Jumbo Steel Mills in Kisumu has invested Sh400 million in new trucks in a major revamp of its transport fleet.
The company bought 82 trucks from Isuzu East Africa.
The new Sh2 billion company, which owns Ndovu Tanks and Ndovu Mattresses, has opened a new factory on the Kisumu-Kericho road.
The company manufactures PVC water tanks and mattresses.
Isuzu sales director Wanjohi Kangangi said the purchase of the trucks by Jumbo Steel Mills reaffirmed Isuzu’s position as the leading vehicle brand in Kenya.
“We are honoured to hand over 82 assorted FRR trucks and NQR trucks to Jumbo Steel Mills to cater to their transport and logistics needs,” he said.
He spoke during the handing over of the vehicles to the company on Sunday. More than 300 Jumbo Steel Mills customers from Kisumu and its environs attended the event.
Wanjohi thanked Jumbo Steel Mills management for their great demonstration of the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative that seeks to promote consumption of local products.
Jumbo managing director Harsh Patel said the company, founded by his father Indravandan Patel in 1990 as a small hardware store in Kisumu, has invested billions in the new firm.
The factory sits on 27 acres with warehouses covering 400,000 square feet. “We have since grown and become one of the largest steel manufacturers in Kenya,” he said.
Harsh said the government’s move to renovate Lake Victoria Port has rejuvenated lake-based trade between EAC member countries.
"The repair of the railway line to Kisumu and the road network has eased transport of raw materials and finished goods,” he said.
Harsh said the availability of skilled labour in Kisumu county informed the decision to make the investment.
The facility employs more than 800 workers directly and indirectly. "We manufacture various kinds of steel products such as rebars, MS sections, wire products and hollow sections used in the construction industry," he said.
“As part of our diversification strategy, we have invested more than $17 million in this state-of-the-art facility."
The facility will produce mattresses of various kinds such as pocket spring mattresses, bonnet spring mattresses and the traditional mattresses which are used for schools.
The tanks and mattresses will be distributed across Kenya, the lake region and neighbouring EAC member countries.
Isuzu EA aftersales director Julius Mwangi pledged maintenance and service support for the fleet through the 55 authorised Isuzu service centres across Kenya.
Isuzu East Africa chairman Hiroshi Hisatomi said they will continue to invest in manufacturing.
“In 2022, Isuzu Motors will be marking its fifth year in Kenya since taking up the business from General Motors in 2017, to exclusively assemble and sell Isuzu models in Kenya” Hiroshi said.
Edited by A.N
