Our Business

A Heritage of High-Quality Luxury

Glodina® Group is the name behind South Africa’s most trusted towelling brands, woven with precision, designed for longevity and crafted for those who understand the quiet power of true luxury.

Our Vision

To be the market leader in quality towelling in Southern Africa.

Our Mission

To position Glodina® and Colibri™ as proudly South African brands that embody luxury, reliability, and innovation. Manufactured to the highest standards in our state-of-the-art facility in Hammarsdale, KZN, we deliver globally competitive, customer-centric products while championing sustainability and responsible local production.

Beyond Manufacturing: A Purpose Woven into Every Thread

At the heart of Glodina® Group lies a higher calling that extends beyond crafting world-class luxury towelling. We endeavour to uplift, empower and contribute meaningfully to the people and the places that surround us.

A Culture That Celebrates People

People are our greatest asset. From loyal customers to dedicated staff, our people‑centric culture drives our success. We invest in training, innovation and growth – proudly building a team that’s 98% Black South African.

Reviving Local Industry

We’re restoring resilience to South Africa’s textile industry by championing local production, creating jobs in KwaZulu‑Natal and challenging the dominance of imports – reshaping the future of sustainable local manufacturing.

We’re restoring resilience to South Africa’s textile industry by championing local production, creating jobs in KwaZulu‑Natal and challenging the dominance of imports – reshaping the future of sustainable local manufacturing.

Our Service Ethos

Glodina® Group is more than a manufacturer – we’re a trusted partner. We deliver agile, responsive service that importers can’t match, collaborating with clients to create quality-driven, reliable customer experiences.

Community-Driven with a Growth Mindset

Our impact reaches beyond the factory. Through corporate social initiatives, we uplift and inspire the Hammarsdale and surrounding communities, restoring local pride and nurturing future generations.​

Our impact reaches beyond the factory. Through corporate social initiatives, we uplift and inspire the Hammarsdale and surrounding communities, restoring local pride and nurturing future generations.​

Our Future-Focused Ambition

Brand

A reinvigorated and visible brand, regaining market share through innovative, design‑led collections and dynamic, engaging marketing.

Operations

A sustainable, efficient and modern manufacturing capability agile enough to scale as demand grows while consistently delivering excellence.

People

Growth in meaningful employment and skills development, empowering our workforce and enriching the communities we serve.

Industry Role

A revitalised South African towelling champion, proudly driving import replacement, uplifting the local
industry and setting the benchmark
for textile excellence.

A revitalised South African towelling champion, proudly driving import replacement, uplifting the local industry and setting the benchmark for textile excellence.

Our Values

Our values are more than guiding principles, they are the threads that run through every towel we weave, every partnership we build and every decision we make. Devoted to our commitment to people, quality and purpose, our C.A.R.I.N.G framework defines how we show up in the world on a daily basis.

Collaboration

Leverage collective genius.

We firmly believe that the best outcomes are born through unity. We are able to unlock exceptional possibilities when we share knowledge, uplift each other and build together.

Collaboration is woven into our company culture. Whether it is teams coming together to problem-solve, or working closely with retail and hospitality partners
to create bespoke solutions, our strength lies in our shared purpose.
Collaboration is woven into our company culture. Whether it is teams coming together to problem-solve, or working closely with retail and hospitality partners to create bespoke solutions, our strength lies in our shared purpose.

Accountability

If it is to be, it is up to me.

Accountability is key. From the production floor to the boardroom, each team member takes ownership and pride in consistently delivering excellent results.

We empower our people to lead with initiative, taking responsibility for outcomes, owning the process and proudly delivering on promises. It is a mindset that builds trust and momentum at every touchpoint.

Reliability

As reliable as our products.

We honour our commitments to our customers, our colleagues and our communities by consistently delivering quality and care.

Our reputation is built on reliability; from the towels we craft to the service we provide. Timely deliveries,
high‑quality craftsmanship and responsive communication are an integral part of who we are.

Integrity

We are open, honest, ethical, and fair.

We lead with transparency and trust. Fair dealings and ethical decision-making are at the heart of everything we do.

We do not cut corners; not in our products and not in our practices. From managing supplier relationships to navigating challenges internally, we act honestly and fairly, even when it is difficult.

Nurturing

Build a positive team and family spirit.

We cultivate a work culture where people thrive by encouraging and supporting personal development, teamwork and a sense of belonging that extends far beyond our factory walls.

Our people are our pride. We invest in their growth, champion their wellbeing and support their journeys. This same care is extended to our customers and our communities, as we value and nurture long-term relationships over transactional sales.

Governance

Responsible governance and strong stakeholder relationships.

We are committed to sound, sustainable business practices that serve the long-term good of our company, our people and our country.

Sound decision-making and accountability are at the core of Governance. We operate with discipline and clarity, guided by robust governance structures that support ethical standards, risk management and long-term sustainability for our shareholders, partners, and communities.

Our Brands

Glodina® Group proudly stewards two of South Africa’s most iconic towelling brands. These brands are leaders in luxury, performance and heritage. Distinct in personality, yet united by a shared standard of excellence, our brands have become household names, trusted by generations.

Glodina Black Label

The choice of champions with a legacy of excellence. For over 70 years, Glodina Black Label® has set the gold standard in institutional towelling, decorating five-star hotels, luxury lodges, hospitals, gyms and professional sporting arenas with effortless sophistication. Proudly crafted in South Africa, this heritage icon is designed for enduring performance and timeless elegance. This brand is celebrated for its plush absorbency, exceptional comfort, and enduring, luxurious quality. Crafted from OEKO-TEX® certified yarns, Glodina Black Label towels are designed to withstand the demands of industrial laundering without compromising softness or strength. A symbol of refined durability, every thread in a Glodina Black Label towel tells a story of mastery, resilience, and trusted luxury with every use.

Colibri Towelling

Colibri Towelling™ embodies everyday luxury; it is made to be lived in and loved. Vibrant in colour, rich in comfort, and joyfully crafted for modern homes, Colibri™ infuses plush cotton softness with trend focused designs to bring bold personality to every space it decorates. This brand is perfect for daily use, gifting and modern living. Each towel crafted with premium-quality cotton to delight the senses and elevate every moment. With more than 70 years of trust woven into every thread, Colibri™ is more than just towelling. It is colour you can feel, comfort you can trust, and quality that keeps up with life.

Business Overview & Operations

Heritage meets innovation through a vertically integrated business model that enables full control over the entire production process, from yarn procurement to finished product. Every towel begins and ends at our KwaZulu‑Natal factory, a 33 000 m² facility driven by state‑of‑the‑art technology and a passionate team of 285 employees. This local, end‑to‑end operation empowers us to offer rapid turnarounds, allowing customers to respond to in‑season demand with confidence and agility.

Our annual production output currently stands at 960 tons, with the capacity to scale up to 1 350 tons to meet increasing demand. What sets us apart is not just the speed or scale; it is our unmatched design capabilities and craftsmanship. With advanced Jacquard and embroidery technology, and a seasoned in-house design team, we deliver towelling products that are both functional and beautifully finished.

Leadership

Ismail Dockrat

Ismail Dockrat

Chief Executive Officer | Business Turnaround Specialist | Strategic Growth Leader

With over two decades of executive leadership spanning manufacturing, textiles, defence, trade and consumer sectors, Ismail Dockrat is the visionary force steering Glodina® Group’s transformation and growth. Celebrated for his strategic acumen and operational mastery, Ismail has led complex turnarounds and driven innovation, sustainability and profitability at scale. His leadership is defined by a hands‑on approach to revitalising businesses, enhancing governance and pioneering digital transformation initiatives including bespoke e‑commerce and ERP systems. An engineer by training with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualification, Ismail blends technical insight with strategic foresight, empowering the Glodina® brand to flourish in dynamic markets.
Nick Vandayar

Nick Vandayar

Group Sales & Marketing Manager | Senior Business Leader | Strategist | Transformation Expert

Nick Vandayar brings over two decades of rich experience leading multi-sector growth and transformation initiatives. From manufacturing to automotive and corporate coaching, his pragmatic and people-centric leadership has consistently delivered accelerated revenue growth and operational excellence. Holding a Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualification, a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management, and advanced strategic leadership qualifications, Nick is the architect of customer-centric sales strategies and market expansion, driving Glodina’s® brand presence and commercial success with clarity and confidence.

Samuel Nonkokwetsi Ntlaba

Samuel Nonkokwetsi Ntlaba

Group Human Resources Manager | Senior HR Leader | Talent & Organisational Development Specialist

Samuel Ntlaba’s 15+ years of human resources leadership are marked by a passionate commitment to people-first strategies that empower workforce capability and drive organisational change. With expertise in employee relations, talent development, and regulatory compliance, Samuel shapes Glodina’s® culture of growth and inclusivity. As a holder of a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Human Resources Development, a National Diploma in Human Resources Management, an Honours Degree in Human Resources, and a Skills Development Facilitation certification, Samuel’s academic expertise underpins his role as a catalyst for nurturing our company’s greatest asset: our people.

Andrew Broughton

Andrew Broughton

Chief Operating Officer | Executive Manager | Textile Technical & Quality Systems Expert

With more than 40 years of experience in textiles, quality systems, and operational excellence, Andrew Broughton combines executive leadership with deep technical expertise. He holds a National Diploma in Textile Technology (DUT), a Financial Management certification (UCT GSB), and completed the Management Development Programme at UKZN GSB. An IRQA‑certified Lead Auditor in Integrated Management Systems, Andrew also carries IRCA‑accredited certifications in ISO 9001 and ISO 45001. His focus on process optimisation, business transformation, and compliance auditing ensures that Glodina® Group consistently achieves the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
Darryl Lavender

Darryl Lavender

Chief Financial Officer | Financial Director | Operational Finance Leader

Darryl Lavender brings 25 years of seasoned financial leadership to Glodina® Group. His broad expertise spans strategic financial planning, operational optimisation and turnaround management within manufacturing and distribution sectors. With a Bachelor of Commerce degree, a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and additional training in supply chain, ERP systems, and advanced financial tools including SAP, Power BI and JD Edwards, Darryl is a registered Chartered Accountant CA(SA) and guides Glodina® Group’s financial strategy with precision to ensure sustainable growth and robust stakeholder alignment.

The Glodina® Experience

Craft is more than a discipline at Glodina® Group; it is an enduring commitment to excellence. Every thread, loop and finish is meticulously executed with precision and pride. From fibre selection to final inspection, each towel reflects over 70 years of heritage and mastery, brought to life within our fully integrated 33 000m² textile operation in South Africa.

Our vertical production model allows us full control over every stage of the manufacturing process from yarn preparation and dyeing to weaving, cutting, hemming, and finishing. This end-to-end supervision guarantees exceptional quality and consistency, while empowering us to respond swiftly to evolving customer needs and market trends.

Producing over two million towels each year, Glodina® Group serves both domestic and international markets with distinction. Our operations are grounded in sustainable practices with a focus on efficient water use, waste reduction, and energy-conscious manufacturing.

Glodina® towels are a hallmark of excellence across luxury hospitality, healthcare, independent retailers and premium retail environments. Designed for performance, crafted with longevity in mind and celebrated for their enduring softness and colourfastness, our towels deliver unmatched durability, wash after wash.

At the heart of it all is our people. Our skilled team, with decades of collective expertise, brings an unwavering dedication to quality that upholds the Glodina® legacy with every towel produced.

Proudly made in South Africa. Trusted across the globe. Crafted for beauty. Crafted to endure.