Manufacturing Sector: High value added products

The manufacturing sector is the largest sector in the Mauritian economy. It is in the 1970’s with the set up of the Export Processing Zone (now EOE – Export Oriented Enterprise) that the sector knew a major boom. High growth rates were recorded and the textile revenues contributed to the socioeconomic progress of the country. The textile and clothing sector contributed to the emancipation of women in the island with a female workforce of 60% in the EPZ. In year 2008, the sector contributed 20.1% to GDP. Local manufacturers are supplying major brand names such as Topshop, Levi’s, Le Chateau, Foschinis, Burton UK, Guess, Naf Naf, Puma, Calvin Klein, Woolworths, Abercrombie & Fitch, Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria’s Secret, Zara, Mango, Harrods, Banana Republic, Express, S.Oliver, Esprit, Jasper Conrad, La Redoute, 3 Suisses, and L.L. Bean.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"12725","attributes":{"class":"media-image wp-image-20960 alignleft","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"232","height":"251","alt":"Harold-Mayer"}}]]Harold Mayer: “We need to re-invent ourselves”

Harold Mayer, CEO of CIEL Textile, explains that a positive evolution has taken place in the manufacturing industry since Independence. “The Independence of Mauritius is above all a pride for all Mauritians and manufacturers. In the 1970s, Floreal Knitwear was among the first to start in the textile industry in Mauritius. Few thought it would be economically viable to import raw materials from Asia, manufacture quality products here in Mauritius and sell those products in markets for the most part located 10,000 km away! But we did it anyway thanks to a pioneer attitude shared with the government and our employees. Today, we produce more than 5 million sweaters every year distributed throughout the world but it requires constant effort to maintain our competitiveness,” he says. Harold Mayer trusts that the main strength of CIEL Textile today is the solid international reputation they enjoy for their ‘know-how’ in producing and delivering high end garments within respected deadlines. “The acquired automation systems further contribute to our strength to meet the clients expectations. Yet, the international market conditions and aggressive competition are a permanent threat. Indeed, the markets conditions, especially in Europe and in South Africa, remain challenging with the weakening of some major export currencies like the Euro and Rand. Global market conditions are even more difficult in the knitwear operations which is registering a drop in global sales volumes. Finally, our operational costs compared to international competitors in China or India are much higher which is always a challenge, the textile industry being a low margin business.” How will be the future of the manufacturing sector? “The textile industry is constantly changing with fast fashion and customers’ requirements evolving by the day. We need to be flexible, adaptable and re-invent ourselves continuously to meet market demand and sustain economic growth,” utters Harold Mayer.