Cape Town’s steady growth and commitment to business development have paved the way for the construction of the largest clothing and textile distribution centre in the Western Cape. Alderman James Vos, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, visited the development site this week.
The distribution centre is strategically located in King Air Industria, an industrial park near Cape Town International Airport, symbolizing Cape Town’s position as a thriving business hub in Africa. It is a collaborative effort between King Air Industria and Truworths, with King Air Industria being a joint venture between Atterbury Property and Old Mutual Property.
The facility, set to be completed by November 2023, will encompass a massive 50,000m² warehouse and a 3,000m² office space, totaling a staggering 53,000m², equivalent to over five rugby fields. The construction involved a substantial 750 tons of steel, a weight comparable to 125 African elephants.
Gerrit van den Berg, Head of Western Cape Developments at Atterbury Property, expressed gratitude for the City’s support in turning the dream of this iconic warehouse into a reality. He highlighted the vital role played by the City of Cape Town and Alderman Vos’s team in boosting the local economy, especially around the airport and its environs.
Alderman Vos emphasized Cape Town’s historical connection to the clothing and textile industry, making it the perfect location for this expansive distribution centre. In 2023, retailers are expected to source a whopping 368 million garments from the South African industry, sustaining over 60,000 formal manufacturing jobs, primarily held by women.
Through the City’s partnership with the Cape Clothing and Textile Cluster, they are actively involved in strategic upgrading initiatives across the value chain, from retail to SMMEs. One notable project, the Business Accelerator Programme, has already led to the signing of multi-million-rand contracts for small clothing and textile businesses in Cape Town.
This development not only marks a significant milestone for Cape Town but also underlines the city’s commitment to fostering economic growth and innovation.
