HACO’s five decades: How company’s creative ways have stimulated shared growth

HACO Industries has turned 50. The five decades of its existence is crowned with transformative growth in various dimensions, achieved through focus on innovation, sustainability, and quality.

From modest beginnings in the 1970s, we have grown into a leading player in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, delivering personal and home care solutions that cater for millions of consumers across East Africa and beyond.

A Journey of Milestones

Our journey began with essential household products such as BIC stationery and shaving products through licensing arrangements with companies such as BIC Société, Alberto Culver, and Jeyes LTD, among others to pioneering and developing our own diversified portfolio of brands to meet evolving consumer needs by expanding into personal and home care category with flagship brands.

Miadi, tailored for African hair, became an instant success, cementing its position as a leader in hair care. Amara built a reputation for personal care excellence, while SoSoft revolutionised laundry routines. Sparkle and Ace became synonymous with trusted cleaning solutions, resonating with households across the region.

Our Staff and Consumers

We acknowledge that our growth is a shared achievement. It is the synergy between our passionate workforce and our supportive consumer base that has made this journey extraordinary. All form the bedrock of our growth story, driving us to achieve excellence and innovate for the future. Our staff stands as the backbone of our operations. Their relentless commitment, expertise and adaptability continue to fuel HACO’s ability in navigating the evolving market landscapes.

Equally vital are our consumers, whose loyalty and trust has shaped HACO into the brand it is today. At the heart of our growth lies a deep understanding of African consumers, blending local insights with global best practices to create products that cater for diverse markets.

Innovating for Sustainability

Our forward-thinking philosophy extends beyond product innovation into sustainability efforts. As a leader in sustainable manufacturing, HACO has embraced initiatives to reduce waste, promote recycling and incorporate biodegradable packaging. The strategic collaboration with Mr Green Africa, boasting a presence in both Kenya and Uganda, has enabled the recovery and recycling of plastic waste, creating value along the supply chain.

Further advancing our sustainability agenda, we recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Progreen Innovations. Through this partnership, HACO will offset its plastic waste to Progreen, which converts plastics and biomass into poly-diesel, a cleaner and cost-effective alternative to conventional diesel. As part of this circular collaboration, the poly-diesel will be supplied back to the company for use in production, creating a closed-loop system that reduces environmental impact while lowering operational costs.

Empowering Communities

By embracing local sourcing, we continually engage and empower our farmers who are at the heart of our operations as key suppliers of essential natural oils and biodegradable raw materials such as shea butter, canola oil and coconut oil among many others used in our personal care products.

Across the agri-business value chain in both Kenya and Uganda, we have impacted more than 35,000 farmers, both directly and indirectly, while actively prioritising women-led SME enterprises and farmer networks in realising socio-economic growth.

Our commitment to excellence has seen us take up an active role in enriching the body of knowledge through our partnership with Academia, majorly with the local universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions (TVETs), geared at equipping the students with the technical knowhow to be skilled workers and eventually job creators. Our hair care partnership with TVETs through the years has impacted over 40,000 students in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

In Uganda, through our workshops and seminars across various cities, including Kampala, Jinja, Mbale, and Masaka, we have empowered more than 450 hairdressers, beauticians and saloon professionals with advanced skills and knowledge. This partnership has enabled the trainees to establish own businesses and create job opportunities. We also continuously support SMEs by empowering them to become our brands stockists.

As part of our unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and community well-being, we partnered with the Association of Kenyans Living in Rwanda for a transformative tree planting and clean-up exercise around Kigali’s iconic Amahoro Stadium. Held every last weekend of the month, these clean-ups unite diverse groups in a shared mission to promote cleaner, greener spaces.

Pan-African Ambition

Building on this legacy, HACO is now focused on expanding its footprint across Africa. Currently, a cluster market model strategy is in execution with the Eastern cluster encompassing Kenya, South Sudan and Tanzania. The central cluster incorporates Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, while the Southern Cluster includes Zambia, Malawi and Western Democratic Republic of Congo.

Despite a strong presence in Eastern Africa, the company is actively pursuing opportunities in West Africa, aiming to position itself as a Pan-African leader in the FMCG sector. This strategic expansion aligns with regional trade agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area, which facilitate integrated markets for trade and services across the continent.

“Africa is brimming with potential and we are committed to becoming a leading player across the region,” says HACO Industries Managing Director Mary-Ann Musangi. “Our goal is to leverage homegrown talent and solutions to meet the unique needs of African consumers while creating shared value for our partners.”

Inspiring Leadership

Mary-Ann’s leadership has been instrumental in driving the company’s evolution. Her commitment to sustainability, circular manufacturing, and community empowerment recently earned her recognition as the 1st Runners-Up for the Circular Economy Leader of the Year 2024 at the 9th Circular Economy Conference Awards.

As the Chairperson of the Women in Manufacturing (WIM) Programme under the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), her influence extends beyond HACO, championing women entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive growth across the sector.

Recently, The Workforce Development Global Alliance board awarded her the Wangari Maathai Humanitarian Award in recognition of her work in supporting matters related to health, mentorship and education.

Recognition and Awards

Over the years, HACO Industries has been honoured with numerous accolades that celebrate our commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability. These achievements are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teams, stakeholders and partners who have supported our mission.

Looking Ahead

We are committed to expanding our product lines, enhancing customer experiences and deepening market penetration. “Our vision is to build a brand synonymous with excellence, innovation and African pride,” says Mary-Ann. With robust strategies in place and a leadership team dedicated to continuous improvement, the company is poised for even greater success.

As we mark 50 years of success, we celebrate not only our achievements but also the opportunity to lay the foundation for future growth. The journey from a local manufacturer to a Pan-African powerhouse demonstrates what is possible when businesses combine vision, resilience and purpose. As the business steps into the next chapter, HACO remains committed to its core values of quality, sustainability and community impact.

Thank You for 50 Years of Trust

As we celebrate this golden milestone, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of this journey. Your trust, collaboration and belief in our vision has been the foundation of our success.

Here’s to 50 more years of innovation, resilience and shared growth! Click here to download a content-rich flyer. For more information about the company, go to https://www.haco.co.ke/