July and August are the quiet season at D&S with many staff on holiday and activity generally at a low level before the heightened activities of the 'new term' in September when we prepare for the forthcoming year. This lull has been compounded by reduced national economic activity that has resulted from recent fiscal changes but nevertheless several important initiatives have taken place throughout the D&S Group. A most important one, held a few months ago, was the Strategy Review attended by all senior management staff and our valued non-Executive Directors and advisors when future Group priorities are debated and agreed. It is always a stimulating forum and I appreciate the contributions that everyone makes.
The D&S Technical Division under Director Philip Holi has in recent months completed an impressive array of large scale and complex engineering projects that have provided customized solutions for customers in a wide variety of applications. To raise awareness and concisely document a selection of projects spanning the various product segments, an Engineering Project Portfolio document has been published and is available in both hard and soft versions via the D&S Group website and FLO App.
In response to challenging economic circumstances in the Region, a new range of reduced specification super value products under the Dayliff Econo brand (known as Dayliff E-lines) has been introduced Groupwide. The plus specification standard models remain available for those who prefer the more robust product.
D&S Kenya executive Margaret Kuchio and her team have recently opened their 58 Kenyan Branch in Busia Town, in the West of the country. A famous border town that straddles the Kenya/Uganda frontier, Busia has become a thriving business hub and is the Capital City of Busia County which is known for its sugar plantations, tourism and shoreline onto Lake Victoria.
May is an important month in the D&S year as it ends the first financial half and is also when we celebrate Founders Day which marks the Company's founding in 1946, now 77 years ago, by my father Eddie Davis and his partner Dick Shirtliff. We are all very proud of this long history and continuity, which is unusual in the corporate world, and the success that has been achieved by following the founders guiding principles and values. Celebrations were held throughout the Group to mark the occasion which is also when retirements and service awards are presented.
D&S Zambia is now D&S's largest subsidiary that has become the country's market leader in pumps. It also supplies regional markets Zimbabwe and DRC and as volumes have increased additional distribution capacity became essential. To address this GM Jonathan Mainga arranged purchase of a one-acre plot on Luyansha Rd near the existing Head Office that has been developed with a state-of-the-art warehouse and offices block building.
D&S Kenya Branches under executive Margaret Kuchio has opened its newest outlet in Chuka, on the Eastern slopes of Mt.Kenya. Branch Manager Benedict Ngula has opened the doors to local customers who include farmers, businessmen and real estate developers from the thriving surrounding area. The capital of Tharaka-Nithi County, Chuka boasts a large and successful university as well as several local industries.