KVL-WOOD

Collectively, more than 100 million tons of wood are used each year in the production of furniture and interior design materials. Wood is expensive, it is easily attacked by termites, it has poor water resistance, and it encourages deforestation thus resulting in climate change, habitat destruction, and soil erosion. Kenya faces a timber shortage as demand for wood grows in sectors from construction to household furniture. Most of the wood used to build the furniture and interior design materials is poorly treated, overpriced, and irregular in size. Due to the uncertainties and inefficiencies in the value chain, the finished product is sold to middle-class Kenyans at a higher price. Lack of access to suitable wood substitutes has contributed to over-reliance on wood for all purposes translating to high wood demands. According to UN data, Kenya spent around $20m importing wood in the year 2010 which rose to around $50m in 2017 and $83.4m in 2018.

Kavalian Limited collects and recycles paper, plastic, and vegetative waste into particleboard called KVL-WOOD. KVL-WOOD can further be transformed by woodworkers into pieces of furniture and can also be used for interior
design purposes in houses as ceiling boards, wall paneling, and flooring boards. KVL-WOOD is water-resistant, termite-proof, eco-friendly, fire retardant, strong, and durable. 

Kavalian Limited also takes the lead in educating society on the environmental and economic benefits of taking care of the environment using different techniques such as planting trees. Apart from that, we provide women and people with disability with well-maintained sanitation facilities and as well train and educate them on how to overcome different challenges in society and become great leaders. This is in line with the following thematic areas; climate adaptation, rethinking resources, resilient communities, and inclusivity.

I got motivated when I learned that the many challenges in my Taita community in Kenya result from the changing climate conditions resulting from cutting down trees and poor waste management systems. The challenges include; a lack of food and water, a decline in livestock production, displacement of people due to floods & land sliding, and disease outbreaks thus the decline in the quality of life. 

Environmental value. Our innovation mainly addresses climate change through mitigation. Through our technology, we are saving trees from being cut. Kavalian also takes the lead in educating society on the environmental and economic benefits of taking care of the environment using different techniques such as planting trees. The impacts on our environment are quantified and measured based on the following criteria; The number of new trees we plant in a year, the number of existing trees we save from being cut in a year, the amount of waste we collect and recycle in a year, and the amount of CO2 emissions we save in a year. 

Economic value. KVL-WOOD is affordable at cost. Kavalian Limited also creates a positive economic impact on society mainly in the agricultural sector. The majority of the farmers in Kenya and other African countries rely on rain to carry out agricultural activities. Therefore, by mitigating climate change, the availability of rain will increase thus causing a decrease in the cost of production in the agricultural sector and an increase in agricultural and livestock production. 

Social Value. We create job opportunities and promote a healthy environment within our institutions and the community. The impacts in our community are quantified and measured based on the following criteria; The number of formal and informal jobs we create in a year. We create at least 170 formal & informal jobs in a year, the decrease in the number of times floods and land sliding cases occur in a year as compared to the previous year, and the decrease in the number of disease outbreaks.

The company is working in partnership with the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC), Kenya Industrial Research & Development Institute (KIRDI), and Chandaria Business Innovation & Incubation Center at Kenyatta University. The key management team consists of Miss Anna Kadari, Dr. George Kosimbei, Mrs. Pamela Mbae, and Dr. Eric Masika.

Miss Anna Kadari is the founder and CEO of Kavalian Ltd. She Provides executive leadership, oversees the management of the company, leads operations and strategic direction with full responsibility for bottom-line factors, and decision-making. With a background in Economics and Sociology Miss Anna, has experience in leadership, research and development, business strategy and operations, and project development. She also spends most of her free time learning about the way of life of different communities, assessing their needs and challenges thus formulating long-lasting solutions.

DR. George Kosimbei provides advice on the business development and sustainability of Kavalian Ltd. He has over 15 years of experience in development work, providing high-level policy, advisory and technical, facilitation and training support to various companies and organizations including Government departments, NGOs, and academia.

Mrs. Pamela Mbae leads the marketing sector. She has over 8 years of experience in innovation management, product marketing, business development, and team building.

Dr. Eric Masika provides technical advisory in relation to product development and analysis. He has over 13 years of experience in the field.

Through the partnership with Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC), we have been privileged to access funding from KCIC to cater to the Product development phase, Intellectual Property Services, website
development, and branding.

To create perfect products that meet the end-users needs and standards listed in the Kenya Bureau of Standards, we choose to partner and work with experts from Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI). 

On the other hand, the partnership with Chandaria Innovation Center has enabled us to have Kenyatta University as a partner Institution to allow us to access waste materials within the University at zero cost. This has given us an opportunity to learn and devise new mechanisms to improve our waste management services.

We are at the piloting stage. We intend to carry out the piloting project in 4 carpenter’s workshops, 1 public school, 1 orphanage and 30 different households since we believe to get sufficient feedback from them. Will therefore need to make a number of samples that will be used in the project in order for it to run smoothly. Waste materials to make the samples will be collected from commercial areas, learning institutions, and residential areas.

During the program will distribute questionnaires for people to fill in, provide training and resources throughout to help participants find ease in using our products as well understand their value. Part of our team will be doing consistent follow-ups to find out what worked and what didn’t, and will give participants the opportunity to share their feedback throughout the process as well as at the end through group discussions and interviews. The feedback will be important in helping to evaluate if the products we’ve come up with will move forward or if will need to find some other options. Once the pilot program has been completed, we will address the challenges and issues brought up before sending our products out to the masses. Most importantly, we will make sure that the benefits of our products will outweigh the cost to implement them.

The agendas of circular economy, climate adaptation and mitigation, rethinking resources, inclusivity, and resilient communities relate to the work I am doing here at Kavalian Limited. This avenue of work has been my passion and I believe our recent breakthroughs and discoveries would provide Solve’s global network, with some of the industry’s latest research and up-to-date information. Participating in the program is a worthwhile investment and will pay off for years to come. The program provides an opportunity for me to network with industry vendors, meet keynote
speakers, attend valuable educational sessions, and gain specific industry knowledge. Collaborating with other esteemed professionals during the program would further contribute to its success and increase the network of all involved in this field.

According to the traditional market approach which is currently dominant in the country, Kavalian Limited Company is the first company to launch the standard 8ft x 4ft panels made of paper, plastic, and vegetative waste.
We have done thorough research on the raw materials and also incorporated high technology during the production process of the end product to ensure a balance in the inputs used and thus have a final product that is
biodegradable and conducive to the environment. Our final products (particleboards) have unique features, they are water-resistant, termite-proof, fire retardant, strong, eco-friendly, and durable.

In the traditional market, 15 percent of industrial wood available for furniture and interior design is consumed by the Wood-based Panel mills in Kenya, and they produce plywood, MDF, particleboard, block board, and veneer. These mills use pine and cypress as raw materials, with knots and timber structures limiting the visual quality of the end product. The end products are of poor quality since they have poor water resistance, less strength, and are not durable. The craftsmen, therefore, opt to use real wood from trees to make strong and durable furniture and interior design materials thus encouraging deforestation. Real wood from trees also has poor water resistance and is easily attacked by termites. 

The following Economic, Environmental and Social Impact goals will be achieved during the pilot program.
• 12,000 Kgs of waste materials will be collected and recycled.
• 1 orphanage, 1 public school, 30 households, and 40 craftsmen will be directly empowered.
• At least 60 job opportunities will be created directly and indirectly.
• Will plant at least 1,000 trees.
• Community empowerment especially to women and girls

The impacts on our environment are quantified and measured based on the following criteria;
 The number of new trees we plant in a year. 
 The number of existing trees we save from being cut in a year.
 The amount of waste we collect and recycle in a year.
 The amount of CO2 emissions we save in a year. 

The impacts in our community are quantified and measured based on the following criteria;

 The number of formal and informal jobs we create in a year. 

 The increase in the amount of agricultural and livestock production.

 The decrease in the number of times floods and land sliding cases occur in a year as compared to the previous year.

 The decrease in the number of disease outbreaks.

 The increase in the availability of rain. 

 The decrease in the cost of production in the agricultural sector 

The following theory of change applies during the piloting program.

The outcome of the pilot:
 Improved workmanship for the Nairobi carpenters thus making well-designed and finished end Products.
 Positive change of perception by the Nairobi city residents (end users) towards end products made of engineered wood panels thus leading to the high adoption of KVL-WOOD panels. This further leads to a decrease in the rate of cutting down of trees for wood purposes.
 Improved waste management practices in schools, commercial areas, and within households.

First Output (specific results – written as ‘’achieved already’’)

1.) KVL-WOOD panels were supplied to 4 different carpenters' workshops.

Activities (to be done to achieve the first output)

1.1.   Identify and engage 4 carpenters' workshops to make end products for the piloting sites.

1.2.   Fabricate machines  as well as buy other required equipment to facilitate the production process

1.3.   Train the workforce on how to make the KVL-WOOD panels using paper, plastic, and vegetative waste.

1.4.   Distribution of KVL-WOOD panels to the identified carpenters' workshops.

1.5.   Train the carpenters on how to handle KVL-WOOD panels while making end products.

1.6.   Distribute questionnaires and do weekly follow-ups to gather feedback from the carpenters

1.7.   Take photos

 

Target indicators (how we will measure the success of our first output)

• Signed and stamped agreement documents between Kavalian Limited and the identified carpenter’s workshops. 

•  Have a well-established working space for the production of KVL-WOOD panels.
• Have the required number of KVL-WOOD panels to be supplied to the carpenter’s workshops.
• Gather sufficient feedback from the carpenters.

Verification sources for the first output

1) A number of fully operational KVL-WOOD panels are supplied and different furniture and interior design materials are made using KVL-WOOD panels.

Second Output (specific results – written as ‘’achieved already’’)

2.) Chairs, tables, cabinets and chopping boards, ceiling boards, and flooring boards supplied to the end users; one public school, one orphanage, and 30 households.

Activities (to be done to achieve the second output)

2.1 Identify and engage the right piloting sites, one public school, one orphanage, and 30 households.

2.2. Distribution of the end products to different piloting sites

2.3. Equip the end users with knowledge about end products made using KVL-WOOD.

2.4. Distribute questionnaires for people to fill in on the experience they have when using furniture and interior design materials made using engineered wood panels.

2.5 Do weekly follow-ups to gather feedback from different piloting sites.

2.6 Take photos   

Target indicators (how we will measure the success of our second output)

 . Signed and stamped agreement documents to conduct the piloting project in the different piloting sites.

•  Have the required number of end products; chairs, tables, cabinets, chopping boards, ceiling boards, and flooring boards from the carpenter's workshops ready to be distributed to the piloting sites.
• Gather sufficient feedback from individuals in the piloting sites.

Verification sources for the second output

A number of fully operational furniture and interior design materials were supplied and installed in the piloting sites, and a completion report with photos.

We are using a digital platform to streamline the raw materials supply chain from the collection point to the point of production of the final products.

Our solution has the potential to scale massively across Africa and even globally. We are therefore looking forward to establishing partnerships both locally and internationally, for waste collection, capital investment, and planting of trees, to build on brand and easy market penetration.

Kavalian Limited operates on a B2B model and has 4 customer segments which include; Households, Real Estate Agents & Housing Corporations, Business Accommodations, and Private & Public Institutions.

Value Proposition. Kavalian Limited adds value to its customers in the following ways;

• Product value: To our customers, we are offering them an ultimate long-lasting solution by providing them with top-quality end products. Our wood panels are; water resistant, termite proof, strong, durable, Eco-friendly, and have a smooth, unblemished surface and homogeneous core.

• Cost reduction: building a house is expensive, and using KVL-WOOD panels reduces the whole cost.
• Convenience: Our customers can order our products from anywhere and we will deliver them to their destinations.
• Customization: We are offering tailor-made KVL-WOOD panels that are affordable and as per the customer's desires.
• Unique designs
• Increased ratings.
• Comfort
• Confidence
• Satisfaction
• Safety

We reach our potential clients through the following channels:

• Carpenters
• Timber yards
• Hardware stores
• Furniture supply warehouses
• E-commerce sites.
• Personal sales meetings and delivery 

We interact & gather feedback from our customers through social media

platforms, activations & trade shows, and Personal interactions with respective managements.

The key activities in the company include Piloting, mass production of

KVL-WOOD panels, Sales and Marketing, and Distribution. 

To smoothly run our activities, we require the following resources; a working space, Machinery, Raw materials, Transportation systems, Employees, and Working capital. 

The main revenue streams in the company are product sales, contract manufacturing revenue, waste management fees, and business franchise.

The main expenditures in the company are Rental fees, Utilities, Sales & Marketing fees, Purchase of raw materials, Purchase of machinery & other equipment, Operational costs, Packaging materials, and Salaries. 

Our key partners include Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC), Kenya Industrial Research & Development Institute (KIRDI), and Chandaria Business Innovation & Incubation Center at Kenyatta  University. The partnership with Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC), has enabled us to access

funding from KCIC to cater to the Product development phase, Intellectual Property Services, website development, and branding.
The partnership with Kenya Industrial Research and Development
Institute (KIRDI) has enabled us to utilize its facilities and experts to create perfect products that meet the end-user's needs and standards listed in the Kenya Bureau of Standards. On the other hand, the partnership with Chandaria Innovation Center has enabled us to have Kenyatta University as a partner Institution to allow us to access waste materials within the University at zero cost. This has given us an opportunity to learn and devise new mechanisms to improve our waste management services.

 

Currently, we are raising funds through grants and we are also ready and looking forward to partnering with potential investors and organizations that will help us raise the required capital to cater to the identified resources.

In the long run, in order to service our operations and company expenditures, our products shall have a good margin that will be able to generate adequate revenue that will be used to pay the workers, service operation costs,

pay government tax as well as plow back to the business. We shall have a wide range of clients ranging from public to private institutions, business accommodations, housing corporations and real estate agents, and households. The raw materials are readily available locally at low cost thus making the cost of production to be very low. The unit price of an 8feet by 4feet panel will be 20.55 USD which is very affordable. We shall also leverage on the purchasing power of the private institutions and high-end clients
to build on revenue and also help us provide subsidized prices and services to the low-end clients. The main revenue streams are product sales, contract manufacturing revenue, waste management fees and business franchise.

To minimize risks and maximize opportunity, we will take measures such as observing and interacting with customers to gather feedback, customer advice on safe use, transportation, storage and disposal of products and also product labeling so as to ensure customer health and safety. 

The partnership with Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC), has enabled us to access funding of up to USD 3500 to cater to the Product development phase, Intellectual Property Services, website development, and branding.