A local small, medium and micro-sized enterprise (SMME), which is part of the Raizcorp fast-growth programme, wishes to expand its operation.
The company, Kala Lifestyle is a manufacturing company, started by Chaz Ngaka around 10 years ago and has, through the years, grown to supply and manufacture for various companies.
The SMME was recently given the opportunity to showcase its company at Raizcorp, based in Sandton.
Sanelisiwe Mavuso marketing and communications at Kala Lifestyle said the company has a factory based in Johannesburg, focused on the retail market with a full capacity for retailers.
They do bulk and retail for Contempo, Edcon SA and Edcon Zimbabwe and this year they are working with brands such as Lee Cooper. They receive the designs from a retailer and will then start the manufacturing process from beginning to end.
“Sometimes we are able to pitch their own designs, where clients can then choose the designs they want,” said Mavuso.
She said the company slogan is, More than a Garment and it also offers a corporate range as part of its in-house brands, which tailor-make the corporate range for a company.
“We want you to be comfortable in the skin you’re in. We also have a plus-size range and we attempt to source fabrics that work for plus-size women with curves,” she said.
The company is still small with six full-time employees at the office front and in the factory and depending on the type of garment operations, there are between seven and 50 people in the factory.
Mavuso said some of the biggest challenges are to keep clients once you have them. “Procuring clients is not that difficult, but keeping up with them and their requirements, is harder. Clothing manufacturing is also very cash-intensive with the procurement of fabrics.
“We are still growing and as an SMME we always look for new opportunities and, moving forward, we want to create a truly South African range made for our climate and body shapes.”
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