The Sh51million new state-of-the-art granular machine that has been installed at De La Rue factory in Kenya. It will allow De La Rue to securely manage end of life note destruction and disposal. [Photo/corporatetalk.co.ke]

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De La Rue is currently investing Sh286 million expanding its site in Kenya to strengthen and underpin its local operations. 

This is part of a long-term investment of Sh1.4bn to upgrade the site 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 says the huge investment in the expansion of the site will standardise the firm’s global manufacturing footprint and increase its overall flexibility and capability. 

This has the potential to create more jobs and enhances Kenya’s high tech export capability. There are currently 300 employees on site. 

Amongst other new capabilities, the upgrade includes the installation of a state of the art Komori Varnish Press and an increase in the overall factory size. 

Mackenzie says the Varnish Press will enhance DLR Kenya’s 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 local Kenyan companies and all support services were sourced via the strong local Kenyan supply chain.

“This phase of the project is on plan for completion early 2018 and has brought together approximately 100 skilled Kenyan tradesmen from the local area,” he says.

The new destruction system is being installed at a cost of Sh51.2million and will allow De La Rue to securely manage end of life note destruction and disposal in accordance with its world-class ISO 14298 and DIN66399 certifications.

It will also enable the firm to offer a complete one-stop-shop service to existing and potential customers, from design to destruction, in a highly secure environment and manage end of life note destruction and disposal for any banknote securely.

“The end waste product from the system is used as part of the De La Rue Kenya corporate social responsibility to the local community,” he says.

The Sh28.7million air-lock loading bay will also ensure the firm continues to meet its commitment to ISO 14298 and its Intergraf accreditation requirements. 

Its design and construction is being undertaken by local Kenyan companies and on plan for completion next month. The DLR Kenya site has been manufacturing for 25 years.

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