Six new industrial facilities are planned for Shakaskraal following a major R350-million investment.

Shree Property Holdings announced plans to expand the Woodmead Industrial Park over the next 12 months, adding about 40 000m² of warehouse and manufacturing space to the area.

The announcement was made during a meeting between KwaDukuza municipality, Shree Property Holdings, Hesto Harnesses and the iLembe Chamber of Commerce at the industrial park last Tuesday.

The latest development brings Shree Property Holdings’ total investment in the KwaDukuza municipal area to about R620-million, making it one of the region’s largest private industrial investments in recent years.

iLembe Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Cobus Oelofse described the investment as a strong vote of confidence in the region’s economy.

“This investment represents far more than bricks and mortar. It sends a powerful message to investors nationally and internationally that iLembe is open for business,” he said.

Oelofse said industrial and logistics infrastructure plays an important role in economic growth and job creation, while creating opportunities for local suppliers, contractors and small businesses.

He also called on the municipality to improve the management of industrial areas and consider incentives to drive further investment.

KwaDukuza mayor Siduduzo Gumede welcomed the investment and stressed that partnerships between the municipality and private sector are essential for creating and sustaining jobs.

Shree Property Holdings first entered the KwaDukuza market in 2013 with the development of a 10 000m² warehouse facility in Ballito’s Laguna Seca Park. The company later expanded after purchasing about 150 000m² of industrial land in Etete in 2016.

One of its biggest developments was a manufacturing and warehousing facility valued at about R220-million. The facility was later taken over by Hesto Harnesses and converted into a manufacturing plant known as Plant C in 2023. It currently supports more than 800 jobs.

Shree Property Holdings managing director Craiglen Naidoo said the company remains committed to investing in KZN and creating opportunities for local contractors, suppliers and workers.