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Business established

Mbeya Knitwear Company Ltd

Mbeya Knitting Company Ltd.

The company has been knitting cardiganis, pullovers, slipovers and scalfs since the begining of this year. Its initial success and the large size of its market have encouraged it to double its capacity. It therefore plans to buy three more knitting machines and their accesories in order to satisfy a larger part of market demand.

Facts

Legal status business
Formally registered
Year of establishment

2007

Sales (US$)
Two years ago:
Last year:
This year (forecast): 23,000
Year 2 (forecast): 49,000
Year 3 (forecast): 70,000
Net profit after tax (US$)
Two years ago:
Last year:
This year (forecast): 4,200
Year 2 (forecast): 15,000
Year 3 (forecast): 25,000
Total number of Employees
Two years ago:
Last year:
This year (forecast): 12
Year 2 (forecast): 15
Year 3 (forecast): 15

Finance needed

Finance needed for fixed assets (buying of machines, buildings, ...) 20,000
Finance needed for working capital (salaries, stock, rental, leasing, transport, ...) 30,000
Total finance needed (US$) 50,000

How do you expect this to be financed? Please note: the total amount mentioned here should be equal to the total finance needed at the previous question.

Own Contribution in cash 4,000
Loans (debt) 26,000
Share capital that you seek from investors (equity) 20,000
Other sources 0
Total finance needed (US$) 50,000

The Business

What is your product/service?

Cardigans, Pullovers, Slipovers, vests, scarfs.

What customer need/problem do your products/services satisfy?

The need for people to keep warm during the cold season.

How will you make the product/service?

I will make the product by knitting using imported polyacryl yarns of defferent colours.

Explain how you will sell your product/service (marketing strategy) and how you will reach your customers (distribution strategy)?

I will reach my target market by personal representation, delivery of samples and collecting orders.

To whom are you selling, what is your market?

To schools and armed forces.

Describe your competitors?

There is no significant procedure of sweaters in Tanzania. There are ony cottage knitters who use desk top hand operated knitting machines of very limited capacity and whose products are of doubtful quality; they are not organized and do not constitute a real threat to my business.

What makes your business different/better than your competitors (competitive advantage)?

My product is distinctive and is heavy enough to meet the need for which it is made and is durable, unlike some of the imported stuff and the hand made garments; further my products are made to order, with proper size and colour specifications, unlike the mass-produced knitwear made by small knitters.

What makes your business, your product or service innovative?

The finishing is better than the products of my competitors in that there is a lining on every seam.

How will you ensure the growth of your business?

I will ensure the growth of my business by proper and timely maintenance of machines and by good finance management.

The Entrepreneur & Management

Describe the entrepreneur & management

One of the two directors of Mbeya Knittwear Ltd has tertiary education and was trained in Sweden and in the United States in the field of knitting. The other partner has a University degree in Business Administration.

Our experience in entepreneurship is more than ten years long; in knitting it is one year of considerable success.

What specifically makes you and (if relevant) your management team most qualified to build this business?

We are the owners of the business, we are not mere employees, and therefore we have the necessary commitment to make it a success.

How much time do/will you expect to spend per week in the business?

I will spend eighty percent (80%) of our working time.

Development

How does your business improve the local living standards (social and environmental)?

Socially by satisfying the need for people to keep warm. Our product is made of synthetic material and therefore does not demand much from the envirnment.