Unilever commits to Zim with new packing line

MULTINATIONAL consumer goods company, Unilever, says it is committed to remain in Zimbabwe after the firm yesterday commissioned a $500 000 high-tech packing line at its refurbished factory in Harare.

Unilever Africa president, Bruno Witvoet, said the company has a long and proud history in Zimbabwe, manufacturing iconic brands such as Omo, Geisha, Royco and Sunlight for the past 75 years.
He added that the latest investment – the high speed packaging Laudenberg machine – reflects Unilever’s optimism about the country’s economic prospects and the possibilities the future holds.
“This is about far more than adding a state-of-the-art foods factory to our operations, it is about providing affordable and tasty food to millions of Zimbabweans and building a bright future for Zimbabwe,” he said.
Witvoet noted that the London and Netherlands co-headquartered firm remained in Zimbabwe during the country’s difficult times serving its consumers and supporting jobs across the country in marketing, distributing and trading.
“We have a long term business and already invested $8 million over recent years, so we are ready to begin rebuilding the economy and improving the lives of the Zimbabwean people,” he said.
He indicated the new plant will not only improve Royco production from the current 13 tonnes per day to 17 tonnes, but will also reduce imports from Kenya.
Witvoet said the additional capacity will have a multiplier effect in the local economy, replacing imported products and increasing the opportunity to purchase local materials such as packaging and spices. Royco Usavi Mix has been in Zimbabwe since 1947, and is currently found in about 1,5 million households in the country.
Industry Minister Mike Bimha, who was guest of honour at the event, commended the multinational company for heeding the call by government to retool the industry to earn foreign currency and create jobs.
“President Emmerson Mnangagwa has consistently said Zimbabwe is open for business and what Unilever has done is testimony to this assertion. Government is committed to create a conducive environment that allows the private sector to take a leading role in industrialisation,” he said.
“I want to challenge the Unilever management to make Zimbabwe a regional manufacturing hub so that the country can generate much-needed foreign currency through exports and creating jobs,” he added.
Unilever’s Zimbabwe unit works with all the major supermarkets chains as well as distributors who support many thousands of small traders across the country.
The consumer goods company already works with 150 local companies to procure goods and services and intends to develop more local sourcing as the firm grows.
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