With over a century experience in the automotive and industrial power generation and distribution and more recently solar power products, Chloride Zimbabwe has continued to effectively contribute to the economy through its nationwide Exide Express retail arm.
Speaking to The Standard Style, the company’s general manager Kudzielister Pasipanodya, who is also in charge of operations in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, said they were proud to drive the national economy through their quality services and products.
“We are playing an important role in driving the economy not only on the solar side but even the automotive side of business where we command more than 70% of the market and you can imagine the consequences to the national economy if anything was to happen to us,” Pasipanodya said.
“We are fully committed to the national vision and I am proud that we supply the heavy duty industrial batteries that power the national power company so that it is able to start power generation.
“We are of national significance in terms of our industrial side supply of batteries and I am happy to say that beyond supplying batteries to leading local and international companies and our citizenry, we also supply batteries to the uniformed forces and other important government arms and departments in Zimbabwe.”
Pasipanodya said the company’s solar batteries and products have also had amazing impact, especially on the agricultural side.
“On the solar side we have done amazing work with tobacco farmers and people in the rural areas in terms of tobacco cure and we appreciate that we are playing our role on the economic side in the region and the whole of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“We remain an undisputed market leader in our industry and our quest is to continue reinventing in sync with obtaining trends in our sector so that we remain the pride of our clients and indeed our nation.”
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Of the company’s operations, Pasipanodya said there were many facets to Chloride Zimbabwe’s operations and they are delivering the best customer experience through their retail arm, Exide Express.
“Chloride Zimbabwe covers many facets; we are a manufacturing entity making solar and automotive as well as the industrial batteries which are the commercial batteries used in forklifts, mines and power stations. Our retail arm is Exide Express with 46 branches across the nation,” he said.
“At our industrial site in Harare, we have the furnace that makes the battery led and the automotive plant that makes the battery while the plastic plant makes the cases or containers of the batteries.
“The is no manufacturing plant in the other mentioned countries under our jurisdiction hence the manufacturing plant in Zimbabwe feeds into Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique with country managers in those countries reporting to the Zimbabwe office.”
“While competition has emerged over the years, the company has continued to evolve with the brand gaining significant recognition and market confidence.
“The brand has evolved over a long period. We are a tried and tested brand whose operations here in Zimbabwe started in 1952, but we have been around for quite some time since the early 1912 where we used to make batteries using a wooden container before moving to a rubber case and now to the plastic case in our quest to move with technology.
“We have also moved from flooded batteries to maintenance free batteries through the demand for flooded batteries remains.
“Our drive is to continue leading the market with our varied products designed to meet the needs of the client.”
With power becoming an issue in Zimbabwe, the region and beyond, Pasipanodya said Exide solar has become a big hit with the market thanks to their professionalism, technical expertise and quality guarantee.
“Solar is a big requirement in Africa and we are making solar batteries though we are yet to make the solar panels and inverters,” he said.
“We are also doing installations in partnership with those who make solar panels and inverters and we have enjoyed good customer feedback in that section.
“Where solar is concerned, we encourage clients to engage experts because we have seen some people losing their houses to avoidable faults.
“At Exide solar we have able electricians and technicians to help with installations and all our installations come with a guarantee and maintenance support.
“You will not have challenges with our solar system because you are dealing with experts.”
Pasipanodya said their company was highly competent on pricing and they guarantee the best service possible.
“Our pricing is also competent and we encourage people to engage us because we have the correct product, technical expertise and we also know how to size solar package installations for different users,” he said.
“We have continued to offer warranty-backed products and services at competent prices, our nationwide branches and authorised dealers ensure that we are able to reach every corner of the country and beyond.”
With clients falling victim to counterfeit products, Pasipanodya said it was important to note that some crooks are bent on exploiting their good brand name for selfish gains and their clients must be vigilant.
“We have 46 branches across the nation and people should only buy from our Exide Express branches and authorised dealers like Victor Onions Power Speed, N Richards and Electro Sales, among others where you are guaranteed you are buying the original Exide battery
“Downtown you will find a lot of fake batteries. People will buy a battery from anywhere or recondition it and then put an Exide sticker and you end up thinking it’s an original Exide battery.
“Some realise they have been misled after buying the wrong one but buying from our shops or dealers guarantees you that you get the original Exide battery and in the event of any manufacturer defects the warranty covers you.”
Pasipanodya also shared on the importance of battery care highlighting that while all their products come with a warranty, battery care remains important especially for the flooded batteries which require maintenance.
“Our maintenance free battery works on led calcium and the level of water loss is very low and we offer 12 months guarantee,” he said.
“However, on the maintainable side we use metal that loses water and we recommend that clients should have their battery checked for topping up of water after every three months.
“Battery checking and water topping is free at all Exide Express branches nationwide and that way you are guaranteed the best experience with all our products.
“Also important to note is that you don’t add sulphuric acid when maintaining batteries, you only add battery water and we provide that for free at all our branches nationwide.”
As the company continues to power the region and introduce new innovations, Pasipanodya also thanked the company’s various stakeholders, clients and staff for the continued support and loyalty.
“We are grateful for the continued support and loyalty from all our clients and key stakeholders who have continued to rally behind Chloride Zimbabwe and the Exide brand,” Pasipanodya said.
“Special thanks also go to our competent staff team for the ideas and innovation.
“Even under difficult circumstances they remain committed and we pledge to continue working together for national good.”
