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Ramji Haribhai Devani Limited (otherwise referred to and popularly known as R. H. DEVANI LTD) delivers a complete range of products covering substantial consumer lines of both the domestic and industrial needs. The Company also provides an all essential creative and original recycling concept involving the utilization of waste plastic and polythene in the production of plastic posts/poles and planks – this output is a perfect replacement of wood. The Company. The Company was founded in 1935 but was registered in incorporated in 1965 under Kenya Company Laws Act by the Devani family and has since been involved in the production of high quality – low cost homecare and hygiene products for the East African Industrial and domestic market. The Company has registered a first in a number of product lines within the country since its inception: a) It was the first Company in Kenya to start the manufacture of Wax Candles. This was started in 1956 and it was not till the year 1968 when other companies moved into the manufactured of this product. b) It was the first Company to start the manufacturing of Floor Polish way back in 1959 and the “Lordex” water proofing compound in 1960. Before moving into this production, all local based consumption of these products was through importation especially from the United Kingdom (U.K.). c) It was the first Company to start the production of neon an Perspex advertising products through a sister company that was then fully owned by RH Devani – Pelican Signs. d) It was the first Company in Kenya to start the manufacture of wood preservative in 1966. e) And as recently as 1998 it was the first Company to start Commercial Recycling of plastic and polythene wastes as well as the first company to start commercial farming of mushrooms in go down environment in Kenya.
Business Model To be able to address the varied needs and motivations of the various consumers, the Company has had to develop a very diverse product portfolio as well as redefining the service lines that will enable the consumer get the produced good/product. The table below shows all the business processes that are covered by the extensive product offering from Ramji Haribhai Devani Limited: | BUSINESS LINE | DELIVERABLES | | Homecare & Hygiene | This is the earliest division which was developed to take opportunity of the world during the colonial period. It has developed a number of household brands. The business line takes care of homes through the provision of Lords Floor Polish, Red Cat, Cleanox Disinfectant, Freshic, scouring powder, toilet digester. | | Cosmetics | Commencement of the production of these range of products started way back in the early 60s under the brand name of LORDS. This used to cater for the growing population (children) and especially immediately after independence and before the multinational corporations flocked in. | | Food Production | To cater for the total person, RHD has invested in the production of mushrooms under the green house practice. | | Packaging | This is the division that takes care of some of those products that are not internally produced but have great demand. These are then sourced used the normal economies of scale purchase concept and then packaged for sale under a own brand name. | | Engineering | Ensures that all the equipment and machinery for the production process are running properly. It is principally charged with the overall responsibility of sourcing maintenance tools and repairs and maintenance of all the equipment that are installed and operating in the premises. | | Plastic recycling | Makes use of waste plastic/polythene to produce high quality and wood substitute by-products. | | Healthcare | Responsible for the production of health care products mostly in dental care, skin care etc. | | Mining and Chemicals | Principally takes care of inputs into the manufacturing, agricultural and the building industry. | | General Trading | Addresses opportunities that are create by the emerging market needs. It is the division that seeks to satisfy market processes and needs like institutional tenders’ management and operations. It does not exclusively deal with only products manufactured by RH Devani limited but also access the global market from whence it is able to get the most competitive offers. |
The Market: Today RH Devani Limited mainly operates within the East African Region with a well designed and nurtured sales network with the large retail and wholesale organizations and institutions. Outer field, RH Devani Limited is currently working on penetrating the COMESA region with its products. The Market opportunities for its business production lines are available and the challenge is effectively planning for the penetration of these segmented sales an consumer territories. Organization Structure: Key focus areas of the management team are planning and strategizing all round activities to meet operational goals, and implementing robust WIP and delivery management programs to ensure linearity, high turn ratio and manning ratio. Besides establishing a production control system for resolving daily production issues, the team is required to liaise closely with other departments in inline process control, service delivery and output improvement activities. The team manages the capacity, capital, Operations: As outlined in the business models above (page1), our operations involve Manufacturing of various goods (food and non-food based), Process/Equipment engineering services, Research & Development, Packaging and general trading. All these operational lines have been well staffed to undertake the responsibilities, production capacities and sales programmes that are able to meet the company’s projected goals and expectations other factors limitations notwithstanding. |
