Established over two decades ago, PG Industries Zimbabwe acquired Zimboard Products, the then sole manufacturer of chipboard in the country in 1986. In 1994, Zimboard commenced the manufacturing of hardboard. After a restructure exercise in 2007, the company name was changed to Manica Boards & Doors with Old Mutual as the main shareholder in partnership with Investors in Africa – Takura Ventures (Pvt) Ltd and PG Industries Zimbabwe.

The fibreboard production line has a rated capacity of producing 136 cubic metres per day. The manufacturing plant produces boards from the renewable resource, eucalyptus timber, which is grown in abundance and nurtured in the region’s forests. The timber is reduced to ligno-cellulose fibres, wet-felted and hot-pressed. The production process utilises latest techniques which capitalise on the natural bonding agents already present in the wood thereby eliminating the need for artificial bonding materials. No chemicals are used in the process, making Zimtex an environmentally safe and nontoxic material.

To guarantee continuity, the entity has embarked on a raw material strategy that emphasizes the securing and renewability of the timber resource by working with out- growers and major timber growers in Manicaland. The out-grower programme commenced in 1996 and to date, 4,752 ha of gum is planted.

The business also integrated forward with a Value Addition line that produces Zimtex Faced Doors, Zimtex Faced Blockboard and Zimtex Faced Chair Seats and Backs. The line has an installed capacity of producing 1000 doors, 300 blockboard and 1000 sets of chair seats and backs per day.