Newsroom
Search:
News Article - Textiles
PE textile firm leader in Africa
Posted on: Thursday, 30 March 2006. Article source: The Herald
Port Elizabeth-based manufacturer of waterproof-breathable textiles, BreatheTex, has experienced strong growth in its business since it engaged African Management Services Company (Amsco) to help it build its management and technical capacity.
The company was established to commercialise a textile lamination technology developed by the CSIR and sought the help of Amsco four years ago to boost its sales and access new export markets.
It has since raked in a number of joint ventures including a black empowerment consortium Ilithe Technologies, has the CSIR as its technology partner and as its funding partners it has Brait Technology & Innovation Fund, Vantage Capital and the Industrial Development Corporation.
Its core business is the lamination of lightweight, breathable membranes to create laminated textiles used in a range of applications.
Its lamination process creates waterproof fabrics based on thin (10 micron) and light (5g/mē), yet durable membranes.
The textiles are used to create items such as safety gear for firemen; foul weather clothing for public safety officials; operating theatre gowns, covers and drapes; light clothing that gives outdoor enthusiasts protection from the elements; tents and sleeping bags, and sportswear for golfers, sailors and cyclists.
Despite the strength of its technology, BreatheTex faced a range of challenges in its business four years ago when it called on Amsco's help.
Amsco appointed Davide Pavesio as an interim research, sales and marketing manager at BreatheTex, tasked with helping the company to turn its research and development into a commercial product and to market the product effectively.
Since then, the business has emerged as a world-class player in its specialist industry with a strong client base in the local and international private and public sectors. From 2000 to 2004, BreatheTex has shown a 422% growth in revenues from R9,5-million to R38-million and has grown from a staff of nine to 49 people.
BreatheTex now claims to be the only company in Africa able to deliver high-performance, waterproof, breathable fabrics that meet the most stringent international specifications.
As research, sales and marketing manager Pavesio has helped BreatheTex to develop and offer commercially competitive products as well as to position itself in the global market.
He has also helped BreatheTex to develop a broad and sustainable base of skills.
More than 90% of open positions have been filled with previously disadvantaged individuals and the technical team has grown from one to six, with five PDIs on the team.
BreatheTex has received a number of industry awards, among them the Technology Top 100, the President's Award for Export, the Eastern Cape's Top Export Company, and Africa SMME of the Year.
The company was established to commercialise a textile lamination technology developed by the CSIR and sought the help of Amsco four years ago to boost its sales and access new export markets.
It has since raked in a number of joint ventures including a black empowerment consortium Ilithe Technologies, has the CSIR as its technology partner and as its funding partners it has Brait Technology & Innovation Fund, Vantage Capital and the Industrial Development Corporation.
Its core business is the lamination of lightweight, breathable membranes to create laminated textiles used in a range of applications.
Its lamination process creates waterproof fabrics based on thin (10 micron) and light (5g/mē), yet durable membranes.
The textiles are used to create items such as safety gear for firemen; foul weather clothing for public safety officials; operating theatre gowns, covers and drapes; light clothing that gives outdoor enthusiasts protection from the elements; tents and sleeping bags, and sportswear for golfers, sailors and cyclists.
Despite the strength of its technology, BreatheTex faced a range of challenges in its business four years ago when it called on Amsco's help.
Amsco appointed Davide Pavesio as an interim research, sales and marketing manager at BreatheTex, tasked with helping the company to turn its research and development into a commercial product and to market the product effectively.
Since then, the business has emerged as a world-class player in its specialist industry with a strong client base in the local and international private and public sectors. From 2000 to 2004, BreatheTex has shown a 422% growth in revenues from R9,5-million to R38-million and has grown from a staff of nine to 49 people.
BreatheTex now claims to be the only company in Africa able to deliver high-performance, waterproof, breathable fabrics that meet the most stringent international specifications.
As research, sales and marketing manager Pavesio has helped BreatheTex to develop and offer commercially competitive products as well as to position itself in the global market.
He has also helped BreatheTex to develop a broad and sustainable base of skills.
More than 90% of open positions have been filled with previously disadvantaged individuals and the technical team has grown from one to six, with five PDIs on the team.
BreatheTex has received a number of industry awards, among them the Technology Top 100, the President's Award for Export, the Eastern Cape's Top Export Company, and Africa SMME of the Year.
Article Tags: No tags defined
Podcast
ECDC Xhosa Radio Ad
