BAWANA CHEMICALS
| Business Location: | Township |
| Province | Eastern Cape |
| Branch: | Amathole |
| Business Start Date: | 2022-10-27 |
| Busniess Type: | Company |
Business Dynamics and Challenges
Business Activities:
Bawana Chemicals offers a diverse range of cleaning detergents for household and automotive applications, including multi-purpose cleaners, dishwashing liquids, and car care products.
Challenges/Needs:
Bawana Chemicals faced several challenges typical for early-stage manufacturing businesses, especially in a resource-constrained environment like Duncan Village:
1. Limited Access to Capital
Before receiving the SEDFA Asset Assist grant, the company struggled to secure funds for machinery and raw materials - this limited production capacity and delayed scaling.
2. Infrastructure Constraints
Operating from a backroom meant space and layout limitations for efficient workflow - upgrading the workspace required additional investment and planning.
3. Market Penetration
Breaking into the competitive cleaning and detergent market was difficult without strong branding and distribution networks -building trust among retailers and customers took time.
4. Supply Chain Volatility
Sourcing raw materials consistently and at affordable prices was a challenge, especially during periods of price fluctuations.
Intervention Insights and Results
Intervention Details:
Diagnostic assessment; and
Facilitation of access to funding through the development of a comprehensive funding proposal to comply with the Sedfa funding requirements.
Facilitation of access to funding through the development of a comprehensive funding proposal to comply with the Sedfa funding requirements.
Outcome Details:
In a pivotal moment for the business, Bawana Chemicals received over R197,500 in funding through the Sedfa Asset Assist Programme which enabled the following activities:
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Procurement of essential equipment and machinery for production
-
Acquisition of raw materials to scale up manufacturing
-
Procurement of a repurposed steel container working space, providing a secure and functional base of operations
Since receiving the funding, Bawana Chemicals has:
- Increased its production output
- Created local employment opportunities (4 new jobs)
- Strengthened its supply chain with township-based vendors
- Positioned itself for future expansion into retail and bulk distribution
-
Procurement of essential equipment and machinery for production
-
Acquisition of raw materials to scale up manufacturing
-
Procurement of a repurposed steel container working space, providing a secure and functional base of operations
Since receiving the funding, Bawana Chemicals has:
- Increased its production output
- Created local employment opportunities (4 new jobs)
- Strengthened its supply chain with township-based vendors
- Positioned itself for future expansion into retail and bulk distribution
Client Feedback
Client Comments:
“The Sedfa funding was a game-changer. It gave us the tools to turn our vision into a working business.”
Sihle Sibusiso Bawana (Chairman) – Bawana Chemicals Pty Ltd
Sihle Sibusiso Bawana (Chairman) – Bawana Chemicals Pty Ltd
