Kenya: Press Releases: Eveready Commissions New Equipment

Friday, 03 July 2009

Nakuru, 30 June 2000 --- Eveready East Africa Limited (EEAL) today commissioned new battery manufacturing equipment at its Nakuru plant. The installation of the new paste area cost over KES24m. The project scope was to design and install a paste manufacturing plant capable of meeting the current and future technological demands of battery manufacture. Speaking in Nakuru during the official launch of this process equipment, EEAL Managing Director Steve Smith said that the installation of the new paste area was just one part of the company’s long-term strategy to manufacture quality, safe and environmentally friendly products. During the past three years, Eveready has spent over KES120m on equipment and facility upgrades. Other equipment new to its Nakuru operation included zinc can manufacturing equipment, conveyors, vertical boxing equipment and a new higher capacity main transformer. EEAL have also designed and built a new automatic sleeving equipment which is part of packaging equipment upgrades planned for Nakuru. He also said that the installation of the new paste manufacturing facility was in line with the company’s business realignment strategy, which includes product diversification, aimed at strengthening the company’s financial base. Mr. Smith also reminded the government of its responsibility to provide a fair business environment for companies like Eveready who have invested in Kenya and employ hundreds of Kenyans. A sub-standard battery list which has been published by Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) for approximately seven years which bans specific battery brands from Kenya has not been effective; as currently banned battery account for approximately 2m batteries sold every month in Kenya. He also asked the Government to show proof that all “D-regular” dry cell batteries currently sold in Kenya meet the 10 Ohm Radio Test of 18 hours service level from their market surveillance programs. He also expressed concerns about the under-value of some batteries in order to evade taxes by asking the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to closely monitor the declared value of imported “D” batteries, requesting that currently laws and regulations be enforced. Mr. Smith also commented that the new facility provides EEAL with flexibility in manufacturing of paste for its Le Clanche battery technology with improved operational safety and improved energy efficiency. The new paste area will also reduced its cost of maintenance and will allow Eveready to continue to its long standing commitment for sustainable products that reduce any environmental impact they may have. He also commented on its more advance Zinc Chloride battery production equipment is ready to meet consumer battery needs as they purchase devices which required batteries with higher energy requirements. Mr. Smith thanked the local contractors and to EEAL employees for the excellent work and meeting the quality and budget requirements for this project.         Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment Show/Hide comment form Name Email Title Comment smaller | bigger Subscribe via email (Registered users only) I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage. Add Comment