KAS Africa launches a women empowerment programme

August is national Women’s Month. To commemorate Women’s Day on 9August, KAS Africa – a Midrand-based contract manufacturing company – is launching a women empowerment programme for SMMEs.

Vinny Perumal, CEO of KAS Africa, says the company will use this programme to seek out and support local women-owned businesses within the personal care and natural home care sectors.

“We work with a range of partners to support the early-stage development of female-owned SMMEs, helping them either to enter the market or grow their businesses using our contract manufacturing services,” she comments. “We believe it is essential to support women-owned, operated and controlled businesses to help drive inclusive growth, expand the economy and ensure that products and services in the market meet diverse needs.”

KAS Africa’s programme helps businesses to:

• access world-class cosmetics testing laboratory services and product formula development capabilities
• buy and deploy from a formula library
• scale up their current manufacturing capacity using a GMP certified third-party contract manufacturer
• develop new SKUs in the natural-based hair care, skin care and home care segments
• access distribution networks in South Africa and the SADC region
• gain advice in developing a business plan with pricing and a go-to-market strategy
• access training to understand the retail sector and manging trading terms and promotional aspects
• receive a ‘business in a box’ starter kit with PR guidance and access to business platforms such as e-commerce capabilities.

A dynamic, award-winning manufacturer

KAS Africa is a leading contract manufacturer of personal, home, baby and oral care FMCG products. The company was recently selected as one of South Africa’s Top Gender Empowered Companies in the Standard Bank Top Women Leaders Awards.

As a majority black woman-owned business, KAS Africa believes domestic investment and confidence can transform Africa into an economic superpower. Over the years, the company has built one of the continent’s foremost manufacturing plants in terms of size, volume, product variety and capability standards. It has also earned a reputation for delivering quality, flexible, local manufacturing capabilities that meet the most rigorous international standards.

The company has a dynamic and passionate team of employees who have a strong sense of pride in everything they do. KAS Africa’s management team is made up of mostly female leaders, who many years of relevant industry experience. These women are instrumental in driving the goals of the business and contributing towards its working strategy.

Driven to make a difference

We asked Vinny what advice she would give to other women in manufacturing.

She says: “It’s a tough industry, so we need to work together and to support each other in making a real difference to create value and jobs. You will have really tough days, but you need to push through all the noise and focus on your purpose and goal. Even when it seems impossible, you will succeed. Believe and trust in yourself!”