East Coast Board (Pty) LTd | KZN Future 50
East Coast Board: A Local Leader in Board Manufacturing
Company name: East Coast Board (Pty) LTd
Website: https://eastcoastboard.co.za/
Email: [email protected]
East Coast Board, a prominent board manufacturing business in KwaZulu-Natal, is managed by Salona Lutchman Sewgoolam and Sandheer Sewgoolam. Founded in 1997 by Ramesh Lutchman, the business started with modest resources but has since grown significantly under the stewardship of the second generation.
Ramesh Lutchman established the business to create a better future for his family. Salona joined the business in 2009 after completing her BSc Engineering degree and gaining corporate experience. In 2013, her husband Sandheer, also an engineer, left his corporate career to contribute to the family business.
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East Coast Board manufactures a wide range of boards used for various purposes, including table-tops, doors, shop fittings, and even coffins. The business has expanded from a 200sqm factory with 15 staff to approximately 10,000sqm across three sites in Westmead, Phoenix, and Jacobs, employing 80 staff members, with a majority of senior staff being women.
The business has addressed the challenge of finding adequately trained staff by providing on-the-job training, enabling employees to advance from entry-level positions to managerial roles. This commitment to employee development is evident in the success stories of various staff members.
East Coast Board recently began producing its own melamine boards at an automated plant in Phoenix Industrial Park, making them the only melamine manufacturers in KZN. The new plant features advanced, computer-driven machinery, and over 60% of the machine operators are women.
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East Coast Board also manufactures foil boards using a fully automatic line, offering unique colour options for the furniture and coffin industries. Their customer base includes shop-fitters, construction companies, furniture manufacturers, and retail segments, catering to both large and small orders.
Looking to the future, East Coast Board aims to expand its product offerings and market reach. The company plans to grow its melamine and foil board market share locally and internationally. They also hope to welcome more team members and empower them through skills training, contributing to the KZN economy and supporting the vision of Ethekwini Municipality to be Africa's most caring and liveable city by 2030.
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East Coast Board has already made significant contributions to major developments in KZN and South Africa. Their products have been used in projects such as Zimbali, the Pearls in Umhlanga, the Oceans in Umhlanga, the new courthouses in KwaMashu and Durban, various shopping centres, and many residential homes. They are the only board merchant in KZN that upgrades both foil papers and melamine in-house.
East Coast Board’s dedication to quality manufacturing and community impact continues to make it a significant player in the industry. Their journey from a small start-up to a leading local business highlights the potential for growth and innovation in our community.
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