Elso Holdings: The home-grown cleaning giant

Elso Holdings has long been a household name in Namibia - and rightly so, as their range of quality locally-manufactured cleaning products have been helping Namibians keep their homes and businesses clean and sparkling for over 65 years.

A substantial local manufacturer, the company prides itself on the environmentally-friendly manufacturing of biodegradable, toxic-free cleaning liquids and powders, tissue paper products and cleaning equipment.

With seven branches across the country and around 120 employees, the company is also in an ideal position to increase its supply to wholesalers, retailers, guest houses, hotels, businesses and government ministries.

Speaking to the My.Na Property team last week, Lucille Rossouw, Elso Holdings Namibia national training manager, related how this iconic local company got its start.

“Elso Holdings is the oldest and only Namibian manufacturer of cleaning materials, which has been delivering quality products for more than 65 years to our Namibian customers. The wide range of products cater for all, from the daily house chores to cleaning the biggest factories and shopping malls in the country,” she said.

“During the 1940s, there was an elephant cull in the north. Our founder then saw the opportunity to produce soap with the by-products of the elephants and that is also how our original name, The Elephant Soap Company, and logo came about.”

“Then, in the 1990s, our management at the time saw the potential to expand the product range and maximise the company’s offering while shortening the name to Elso Holdings, she added.

Having grown from strength to strength on the back of their affordable quality products, in 2016, the company was acquired by a local private equity firm, Eos Capital, as the first acquisition of its kind by the firm’s Allegrow Fund.

“Eos Capital aims to expand Elso Holdings Namibia and place the existing enterprise’s environmentally-friendly, bio-degradable products within reach of more Namibians and those within the SADC region,” Rossouw said.

Every product you need

With consumer needs ever-evolving, Elso has committed itself to innovating its offering and expanding its range to suit the needs of the market.

The company's range includes cleaning products and equipment, sanitary paper products and a wide range of related items.

Among their new products is a standout degreaser which is non-toxic, bio-degradable and safe for use on your braai, in your kitchen and even to get stubborn grease stains out of clothing after a 'kuier'.

Rossouw also shared her own top tip on how to get your grill sparkling.

“My tip for cleaning stubborn grease off your grill is to use a black plastic bag with a thickness of between 50 to 70 microns. Apply our Elso grill degreaser, add some warm water and simply let it stand for a while. Et voila!” she said.

Another top-seller is their bio-degradable dishwashing liquid, Citro Clear.

“Not only is this an excellent product that makes dishwashing easy and convenient, but it is also extremely affordable, with a two-litre container costing no more than N$30, which underscores one of our main focuses - helping Namibian households and companies achieve the best cost-savings and value for money while not having to compromise on quality,” she said.

The Scale Away descaler is ideal for bathrooms, especially toilets, showers or anything ceramic, while their Elso's Bio Ozon is another standout, with its winning formulation that absorbs ultraviolet light and re-emits it as blue light, making your clothes seem whiter and brighter.

“Not only is the Bio Ozon extremely effective, but it won’t damage your clothes. I’ve actually had experiences where I walk into an establishment like a hotel and can immediately tell they use Bio Ozon, due to its distinct fresh aroma,” Rossouw said.

Responsible and refillable

Elso also offers its customers the option of refilling containers with its cleaning products to curb wastage and save money. Four of Elso's factory outlets around Namibia offer this convenient and environmentally-friendly service.

“Through reusing and recycling plastic products, we can contribute to reducing the plastic waste that is produced. By simply refilling the bottles, containers and jars at our factory stores, the need for new containers is significantly lowered,” Rossouw explained.

Elso is building truly Namibian brands in the cleaning space with new products that can compete head-on with the imported names.

Customers are welcome to visit Elso stores across the country to place orders to purchase Elso products. These stores outside of Windhoek will now be co-located with its supply chain partner’s depot facilities to ensure higher stock availability and reduced inefficiency.

“We also offer training for cleaning and maintenance staff to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge to clean effectively, hygienically and also use cleaning products efficiently to reduce waste and maximise savings,” Rossouw said.

For more information, contact Rossouw on 081 255 8605 or at [email protected], or contact the representatives below for assistance in your area.

Main branch sales ambassador: Tisha - 081 783 1900 - [email protected].

Keetmanshoop branch: Rykie - 081 260 5418 - [email protected].

Walvis Bay branch: Varne - 081 366 2346 - [email protected].

Tsumeb branch: JP - 081 479 5826 - [email protected].

Ondangwa branch: Adri - 081 880 4590 - [email protected].