KwaZulu Quilts (KZQ). a linen CMT in Salt River, realised its first profitable month in October 2008 after only four months in operation.

Started in July 2008, KZQ, which is partially owned by PSA, supplies bed and table linen products to the hospitality sector. The factory now employs 10 machinists and six indirects.

“Our projected turnover for our first year in operation is R0.7m – we intendto grow this to well over R1m in 2009/10 when we start to manufacture our own Gentle Living range” said Fazeelah Ibrahim, Co-Owner and Factory Manager.

Geoff Schreiner, one of the Directors, indicated that the biggest challenge to date has been getting willing and motivated staff. “We are gradually establishing our team for this phase but we still have a few critical vacancies to fill” he said.