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The UNO Sewing EXPO – 2019

From our humble beginnings in 1989, Uno Sewing Machinery has since succeeded in positioning itself as a market leader in the industrial sewing machinery supply chain.  Through our unrelenting quest in the acquisition of expertise and source base we have maintained this position for 30 years.

Four generations of relationship building in the apparel industry has facilitated our strategic footprint. We pride ourselves on being a preferred supplier in this industry, throughout the African sub-continent.

Boasting a world class showroom we are able to comprehensively cater for the ever evolving market and all related manufacturing requirements. Our extensive range of spare parts and accessories, combined with our equipped technical department, assures high efficiency and quality after-sales service.

With service excellence and client satisfaction as our cornerstones, we are proficient to provide a 1-stop quick response, custom made solution to our ever growing client base. As part of the Uno Family, our clients enjoy the benefits of being linked to a solid network within their manufacturing sector.

Uno Sewing Machinery is always focused on current market related issues and opportunities to support and impart expertise and skills, thus ensuring a lasting legacy. Highlighting our dedication and continuous commitment to social upliftment is our Level 1 BBBEE status and our mutually beneficial partnerships with governmental departments, corporates and the SMME’s.

With stats which are leaning towards the costs of apparel manufacturing increasing in Eastern countries, to degrees much more than the cost in South Africa, lucrativeness in the market is building. Quality, on-time deliveries and efficiencies are the driving factors that make manufacturers in allied to clothing, linen, upholstery and textile related industries look at expertise, training and equipment to support an evolving process and flow on the factory floor.

We have invited our key suppliers and principles, including: Shingling, Siruba, Jaki, Yin, Euratex, UniSun, and our flagship, the Kingstar brand manufactures, where we will exhibit the Premium C – , E – & S – type machinery models, in a lean production line environment, as well as sew-free equipment, and world class modular sewing systems and stations. We’ve never claimed to have a smarter or larger or a sewing solution, but we aim for continuous improvement in quality, service, and product range. That’s why we have also invited a world class process manufacturer, our key, our corporate, our state owned, our best, our favorite clients, and you, to join us at our 30 Year Celebration Machinery Expo. The event will be hosted over 3 days at our Johannesburg Head Office complex, from 28 to 30 May 2019, daily from 1pm to 6pm. The daily plan will include our guest speakers, visual displays, daily discounts, snacks, gifts, catalogues, presentations, and latest technology equipment displays.

We are geared up for the future, and look forward to another 30 prosperous years of partnership where we strive to inspire, empower and create opportunities hand-in-hand with our valued clients.

For more information, schedules and support please contact: directsales1@unosewing.co.za

Kenya’s exports under AGOA deal grow by 25% in 2018

Kenya’s exports of duty-free goods—primarily textile products—to the United States under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) grew by 25 per cent last year—one of the biggest leaps in nine years, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). The value of the goods increased from Sh33.1 billion in 2017 to Sh41.6 billion last year.

Capital investment rose to Sh96.3 billion in 2018 from Sh95.3 billion in 2017, while direct employment in the sub-sector increased by 5.1 per cent to 46,248 persons in 2018, according to Kenyan media reports.

AGOA exports accounted for 88 per cent of the total goods shipped to the United States in 2018, KNBS said.

Agoa allows Kenya to export selected goods at preferential terms to the US, exempting them from paying tax. F2F

Uganda formulating plan to revamp textile-spparel sector

Uganda is formulating a strategy to revamp its cotton, textiles and apparel (CTA) sector to tap into the global market and has identified the sector as a development priority, given its potential for foreign investment and jobs. The plans follow similar efforts to exploit the US African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA), where Uganda’s earnings have been modest.

The CTA sector ranks high among priorities under the third edition of the National Development Plan that is scheduled for launch later this year. Over the coming months, a comprehensive sector development strategy for the cotton value chain will be developed.

Although AGOA offers a big opportunity, Uganda’s prospects have been hampered by a number of policy and market issues. Exports have been dominated by low volume products like handicrafts and interior décor, according to an Ugandan daily.

According to figures shared by Msingi East Africa, a not-for-profit organisation that supports economic sectors with high potential to drive large-scale growth, during a recent Uganda CTA strategy development meeting organised by the National Planning Authority, the global apparel manufacturing market was worth $785.9 billion in 2018. But Uganda’s CTA earnings totalled just $22 million, with the European Union being the main destination.

Lint dominated exports and only 12 per cent of the 37,000 tonnes of cotton lint that Uganda produced during the 2017-18 season was consumed in the domestic market.

Msingi East Africa is optimistic that Uganda’s CTA goals are achievable because with a quarter a million growers and surplus ginning capacity, Uganda is capable of producing 185,000 tons of lint annually. F2F

Cotton industry in Zimbabwe targets $1bn earnings annually

The Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco) plans to put at least 100,000 hectares under commercial cotton cultivation, with the sector poised to annually generate a minimum of $1 billion, according to managing director Pious Manamike, who recently said his company would start focussing on large estates keeping in view the climate-change issues being experienced.

Manamike was speaking at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF).

Large tracts of virgin land in Mashonaland Central, Kanyemba area (along the Zambezi Valley), Masvingo, and Matabeleland North in Binga area are being explored for the project, a newspaper report in the country quoted him as saying.

In Zimbabwe, cotton is largely grown in Mashonaland West, the Midlands, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central provinces while in Matabeleland North only Binga district has over the years commercially grown the crop.

Over the last 50 years, Cottco has managed to produce 250,000 tonnes of the white gold using communal farmers. It is hoped that the figure will exponentially rise through the planned commercial farming programme across the country.

Cotton output in the southern African country of Zimbabwe has risen by 76 per cent year-on-year to 130,000 tonnes in the 2018 marketing season. The output is the highest in nearly five years, and has been achieved due to government support under the Presidential Inputs Scheme.

Under the Presidential Inputs Scheme, the government gave various free support initiatives to farmers to help them increase their cotton cultivation. F2F

Did you know……..

People used to hand-stitch their own clothes before 1850. Clothing was seen as essential rather than fashionable among the poor.

In the 1600’s, pregnancy was considered fashionable. Women would often put cushions underneath their clothes to try and create a realistic bump.