A to Z Textile Mills Limited manufactures and exports insecticide-treated polyester bed nets in Africa. It offers mosquito nets, which are sold through the WHO, UNICEF, and the U.N. high commissioner for refugees and local non-governmental organizations. A to Z Textile Mills of Tanzania (A to Z) became the sole African producer of long-lasting insecticide bed nets (LLINs) in Africa in 2003.

The company was established by the Shah family in 1966 in Arusha, Tanzania as a small garment manufacturer. In 1978, the company started manufacturing polyester bednets. Bednets now constitute a large percentage of production, taking place in fully integrated plants with spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing, finishing, cutting and making departments. The company produces six million LLINs annually for distribution in Tanzania and other African countries. A to Z is one of the lowest-cost manufacturers in Africa (on par with Asian firms), due to an intense focus on innovation and productivity. A to Z has a workforce of about 3,400, the majority being low-skilled employees involved in stitching jobs. Women constitute about 90 percent of the A to Z workforce. 

 The business culture at A to Z invites innovation, with commitment to attracting and retaining capable employees; treatment of employees with dignity and respect; encouragement for creativity and innovation in every aspect of the work; provision of growth opportunities to all within the organization; provision of a healthy, safe and enjoyable work environment; and establishment of progressive and long-standing relationship with suppliers. 

 

Vision

To be a leader in our business by delivering quality products and services through continuous innovation and excellence, without compromising our core values of trust, integrity, passion and excellence.   We will achieve this through our committed and capable team, always stretching our perceived limits.

 

Products

• Mosquito nets are the number one product for A to Z, constituting 80% of total production
• A to Z produces a wide range of other items, which include round-neck T-shirts and polo shirts in a vast variety of colours, and a wide range of plastic household items and bottles
• Commitment to dealing with suppliers and business partners in a fair and equitable manner
• Establish progressive and long-standing relationships with suppliers

 

A to Z Textiles sells a large percentage of its LLINs to NGOs and development agencies such as UNICEF, The Global Fund, Population Service International (PSI), and USAID’s President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). It also sells bed nets to the local market on a commercial basis, both through filling pre-orders and by active marketing. In recent years, A to Z has been expanding capacity and extending its product line. The company now produces bed nets in a variety of colors and sizes. It also produces olyset door covers and curtains. These may prove to be a cheaper alternative to bed nets for poor people due to their multi-purpose functions.