Coleman Wires and Cables Industries has said that, in its plant operations especially, 30 percent of its staff consists of women.
The 30% female worker representation, as stated in a statement by Coleman’s Managing Director, George Onafowokan, demonstrated the company’s attempts to dispel the myth that machine operators must be men.
The statement partly reads: “Our objective has always been to ensure gender balance within our workforce.”
Adding: “The manufacturing sector often assumes that machine operators must be men, but we’ve demonstrated that women can perform these roles exceptionally well.”
The CEO of Coleman stated that gender inclusion was made possible by the company’s technology approach since 78% of its machines are not heavy-duty.
“For tasks requiring heavy lifting, (Coleman) has the necessary equipment, allowing women to work alongside men efficiently” Onafowokan stated.
But according to Coleman’s CEO, the company’s gender balance policy went beyond just purchasing machinery; it also included making sure the machines were operationally designed so that both men and women could use them efficiently, BrandSpur local news brand reports.
He had this to say: “Our strategy is intentional and has proven successful. Women excel in multitasking, and in areas requiring precision and adherence to guidelines, they often outperform men. This has enhanced our operational efficiency.”
Because of the labor-intensive nature of the machinery at the time, Onafowokan noted that at the Coleman factory’s founding, just 1% of the staff was female. However, in the present, there is a supportive environment that supports men and women equally.
However, Coleman Industries’ accomplishment was praised by Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director General of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, who noted that it establishes a new benchmark for the sector.
