Eveready’s diversification has gained momentum after shareholders approved two key projects.
During the 48th AGM held today (Thursday) in Nakuru, shareholders gave the nod to the management to sell idle equipment at the closed factory in Nakuru as well as the green light to partner with Orbit Chemicals to create a joint 50-50 manufacturing venture.
“This gives us an opportunity to diversify into new products, which fits in well with our strategic plan that is anchored on diversification. The approval now allows the management and board to set in motion plans to actualise these strategic decisions,” said Jackson Mutua, the Managing Director of Eveready East Africa.
Mutua said disposing of the equipment will allow the utilisation of the factory land profitably and that a feasibility study has been done to identify the best investment options. The equipment have already been written off in the company’s books.
“We want to see if we can set up a Shopping Mall or Hospitality facility,” said Mutua.
The joint manufacturing venture will give Eveready a presence in the household manufacturing segment, including production of detergents, which is considered a growth sector in Kenya.
“The partnership will apply only to the specific products that will be manufactured and does not affect he entire company,”
He told shareholders that the company has already launched a quality range of car batteries for a broad spectrum of usage under the TURBO® brand in its household category. The batteries are manufactured by Chloride Egypt.
Besides, he said, Eveready has also introduced a range of incandescent and energy saving bulbs under the EVEREADY® brand name.
“Eveready will continue to unveil new products across personal care, energy and household categories in the coming months. Consumer and market reception of our new products so far has been fantastic and we look forward to embedding the new products into our consumer spending culture and deepening its contribution to our business,” added Mutua.