US based International Green Structures also known as IGS has their strategy set on becoming the global leader in sustainable and affordable housing, schools and healthcare clinics in the emerging markets.
IGS Manufacturing Kenya (IGSM-Kenya) received its first CAF (Compressed Agricultural Fiber) machine, which was recently built and shipped from Ft Worth, Texas. The US based team, arrived just after the machine and will assemble and commission the CAF Machine over the next 30 days and IGSM-Kenya expects to be producing locally by the end of February 2016.
The 60,000 square foot (5,600 square meter) facility required an investment of 670 million KES ($6.6 million), which was led by IGS’s US based holding company, attracted investors from both Europe and Kenya.
The CAF Machine will produce enough panel to construct approximately 4,000 – 50 m² IGStructures annually. IGS will train and certify, in association with the National Construction Authority (NCA) of Kenya local developers, builders and contractors to execute projects faster or quicker and more cost-effectively.
IGS Manufacturing facilities are designed to incorporate four (4) production lines with each production line requiring 6,000 hectares of rice or wheat straw as the demand increases. IGS has already executed contracts with farmers in Narok and Nakuru to furnish the first year’s production commitment.
Starting this month, the farmers will be paid to bale, store and transport the straw, which is currently burned or tilled back into the earth. Each IGS production line has the capability of creating approximately 1,700 local jobs across the agricultural, transportation, manufacturing and construction industries. IGS has phase one orders with private customers totaling 1,200 IGStructures, ranging in size from 46 to 92 square meters and is working with other builders to support government tenders.
“This is a major step towards realizing our 10 x 2020 plan, which is 10 – IGS Manufacturing facilities by the end of 2020 and our vision of becoming the Global Leader of Sustainable Housing Solutions.” said Richard China, Chief Executive of the firm.
The Kenyan facility will be IGS’ second and by completing the Manufacturing Facility in Kenya,it plans to gain further success in the African markets.
The firm has already gained approval for the technology through the Kenya Bureau of Standards and has been listed as an Alternative Building Material Technologies (ABMT) recognized by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. IGS is looking to provide products and solutions which provide low cost, quality housing in Kenya and East Africa and offers 31 floor plans ranging from 12 to 101 square meters, as well as medical clinics and school houses.
