Top EL company enters mageu drinks market

Firm to spend R10-million after buying out Elvin

ALEADING Eastern Cape dairy is spending R10-million on getting into the traditional maize drinks market. Sundale Free Range Dairy, based in the East London Indus- trial Development Zone (ELIDZ), is diversifying further by buying out the Mageu line from food and beverage company, the East London Vinegar Factory (Elvin).

Sundale will put the new maize drinks plant in their existing ELIDZ plant, said company spokeswoman, Lynette Howe.

She said 15 new jobs will be added to the current 452 employees giving a total of 467.

“The new line will create new jobs for process operators, machine operators, quality controllers and other more general worker positions,” Howe said.

“Mageu is a traditional South African maize product that is rich in nutritional value and immune boosting properties. Like dairy, it is one of the main staple foods in the country.

“Rural communities still rely on staple foods for the majority of their nutrition needs.”

The latest move is part of Sundale’s progressive growth strategy, coming only months after they invested in a new R4-million cheese factory at the plant in October.

Sundale chief executive, Pierre van Rensburg, said the company had achieved a 15% year-on-year growth and launched a number of new products during the last fiscal period, including catering butter, mini-loaf cheeses, cream cheese and double-cream yogurt.

Van Rensburg said: “The acquisition of the Mageu facility from Elvin allows us to invest in a dedicated Mageu line in a new separate facility.

“The new factory will be operational by July which is when we will launch Sundale Mageu to market.

“The new factory will allow Sundale to produce 60 000l per day.

“Our growth is largely attributed to the way we have embraced innovation especially in technology and our approach to business. “We have tried to find smarter, more economical practices.

“We are one of few dairies in the country which recycles all their water. We are one of the greenest dairies. —