Manufacturing Momentum: Rocky Brands Expansion Fuels Jobs and Industrial Growth

Show Voice Options South Africa's manufacturing sector is gaining renewed strength as Rocky Brands accelerates its expansion, positioning itself as a key contributor to job creation and industrial development, with the Midrand-based company-founded by entrepreneur Rishav Juglall-now employing at least 48 workers while continuing to scale production of locally manufactured cleaning products supplied to major retailers nationwide, a growth trajectory supported by strategic investment including over R15 million in funding from the Industrial Development Corporation, which enabled the acquisition of advanced machinery, increased automation, and improved operational efficiency, ultimately reducing costs while enhancing productivity and worker conditions; the expansion has also prioritised skills development, with employees trained to operate modern equipment, reinforcing a more competitive and technologically capable workforce, while the company's shift toward producing roughly 90% of its products in-house highlights a broader move toward localisation and reduced reliance on imports, strengthening domestic supply chains and boosting industrial resilience, as government and industry leaders point to such investments as critical drivers of inclusive economic growth, demonstrating how small-to-medium enterprises in manufacturing can stimulate employment, foster innovation, and contribute meaningfully to South Africa's long-term industrialisation agenda.