Siance Manufacturing – The CNC Machining Specialists

Siance Manufacturing is among the pioneer companies in Kenya that specializes in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining with a bias to architecture and interior design.

CNC machining has wide applications in the construction sector in Kenya and tools that can be used in this manner include lathes, mills, routers, plasma and grinders, being used to cut both metals and plastics and other complex machinery. It involves the use of computer software to control machines that produce complex three-dimensional and two-dimensional shapes to precision.

In 2011, Hellen Orwa and Jafar Mohamed partnered to start the CNC manufacturing plant which has grown tremendously over the last six years. They built their own machines locally and only import the consumables like plasma cutter and compressor.

Under CNC Machining, machine tools function through numerical control. A computer program is customized for an object and the machines are programmed with CNC machining language (called G-code) that essentially controls all features like feed rate, coordination, location and speeds. With CNC machining, the computer can control exact positioning and velocity.

According to Hellen, their product is very unique compared to other contemporary art. “Our products allow for creative expression as clients choose their own design, colour, texture, and dimensions to be cut. It is therefore hard to find a client with an exact design as another,” she says.

They work with a wide range of material like Celluka, MDF, mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium and all conductive metals. They can cut from 1mm to 12mm of thickness depending on client’s preferences.

The CNC machine-cut artworks from Siance have a range of applications. “Our product is not just interior; it can also be used for exterior. You can use it inside a house to do a screen, wallpaper, a partition, or a headboad.

For exterior, they can be used for ceilings, balconies or as a decorative façade,” Hellen explains. The metal cuttings are powder coated to prevent rust, add colour dependent on the clients’ preferences and ensure they last for a long time. This is dependent on the metals’ corrosive nature since some like aluminium and stainless steel do not need prevention from weathering.

Hellen offers that despite the uniqueness and beauty of the product, the Kenyan market does not truly understand it and are therefore not willing to invest in it. “Our clients are mainly people who have a prior knowledge of the product and understand its beauty and appeal. There is a good demand among these kinds of people. Convincing those who are hearing about it for the first time is our main challenge,” she says.

The company’s target market is from the housewife to the architects in big construction projects. They have done the interior décor for major clients like the Privee club, Donuts world both in Westlands, S-Lounge in Embakasi which is part of Seasons Hotel, Kavia metal, MoSound Events, Engage BM, Engineering Supplies and many others.

They have just finished working on the entire fencing of Diamond Plaza 2 in Highridge. “There is so much potential with our machines apart from just the decorative stuff. You can do so much with it depending on the material you choose and your imagination,” she says.

In the near future, they are considering building more machines for sale. “This will save machining industries a lot of money compared to importing. However, our biggest dream as Siance is to make a robot. We have made the machines, so why not a robot?” she concludes.