ITB Manufacturing is recognised as one of the country’s leading plastic bag manufacturers, particularly considering the local impact this business has had on rural KwaZulu-Natal.
ITB has grown consistently since it was established in the mid-1980s by continually investing in its production capacity, enabling it to occupy a market-leading position. Situated in Isithebe, about 100km north of Durban, this multiple award-winning business employs more than 400 people from the local community, of whom around half are women.
The IDC’s chemicals and allied industries unit has facilitated this growth by providing loans and development funding valued at more than R15-million over the past five years. In this time, ITB has introduced new machinery to improve its production capabilities and efficiencies to maintain its ISO 9001:2008 quality management accreditation.
“Investing substantially in the latest technology keeps us ahead of our competitors, setting new standards and given us a growing client list of leading brands and retailers,” says company management.
“The management philosophy at ITB is to continue to invest in top-of-the-range plant and machinery. This commitment to top quality machinery allows us to manufacture a wide range of products with technically-superior properties.”
ITB is the market leader in general and specialist plastic carrier bags used by South Africa’s leading retail brands. Its products include a wide range of loop and patch handle bags that are branded according to its clients’s specifications.
Heavy-duty carrier bags, as well as form, fill and seal film that is used primarily in the food industry, are also produced. It continues to invest in local communities and has been recognised several times by its peers for its commitment to excellence and innovation.
Its commitment to the country is evident in ITB Manufacturing’s level 3 broad-based black economic empowerment rating, which is largely due largely to its 34% black ownership.
Women own almost 25% of ITB and the company has also invested heavily in social development; it has established a daycare centre at its premises to provide daycare and education up to Grade R for children in the area and supports HIV/Aids education.
The long-term sustainability of the business and that of the community has also been bolstered by ITB’s involvement in offering a manufacturing, engineering and related services sector education and training authority training programme to help develop local skills.
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