ZIMPLOW Holdings Limited (Zimplow) is stepping up its push for value-adding partnerships with reputable global manufacturers in 2025 as the group seeks to enhance its product offering, strengthen earnings and restore profitability, businessdigest has learnt.
This follows the diversified industrial group’s latest move through its Powermec division, which has sealed a strategic partnership with Chinese solar giant Aiko Solar (Aiko).
The collaboration links Aiko’s advanced solar technologies with Zimplow’s established local distribution and service infrastructure, targeting residential, commercial and industrial clients.
According to the company, the partnership will enable the rollout of high-efficiency solar solutions that promise superior reliability and stronger returns on investment for Zimbabwean customers.
The development comes as Zimplow recently disposed of one of its properties for US$3,2 million to unlock capital for redeployment into high-return business lines, part of its wider strategy to rebuild financial resilience.
Zimplow slipped into a loss position in the year ended December 31, 2024, posting a US$2,16 million loss after tax, largely due to the effects of the 2023/24 drought on the agriculture segment.
Agriculture accounted for 96,6% of the group’s operational losses. This marked a reversal from a profit of US$559 871 in 2023 and US$918 837 in 2022, as operating conditions continued to tighten.
Powermec, the group’s power solutions unit, supplies backup power equipment and increasingly, alternative power systems.
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“Zimplow continues to pursue a strategy of value-adding partnerships with reputable international manufacturers across our business units,” Zimplow group chief executive officer Willem Swan told businessdigest in messaged responses concerning the Aiko partnership.
“The group is always exploring opportunities that strengthen our portfolio of world class products, only committing to relationships that deliver real value to our customers and by extension the national economy.
“Every partnership we consider must support group long-term sustainable growth ambitions, while ensuring technology excellence, affordability and sustainable impact for Zimbabwe.”
Swan said the group was deliberately repositioning itself into a more diversified and future-focused industrial player.
“Strengthening our alternative power segment enhances the group’s resilience, supports the mechanisation, agricultural, and logistics divisions with energy security, and positions Zimplow as a key contributor to national renewable energy goals,” he said.
“This partnership will also drive incremental revenue streams, broaden our product offering and allow us to support all our customers, from agriculture to mining, with clean, dependable and reliable power solutions.”
Swan added that Aiko, a global leader in high-efficiency N-type solar modules and smart energy components, provided both technological credibility and a platform for skills development and knowledge transfer in Zimbabwe.
“This collaboration allows us to bring world-class technology to Zimbabwe, improve availability of reliable renewable energy systems, and ensure our customers across all sectors of the economy have the power security needed to support productivity and the ensuing growth that accompanies productivity,” he said.
“The partnership also contributes to technology transfer, skills development, and increased energy independence for the nation.
“Through this partnership, Powermec, a division of Zimplow, will become official distributors of Aiko’s solar panels, ensuring customers benefit from superior performance, durability, and optimal energy,” Swan added.
Zimplow’s recovery efforts have started yielding early signs of progress. For the half-year ended June 30, 2025, the group reported a narrowed loss of US$499 586, an improvement of nearly 70% from the comparative period.
Management attributed the gains to staff rationalisation, tighter cost controls, improved supplier pricing negotiations and asset disposals.
