The journey for most South African Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is fraught with challenges, with a staggering 75% failure rate* â one of the highest in the world. Even the most promising ventures struggle to survive beyond their first five years. Â Kyle Ballard, Head of Accelerators for the KwaZulu-Natal Clothing & Textile Cluster (KZNCTC) believes that while issues like cash flow and compliance are significant contributors, one of the toughest hurdles is landing those coveted ‘big customersâ. âMany SMEs find themselves struggling to even get a foot in the door,â he says.
In response, the KZNCTC is rolling out a support programme, âKZNCTC Origin8: From Start-up to Scale-upâ, designed to help South African-owned SMEs understand their customersâ needs and give them a better chance of demonstrating their potential. Ballard explains, “This programme was born from a desire to give every SME in the clothing, textile, footwear, and leather sector â from fabric suppliers and garment manufacturers to pattern services and textile recycling companies â a better chance of showcasing the value they can add to new and existing customers. Because if they win, our nation wins. After all, SMEs play a crucial role in addressing unemployment, driving economic growth, and ensuring fair income distribution.â
To kick off the programme, the KZNCTC is hosting a complimentary workshop that presents SMEs with a remarkable opportunity. They not only have the chance to engage face-to-face with major national customers but will also gain first-hand insights into what they are looking for from suppliers, enabling SMEs to align their value proposition accordingly. âThis truly is an exciting opportunity not to be missed,â Ballard says.
Scheduled for Tuesday, 21 May 2024, from 09h00 to 13h00, at the prestigious Toyota Wessels Institute for Manufacturing Studies (TWIMS) in Kloof, KwaZulu-Natal, Ballard says that attendees can expect the following:
- Hear directly from industry giants in an interactive Q&A session
- Discover how to align your value proposition with customer needs
- Engage directly with new/potential customers and other industry stakeholders
So, if you are a South African-owned SME currently operating or aspiring to venture into supplying customers in the clothing, textile, footwear, and leather sector, register for this free workshop before 15 May 2024 at . For further enquiries, please email kznctc@bmanalysts.com. Spaces are limited, and preference will be given to businesses based in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly in the eThekwini region.
