21st Century Holdings Ltd (TCHL), a 100% export oriented unit, is a typical example of how METL has tried to maximise the export earnings of locally produced sisal fibres through manufacture and export of value added products.

The company originally produced agricultural twines, and was acquired by METL in 2001. At that time, the agricultural twines market was dominated by South American countries growing cheap low quality sisal fibre and as a consequence it was very difficult to generate profit from yarn exports from Tanzania. METL was already a large producer of sisal fibre by then, and based on an analysis of the market dynamics, decided to re-position itself to produce higher value fine yarns for floor coverings, specialty ropes and polishing cloths. The existing machines were modified and new ones added to produce these higher quality fine yarns. Currently installation of a state-of-the-art dyeing plant is underway, which will help the company increase its competitive positioning and share of sisal carpet yarn market.

TCHL has a capacity to produce 3,000 mtons of fine yarns per year and its markets includes Japan, south Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, India, Belgium, Italy, Denmark and the Yemen.

TCHL’s strategy is to position itself as the best quality producer of sisal fine yarns in the international market, and to later expand its product base to polishing cloths and sisal carpets.