Zimbabwe: SZCC considers cutting shifts as downturn hits sales

The Sino Zimbabwe Cement Company (SZCC), which operates an integrated plant in Gweru in central Zimbabwe, has said that it is considering reducing the number of shifts at the facility from three to just one in the face of declining sales.

Zimbabwe’s economy has suffered from a prolonged drought, while manufacturers have also had to contend with smuggled cement from South Africa.

Speaking to the Business Chronicle, SZCC managing director, Wang Yong, said: “We have a significant decrease in demand in the cement industry this year and as a company we have experienced a 25 per cent fall. As a company we are exploring options because we are holding on to stock, which is not being taken up.

“We are still running three shifts, but based on the demand we will consider running a day shift only in response to the market environment. At the moment our silos are full and we have enough stocks to serve the entire market.”

However, Mr Yong said that despite this the company remained committed to Zimbabwe and was pushing ahead with its investment plans.