Patrick Moonga is a simple looking yet highly innovative Zambian Entrepreneur who sprang out of Kitwe in the mid-90s. Moonga started out in the Timber business before the Construction boom that saw a massive increase in the regulation of Timber production and retail. He along with 4 other unskilled individuals operated their workstation with a ripsaw as their key piece of equipment near Ichimpe wh
ich today is a Tree plantation ran by ZAFICO. By 1998 the government through ZAFICO directed all millers away from plantations in a bid to seize absolute control over raw wood supply. The nearest piece of Land that Mr. Moonga was able to obtain was 1km out of Kalulushi. The stringent measures introduced by ZAFICO affected not only the pricing of the Timber but also controlled the amount of raw wood that one miller could access. It was during this dramatic change in the Business climate that Mr. Moonga developed an interest in Metal Fabrication which would later on become the second half of his growing enterprise! Moonga came across was brought into Zambia in the mid-eighties by the Finish Government which was undertaking a Timber project in the Country. Using sheer intuition, creativity and innovation, Mr. Moonga made a copy of the finish machine with the intention of being able to produce with his innovation the same or similar quality of Timber as he saw come out of the Foreigners machine. Moonga has formed a partnership with carpenters that are currently operating on his premises so that clients who wish to purchase a door frame from him can also have the door made with the carpenters on site, making this facility a one stop shop. Other products include Window frames, Burglar bars, Beds and fabricated Gates. Moonga’s unique skill set allow him to run a customer-driven business; what you ask for is what you get! Burglar Bars
Mr. Moonga’s business boasts of having accumulated one large Truck and trailer as well as two open vans which make the doorstep delivery an option for would-be customers; giving him the competitive edge over his rivals. This organisation is run as a sole trading business. Moonga’s vision is to improve his processing capabilities so as to match international standards while applying local innovation. Moonga’s target market is the high and middle income earners and seeks to meet their need for high quality products at competitive prices. Future plans include:
- To export timber for better prices on the international market
- To purchase a Kiln in order to dry timber to the internationally accepted moisture content
- To open up an alternative sale point which is in a more frequented area
- To construct a modern workshop that will incorporate metal fabrication and Carpentry
- To build a new office complex for improved business image and customer accessibility.
- To build a wall fence to enhance security
- To install a Sawmill with a thinner blade in order to increase operational efficiency
