About African Distillers Company
THE core business of African Distillers Limited is the manufacture, distribution and marketing of branded wines, spirits and ciders for the Zimbabwean market and for export. Historically, the company was established in Bulawayo in 1944 as P J Joubert Limited.
The name of this company was changed to African Distillers (Rhodesia) Limited in 1946. The sale and distribution of imported spirits, liqueurs, and wines were the company’s first focus.
In the same year, a distillery in Mutare was purchased, and local manufacture of a variety of spirits began. African Distillers became a publicly traded corporation in 1951.
The company relocated to Stapleford, a facility just outside Harare that comprises production, warehousing, and distribution facilities, in 1974. It has six depots in Bulawayo, Harare, Kwekwe, Masvingo, Mutare and Victoria Falls which ensure a first-class distribution service. Customer Collection Depots are located throughout the country to supplement these businesses.
Meanwhile, Stanley Muchenje is the managing director of the company. In its last trading uodate, Afdis reported revenue for the third quarter to December 31, 2021 rose 57 and 52 percent for the nine months compared to the same period in the prior year.
In historic terms, revenue growth was 148 percent and 159 percent for the quarter and nine months respectively. The group attributed the revenue growth to volume increases on firm demand over the festive season.
As a result of the firm demand, Afdis, recorded overall volumes growth of 32 percent for the quarter and 48 percent for the nine months compared to the same prior-year period.
Wines volume grew by 67 percent mainly driven by 4th Street due to improved availability and affordability following the local production project which was commissioned in the quarter under review.
Spirits and Ready to Drink ( RTD) volumes grew 17 percent and 41 percent respectively. The growth in these categories was curtailed by supply constraints caused by glass pack shortages in the region.
Afdis however is benefiting from the foreign currency trades which are boosting liquidity for the company making it easier to fund external supplies of raw materials and capital equipment.