce that can produce garments that meet the high standard of international quality and cost benchmarks," he remarked.

He added that currently, there was a joint training programme sponsored by the government of Tanzania and the private sector from China.

In the end, he insisted, Tooku would employ a total of 6,000 workers, an increase from the current 1,500 workers.


Fyi, Kenya alone exported clothes to Agoa worth 320b$ last year while Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda combined only managed 45bn$.

Your apparel industry is still too small to compare with Kenya's
 
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