The Value of Local Manufacturing
The true value of keeping local LEKKER
Bringing it home.
We built this company from the ground up, meticulously carving out our space in the industry. For over forty five years we have been right beside you, brick for brick.
We have seen Presidents, Pandemics and politics try to get South Africa down and we have watched (proudly) as this country has fought back, stepped up and reinvented itself time and again.
Over the years we have also seen all manner of home improvement trends arrive on South African shores. We have experienced some truly innovative imports upending the local markets and for the most part we had to accept this. It meant that our loyal homemakers could now choose from a deeper bench of service providers and customise their homes to their heart’s content. Imports used to mean more variety and more options. However – things are trending in another direction, and we simply can’t hide our excitement anymore.
Mzansi is making local lekker again.
For the past few years there has been an undeniable shift towards local manufacturing. We are not just talking about the basics like building materials, or the very high end of bespoke art. We are talking about the most unique, functional and innovative products. From hand cast stone tiles to fiery fun like woodfire hot tubs and all manner of braais and ovens, to textiles, tools and solutions for problems you don’t even know you have yet…
This year, even more so than before, the convention floor was full of young, passionate local entrepreneurs who not only run their own businesses but also man their own exhibitions. These makers engaged with their clients on the ground, and brought their own magic to the world of Homemaking.
Manufacturing hopes and dreams.
The reason we are so excited about this shift towards local manufacturing is because of the undeniable impact it will have on the South African economy. It’s common knowledge that a country with a strong local manufacturing industry is set up for sustained economic growth. For a while now we have been stuck in the rut of generating and exporting raw resources, without adding value, and then importing finished products at a premium. Not only did South African customers feel the burns of this at the checkout, but very few real jobs are created or real skills developed by the mere process of unloading shipping containers.
Take Note: According to a 2024 analysis by PwC, the local manufacturing sector contributes upwards of 13% to the GDP of South Africa.
Survival of the most adaptable.
According to the PwC study, one of the major benefits helping South Africa sustain its local manufacturing sector is the high level of resilience and agility that South African companies inherently have If you are a company making headway in the South African economy it is obvious that you can deal with your fair share of curve balls. Growing in SA means growing for real!
Why this matters…
Local manufacturing can be an answer to so many of our country’s socio-economic issues. Job creation, vocational training, youth upliftment, and even re-schooling of workers from other industries will all benefit from a strong local manufacturing sector.
We have always been a proudly south African company, but our focus has also been on providing our end users with access to the right expertise and products to make their homemaking dreams come true. In this past this has meant that we have had to look at the international markets. Now, we are excited to say that the local market hasn’t just caught up, but is surpassing imported competitors in price, product, customer service and offerings.
Watch this space.
Over the next couple of months, we will be showcasing some of our favourite local manufacturers and service providers, telling you more about who they are, where they come from and what being a South African means to them.
This series of company profiles will be a great way to keep tabs on who is making waves in the homemaking world and who to keep your eye on at the 2026 Homemakers Fair.
