Mary-Ann Musangi Mary-Ann

Leading the Charge of Innovation and Economic Growth in Africa

When it comes to leading a successful business, there are few people who can match the expertise and experience of this CEO. With a career spanning over a decade in the international business arena, Mary-Ann Musangi is a leader who has made a name for herself as a visionary and results-driven Managing Director in the dynamic business arena.

With her wealth of knowledge and experience, MaryAnn is a true pioneer in the manufacturing and distribution industry and a driving force behind the success of HACO industries-manufacturing and distributing personal care and home care products. Under her leadership, HACO industries have continued to thrive and innovate, with a commitment to providing productive jobs and contributing to the national economic goal of poverty alleviation and equity creation.

We at CIOLook interviewed Mary-Ann on her persuasion to be an entrepreneur and lead the manufacturing industry.

Let’s dive into the insights of the interview!

Brief our audience about your journey as a dynamic leader until your current position at your company. What challenges have you had to overcome to reach where you are today?

When people ask me about my journey, I always find it difficult to know where to begin. My journey has been multi-faceted, and it's not linear like most people describe theirs. But I can give a few highlights that have led me to where I am today.

Firstly, my greatest influence has been my father, the late Dr. Chris Kirubi. He was a visionary businessman, a leader, a mentor and a pioneer. He instilled a strong sense of leadership and business acumen in me. With his guidance, I embarked on a journey that would take me across the globe, from Switzerland to Morocco and beyond, as I honed my skills in international business and entrepreneurship.

Throughout my career, I have worked with some of the world's leading corporations and brands, gaining valuable insight into the best practices of global manufacturing and distribution. And yet, my true passion lies in building strong structures for national brands and working towards the sustained economic growth of their home country.

In 2019, I took the reins of one of my father's companies, a leading manufacturer of personal and home care products with a commanding presence in the region.

Enlighten us on how you have been impacting the dynamic industry through your expertise in the market.

The manufacturing industry has been on steady growth of 15% contribution to GDP for many years. In the past 7 years, however, we have seen a decline to the current 7.2%.

This has been caused by many factors, both domestic and global, that have affected the competitiveness of the sector. As I stepped into HACO’s leadership in 2019, a significant change happened. Bic Société, which had contracted us to produce their pens since 1974, did not renew their contract with us, which then meant that the two companies had to undergo a demerger. Given the contribution of the Bic Pens to HACO’s overall business, the impact was huge, and it demanded a quick shift in priorities to enable us to land on our feet and continue to stay afloat.

My experience in Marketing and Communications, as well as a Business Leader and Entrepreneur, came in handy as I steered HACO into stability supported by a very able team. We had to innovate quickly, secure new markets fast, retain strong networks and make our brand formidable enough to see us through this change.

5 years later, I am happy to say that we expanded our product portfolio in the three categories and expanded steadily into 7 markets in Africa, with more markets in West Africa and Globally in our sightline.

Describe in detail the values and culture that drive your organization.

The objective of the firm is to create high-quality care goods for African people and populations, instilling pride in African-made products and promoting innovation that will improve the lives of people on the continent.

HACO Industries began as a contract factory, collaborating with worldwide companies to offer highquality products to East Africa and beyond. Today, the firm has achieved international best practices, and its brands, which include MIADI, ASHANTI-Q, AMARA, ACE, SO SOFT, SPARKLE, and HACO PLASTICS, have become regional household names. Due to its unrivalled and extensive distribution network throughout East and Central Africa, HACO Industries has also been entrusted with manufacturing and distributing Palmer's brand by the worldwide corporation E.T. Browne Drug Corporation, Inc.

HACO Industries is dedicated to long-term economic growth, creating productive employment, and achieving Kenya's 2030 national economic objective of poverty reduction and equitable creation. The company collaborates with the government, corporate industry, academia, and other stakeholders to discover solutions for the manufacturing sector, which is the country's major income generator.

HACO Industries is a torchbearer, developing, innovating, and advancing the industry. Its founder's vision in domestic manufacturing, driving world-class invention, manufacturing and supply chain, distribution, and consumer marketing remains at the heart of the company's goal today.

Undeniably, technology is playing a significant role in almost every sector. How are you advancing towards technological innovations to make your solutions resourceful?

The African Development Bank predicts that 50% of Africa's youth will be unemployed and economically inactive by 2025. The continent has a young population of 65%, which has led to a debate about whether Kenya and Africa are ready for the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR).

However, the capacity of young people to steer and promote the 4IR should be the focus rather than readiness. HACO, a leading homegrown manufacturing company in Africa, is committed to elevating local talent and skills to compete on a global level, especially in embracing new trends and ideas.

HACO believes in knowledge co-creation, which involves participative value creation, where stakeholders, including industry and academia, actively participate in problem definition and solving. This approach allows for the creation of more relevant solutions for everybody.

HACO is collaborating with a number of universities, including the University of Nairobi and Strathmore University, to improve young people's skill sets and enable them to actively push 4IR in Africa. Academic lab incubators are crucial sites for promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and research.

Companies like HACO can help their nations and residents achieve long-term economic goals by utilizing their history and position in the manufacturing industry. Manufacturing can expand and compete worldwide via collaborations, co-creation and empowering the young.

The 4IR may be difficult, but with the appropriate strategy and cooperation, African youth can use this digital revolution to define the continent's future.

What, according to you, could be the next significant change in your sector? How is your company preparing to be a part of that change?

Climate change mitigation and moving towards net positivity are not just the next steps but an ongoing necessary, and urgent change for industries. Green manufacturing has become a cornerstone for companies to sustain their position as market leaders. Environmental efforts-HACO, a local manufacturing company, has anchored its sustainability on three key Sustainable Development Goals - SDG 8, SDG 12, and SDG 17.

Through this, we do the following:

Ÿ Provide sustainable jobs (direct and indirect).

Ÿ Source our essential oils from local, rural small-scale farmers in all our markets. We focus mainly on enterprises that are owned by or employ women as a majority.

Ÿ Use biodegradable raw materials in our manufacturing processes.

Ÿ Recycle/reuse of plastic components towards zero waste.

Ÿ Wastewater reduction and management in our production

Ÿ Resource and energy efficiency, through solarpowered manufacturing

Ÿ Ensure no use of harmful ingredients are used in any of our products.

Ÿ Leverage partnerships to create lasting socioeconomic solutions.

Employment and skill development -HACO employs close to 400 people, partners with hair care businesses in East Africa, and trains them on global standards in hair care. HACO has trained over 15,000 women in the salon and hair care, creating numerous entrepreneurial opportunities and economic impact through indirect employment. It has also created strong partnerships with local academia and aims to have more of these partnerships with various institutions across the region.

HACO’s efforts for local sourcing and Agricultural value chain–sources its natural oils from small-scale farms in rural Kenya that are either owned by or primarily employ women in their workforce. HACO uses solar power to significantly reduce its carbon footprint and increase self-sufficiency. Through its use of solar energy, HACO was able to displace a total of 202 tonnes of CO2 last year.

Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run, and what are your future goals for the organization?

HACO Industries is expanding its reach to be a household name for skin care, home care and hair care products in Africa. We are working to be on the frontline of showcasing Africa’s ingenuity to the world. We aim for our brands to be the most preferred African-made brands with a commanding presence in every household by 2030.

Simply put, HACO is intent on running a sustainabilitydriven business model through an empowered African workforce that will drive the delivery of African brands for African people in Africa and beyond.

What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs who aspire to venture into the dynamic industry?

I would say, “Be curious and stay curious.” The world is changing fast, and it is only by continuous learning and improvement will stay ahead. I like the word agility because it represents the kind of character that is desirable in this unpredictable world. And if you continue to learn, your ability to be agile is enhanced, and you can adopt, pivot, leapfrog and set the pace.