Cape Town is set to welcome a new, expansive clothing and textile distribution centre in King Air Industria, an industrial park located near the city’s international airport. This project is a partnership between Truworths International Limited and King Air Industria, which is a collaboration between Atterbury Property and Old Mutual Property. The upcoming facility is expected to be the largest of its kind in the Western Cape.
Facility Details
The new distribution centre will cover a whopping 53,000 square meters, equivalent to five-and-a-half rugby fields. The facility will feature a 50,000 square meter warehouse and a 3,000 square meter office. The construction process involved 750 tons of steel, equivalent to the weight of 125 African elephants. The project is expected to be completed by November 2023.
City Officials Express Gratitude for Development
Gerrit van den Berg, Head of Western Cape Developments at Atterbury Property, expressed his gratitude for the city’s support of the project. He highlighted that the development would not have been possible without the assistance of city officials. The partnership between Truworths International Limited and King Air Industria is a testament to Cape Town’s attractiveness to businesses and their commitment to contributing to its robust economy.
Alderman James Vos, the Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, shared his enthusiasm for the project. He described it as a symbol of Cape Town’s ongoing development boom and emphasized that Cape Town continues to thrive as a business hub due to its mission of becoming the easiest place in Africa to do business.
Cape Town’s Attractiveness in the Clothing and Textile Industry
Alderman Vos noted that Cape Town is the historic center of the clothing and textile industry, making it the ideal location for the new distribution center. In 2023, retailers are forecasted to source 368 million garments from the South African industry, sustaining over 60,000 formal manufacturing jobs, most of which are held by women.
As part of its commitment to the sector, the City is investing in the Cape Clothing and Textile Cluster. This partnership drives strategic upgrading initiatives across the value chain, from retail to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Business Accelerator Programme is one notable project that helps small clothing and textile businesses in Cape Town become suppliers to large retailers. This initiative has already led to the signing of new contracts worth millions of rands in the past year.
Poised for Economic Growth and Job Creation
The new distribution centre is set to enhance Cape Town’s standing as a significant player in the clothing and textile industry. With the backing of the City and its various partners, the facility will undoubtedly contribute to the region’s economic growth and job creation. This development serves as an example of the rewards reaped from collaboration and strategic investment in vital industries, ultimately benefiting the city, its businesses, and its residents.
