Company Announcement - The NWK Group’s Noordfed Milling enterprise has acquired a 100% interest in a mill in KwaZulu-Natal. With established brands and a high-volume market, Empangeni Milling complements the modern milling facilities and production capacity of Noordfed in Lichtenburg.

“From 1 February 2015 Empangeni Milling/Noordfed has delivered the same service as before to our client base. We foresee a seamless integration that will have no effect on orders, product availability or deliveries,” said Hendrik Roux, former chief executive officer of Empangeni Milling, who has since been appointed as managerial head. Roux and his management team from Empangeni Milling have already been tasked with the management responsibility of the combined venture.

“A modern mill, geographic location close to the raw material and our established market share in KwaZulu-Natal pave the way for the vision that Empangeni Milling/Noordfed has of the future to ensure that we feed the people of South Africa with passion and with the best-quality product,” said Roux.

The HACCP-accredited maize and wheat milling facilities in Lichtenburg are located in the heartland of the white-maize region of the North West Province, which is known for its high-quality maize. Consumers of brands like 10/10, Super Goal, HayDay and Fat Fowl chicken feed can therefore be assured of the best quality of products.

Empangeni Milling, which was formerly in the Grindrod stable, has a well-established market in a radius of 200 km from Empangeni. The new venture will now have the opportunity to expand this market geographically. The same applies to the expansion of the client base in North West, surrounding areas, as well as nationally.

Empangeni Milling/Noordfed is an advocate of and is committed to black empowerment as well as the establishment of a Broad Based BEE partner. Current consultation with Intshona Holdings, a company owned by black women, is progressing well. The proposed transaction will be to the socio-economic benefit of rural women and communities, and specifically farmworker communities. As this is still in the negotiation stage, more information in this regard will be announced in due course.