Cormart, Kerry partner to boost local production of food flavours in Nigeria
Cormart Niger ia Ltd., a leading chemical & food raw materials company and a member of TGI Group recently announced its partnership with Kerry, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of food flavours and ingredients.
The partnership entails the local manufacturing of flavors for industrial applications. Kerry has been in the Nigerian market for a long time selling finished products, but will now begin local production in Nigeria with Cormart Nigeria Limited.
Martin Middernacht, managing director,
Cormart Nigeria, said the partnership is in line with Cormart’s commitment to expand its manufacturing capabilities in its sectors. It will also enable Kerry to be more sensitive and responsive to the local market requirements.
“We are delighted to partner with a world class company that operates at the highest quality standards. It is a great sign for the quality level at which we operate at Cormart,” said Middernacht.
He said further that the benefits for both businesses and their potential customers are enormous, as this collaboration will improve the quality of the products by saving shipment time, and ultimately reducing cost.
Robin Oort, sales director, Kerry Taste and Nutrition, APMEA, said the flavour manufacturer has had a long standing relationship with Cormart.
According to Oort, the partnership makes it easier for Nigerian manufacturers to conveniently procure the top quality Kerry flavor. “There will be no forex required, less capital tied up in LC’S, smaller minimum order quantities (MOQS) and shorter lead times,” Oort said. Johannes Flosbach, general manager, Cormart Nigeria, said the partnership brings some economic benefits to the manufacturing sector in Nigeria. Accordingly, he disclosed that the deal is timely in view of the recently ratified African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).
“We will not only produce for Nigeria, but also for neighboring markets. This project helps Nigeria become a regional manufacturing hub, and our commitment to the Nigerian market is to ensure that we expand our local manufacturing capabilities,” said Flosbach.
Felicia Onabanjo, the business unit head for Cormart Food and Nutrition department, said the deal will help reduce the cost of importing raw materials, which is an economic boost for beverage, distillery, and confectionary industries.
Onabanjo states further that the partnership will enable a large variety of other local production projects, both for Cormart, its sister companies under the TGI Group, and other companies in the industry. “The project will cover both seasonings for savory applications and sweet flavors, with focus on customized products”.