Style Industries limited fires all of its employees, shuts down over difficult working environment, shifting markets among other uncontrollable issues.
The famous Synthetic hair manufacturer declared thousands of its employees redundant and stopped its operations in Kenya citing several reasons to why it reached at the decision.

Style Industries Limited is a subsidiary of Godrej Consumer Products, a Multinational Indian conglomerate which makes products ranging from soaps to beauty products, made the decison on 29th last month. Darling has operations in 14 countries in Africa including South Africa and Mozambique. Godrej acquired South Africa’s Kinky Group in 2008 and Mozambique-based hair colour brand Rapidol in 2006. Godrej also acquired Nigeria’s personal care brand Tura for an undisclosed sum in 2010.

In a letter addressed to its employees in General, the company's director Mr.Dharnesh Gordhon said that the company had exhausted all the options available that would have made it survive hence decided to close down its business in totality.

" We trust this message finds you well, following our prior communications and extensive consultation sessions concerning the contemplated closure of our artificial hair business and consequent redundancies. It is with deep regret that we must now confirm that Style Industries Limited decision to proceed with redundancy process despite efforts to explore potential alternatives," Gordhon said in his letter addressed to all the employees.

He asserted that all positions of the company employees had been scrapped and all the activities halted adding that employees will be paid their sent off payment as required by law.

" All of you will be paid contractual dues as follows; your Salary up to and including February 29,2024, one months Salary in lieu of notice and earned but un utilized leave," read the letter in parts.

He added that all the payments will be subjected to deductions like NSS and others as per the law. The closure comes weeks after the company wrote another letter to its employees warning them of a possible close down and firing. The letter stated that , the circumstances that led to the decision were as a result of tough economic times and issues beyond their control.

" Dear team, we hope this notice finds you well, we wish to communicate a significant decision made by board of directors of Style Industries Limited in responce to various economic challenges and circumtances beyond our control. After careful consideration and in depth evaluation of the current business landscape, it is with deep regret that we formally notify you of the contemplated closure of artificial hair business of our company, the economic challenges we have faced coupled with operational difficulties and market shifts, have created an environment where sustaining business is nolonger viable ," the company warned its employees.

The company further later did some public participation on the issue and no solution was found.

The decision has left over 2000 employees jobless and stranded.

In recent times, the Mumbai-based firm has been on a shopping spree for Kenyan firms in the beauty industry. Few years ago Godrej purchased a 75-percent stake in Canon Chemicals, the makers of Valon petroleum jelly in Kenya.

Canon Chemicals had Sh1.2 billion in revenues years back. The chemicals firm is a member of Club 101, which includes companies with an excess of Sh1 billion in annual turnover having participated in the Business Daily-sponsored Top 100 Survey in the past.

Godrej intends to use Canon Chemicals to expand its brands that include air fresheners and baby care products. The Indian manufacturer will also use Canon to expand its products and those of its new partner to other African countries.