Another Bulawayo textile firm in trouble

Textile firm Merlin’s judicial manager is still hopeful an investor to rescue the company will be found before the company’s June 30 liquidation deadline.

Merlin, one of Zimbabwe’s oldest textile firms, was placed under provisional administration in 2011, mirroring the broader malaise afflicting the country’s manufacturing sector.

Merlin judicial manager Cecil Madondo, who told creditors in January that the company would be liquidated if it did not find new investors to raise working capital and resume operations by June 30, said he is in talks with some unnamed potential investors.

“We are engaged with a couple of creditable investors. All stakeholders will be advised of any developments regarding the company at the appropriate time in the meantime we will continue to source for funding for the company,” Madondo said.

“We remain determined to find the capital injection required for Merlin and avoid liquidation. Merlin is a strategic project on national importance because being a manufacturing company it provides the link needed between agriculture and manufacturing, plus the potential to earn foreign currency from exportation of its products.”

Merlin, established in 1954 and owned by Delma Lupepe, requires $30 million fresh capital spread over a period of five to 10 years to come back to life.

Lupepe took over Merlin in 2004 through his investment vehicle, Maydeep Investments (Private) Limited, after the troubled textiles giant was discharged from judicial management.

A report presented by Madondo at the January creditors’ meeting showed that Merlin required $2.1 million in the short-term to purchase raw materials and to refurbish plant and machinery to start production.

A further $4.5 million would be needed for major repairs and maintenance to bring the company back to near full capacity.

The report said the company would require $23.4 million for a new plant, while $6.3 million would also be required to discharge the company’s liabilities.

Merlin’s total assets currently stand at $2.2 million down from $3.8 million when the company was placed under judicial management in 2011.

Its current liabilities are at $6.2 million, up from $4.3 million in 2013.- The Source

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