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VREDE Textiles was one of the first factories to be buil t in Atlantis Industria, Cape Town, South Africa.
Today, over 30 years later, this family-run business has a staff compliment of 120, producing millions of strip metres for vertical as well as roller blind fabric annually and can boast an approximate 65% share of the South African market.
Initially, only a spinning mill existed and we manufactured orange pockets. However, our niche market was established when Barry Lipschitz, our company CEO, redesigned the unique spinning machine and began producing the yarn which we manufacture today.
Components for these machines are manufactured by local engineering companies and assembled in Atlantis. This technology produces yarn of a superior quality.
In 1995, Vrede Textiles established a state-of-the-art weaving mill and finishing plant so that the company became responsible for the complete process - manufacturing from raw fibers to rolls of fabric. In 2006, a dye house was added completing the entire production cycle.
The vertical and roller blind fabric has a unique handle and finish. Essentially, the major difference between our blind fabric and that produced by other companies is that, instead of having plastic-coated fabric, the plastic is "inside" Vrede's fabric and is therefore soft to the touch. A stiffener could however be applied on request.
The resulting high-tech product is washable and innately stable as the yarn is extruded. The fabric is therefore less likely to cup or twist. Unlike fabric containing fibre-glass, this fabric does not shred and is completely non-toxic. For this reason it favoured in the medical and technical environments.
The window-coverings market is competitive, with many different types of window treatments on offer. The advantage of blinds is that the cost of covering a square metre of window is less than curtains as no allowance needs to be made for drape. Vertical blinds let in the view and the light, but keep out the sun. They are good energy-savers.
The market for vertical and roller blinds has been increasing steadily over the past years. The company originally supplied fabric almost exclusively for use in offices, but now equally supplies the domestic market.
Our team at Vrede Textiles regularly visit international trade shows and exhibitions to keep up with international trends. We have also exhibited fabric at a number of international trade shows.
Our company has grown quite rapidly over the years as an exporter of our fabrics and is an established supplier to the United States, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Sue Lipschitz, wife of Barry, has been responsible for much of the international marketing.
Expansion to increase our production capacity, has already been completed, to consider the manufacture of alternative products. We have already begun producing fabrics for outdoor use such as awnings, umbrellas and furnishings.
The product and business operation has been computerised by David Lipschitz (Orbital Decisions), Barry and Sue's son. These systems include stock control, warehouse management and planning, etc. All the products are bar-coded in line with international preferences.
Barry and Sue Lipschitz attribute the success of their business to their loyal and committed staff, some of whom have been with the company since its inception over 30 year ago. Barry says, "Our most valuable asset is not our machinery, but the people who work here. The staff, at every, level contribute to the success of the business." Most of the managerial and shop floor staff lives in Atlantis.
Vrede Textiles is one example of a South African textile company which has managed to capture and establish a niche market and therefore ensure our continued success in an increasingly competitive industry.
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