Local Firm To Manufacture Traffic Lights, Back Batteries

Lusaka - A LOCAL firm, J and Z Technology Limited, has invested over K600,000 in setting up a manufacturing plant for traffic control lights and backup batteries in Ndola. Company business development manager Mauden Shula said the firm designs system circuits that use an intelligent management system and consider all aspects of control, efficiency and can respond to the demands of the system in real time. The company was registered in 2012 and its core business is to design intelligent circuits and systems for multi-sectors including transport, health, energy, manufacturing, mining and local authorities among others. “Over the past four years, over K600,000 has been invested in equipment and machinery, research and development, employee emoluments, business development and general operations,” Mr Shula said in an interview last week. He said the target market are municipalities, cities, utility companies, mines, rail road companies, hospitals, construction firms and defence ministries among others. Mr Shula, however, said the company is having a challenge competing on the local market, as most Zambians prefer imported products. He said despite the challenges, the company is working towards marketing and sensitising key stakeholders to ensure it becomes the major supplier of traffic lights and other electronic systems in Zambia. J and Z Technology intends to become the major supplier of traffic control lights and other electronic systems in the Southern African Development Community region and increase its staff to about 100 to contribute towards creating jobs in the country. Currently, the company is making smart and advanced traffic control lights that can operate 24hrs without grid electricity and portable robots developed as a response to emergency vehicle control needs especially in the new era of load shedding. Others are smart rail line traffic control lights with wireless detectors that can sense approaching trains 800 metres away and advanced inverter for extended and enhanced power back-up hours for various applications.