Midrand becomes Unilever’s African ice-cream capital as factory opens
Midrand becomes Unilever’s African ice-cream capital as factory opens
From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.
Sashnee Moodley:
Unilever has opened its first ice-cream factory in Africa at the Lords View Industrial Park, in Midrand, making it one of 40 Unilever ice-cream factories across the world. Tracy Hancock has the story.
Tracy Hancock:
The about R600-million development saw the Department of Trade and Industry fork out R342-million. Speaking at the opening, Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies emphasised the importance of South Africa, as well as Africa, being more than a producer and exporter of finished products.
Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies:
Tracy Hancock:
Unilever South Africa’s VP of manufacturing Sandeep Desai explained that the idea for Project South Pole, now the Lords View ice-cream factory, was born in 2011.
The factory will not only produce Ola products such as Rich ’n Creamy, Cornetto, Gino Ginelli, Paddelpop and Fruttare but also the most sophisticated ice-cream in Unilever’s portfolio, Magnum.
Unilever South Africa’s VP of manufacturing Sandeep Desai:
Tracy Hancock:
As such, the factory uses smart, green technology to harvest rain water, while recovering and reusing the water used in the production process. It will also apply a zero waste to landfill policy and feature energy efficient technology.
Sustainability and protection of the environment was absolutely key for Unilever, highlighted the company’s executive VP of Africa Bruno Witvoet, who emphasised Unilever’s confidence in South Africa and Africa’s growth potential by investing R4-billion in new and refurbished manufacturing facilities in the country.
Unilever executive VP of Africa Bruno Witvoet:
Tracy Hancock:
British High Commissioner to South Africa Judith Macgregor said ice-cream was a metaphor for social and economic development in South Africa, highlighting the UK’s commitment to the country.
British High Commissioner to South Africa Judith Macgregor
Sashnee Moodley:
Other news making headlines this week:
France-based logistics company ID Logistics’s local fresh-food division IDL Fresh launched its new 15 300 m2 distribution centre in Lancaster Park, Boksburg, earlier this month.
That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy.
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