ALAF unveils 63bn/

ALAF Limited, which is part of the Safal Group of companies, has unveiled a multibillion-shilling new colour coating line project that is aimed at saving the country over 190 million US dollars (475bn/-) over five years.

The largest corrugated iron producers in the country will invest some 25 million US dollars (62.5bn/-) for the new line to stay ahead of the competition in building solutions providers in the country and East Africa region. The project is expected to go into production next December.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, said the investment will put the building solutions company an edge above the rest in the region.

“ALAF values [its customers] by producing quality products for them and the nation as a whole,” Dr Biteko, who was chief guest, said during the foundation stone laying ceremony.

The ceremony to launch the line was attended by top ALAF management, customers and stakeholders over the weekend.

He said such a level of investment is a result of government efforts in opening doors and creating a conducive environment for investors to freely operate and an indication of the firm’s inward thinking to avert dependence on imports.

The Deputy Premier challenged other steel products manufacturers to emulate ALAF and invest heavily to ensure more quality products at lower prices.

“The technology applied here is state of the art and this is an assurance that we will get top quality products that are efficiently produced at low cost.

“This also guarantees us a sustainable economy and the ability to compete in the international market,” he said.

The ALAF Chief Executive Officer Ashish Mistry said the 25 million US dollars project aimed at enhancing the existing industrial infrastructure through installation of a state-of-the-art continuous Colour Coating Line (CCL) with three coaters using a double coat paint system.

“The core focus of this project is the seamless integration of the cutting-edge continuous colour coating line within our manufacturing facility,” he told attended guests.

The tech-advanced line will employ a superior paint system to coat alu-zinc coils which ensures exceptional durability and resistance to external elements including the harsh marine environments existing in the coastal regions of the country.

One of the key features of the new CCL is the addition of a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO), which captures the volatile compounds generated during the painting and baking process and recycles the same without emitting them into the atmosphere hence ensuring zero pollution around the site.

According to ALAF, the new line will generate additional direct and indirect employment for 30 people and 250 respectively.

ALAF started operations in the country in 1960 and ever since offers complete building solutions, including coated roofing products, pipes and sections, cold-rolled products, light gauge steel trussing and framing solutions.