De La Rue offices[photo/capitalfm.co.ke]
De La Rue Currency & Security Print (Kenya) Ltd has invested Sh286 million ($2.9 million) towards the expansion of its operations.
This is part of the Sh1.4 billion funds meant to upgrade the firm to become a regional hub for East Africa and the wider continent and a global centre of excellence for De La Rue.
De La Rue’s marketing director Robin Mackenzie said the expansion will standardise the firm’s global manufacturing footprint and increase its overall flexibility and capability.
The new development is likely to assist in creating more jobs and enhancing Kenya’s high-tech export capability. Currently, the company has more than 300 employees.The upgrade includes the installation of a state-of-the-art Komori Varnish Press and an increase in the overall factory size.
Mackenzie said the Varnish Press will enhance service offering and its technical capability to meet the increasing market demand for more durable varnished banknotes.
The design and construction of the building are being undertaken by Kenyan companies and all support services were sourced via the strong local Kenyan supply chain.
“This phase of the project is on a plan for completion early 2018 and has brought together approximately 100 skilled Kenyan tradesmen from the local area,” he says.
The state-of-the-art new destruction system is being installed at a cost of Sh51.2 million and will enable De La Rue to securely manage end of life note destruction and disposal in accordance with its world-class ISO 14298 and DIN66399 certifications.