KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance, Ms Ina Cronjé officially opened the new Unilever Foodsolutions Factory in Willowton, Pietermaritzburg today.
The factory, previously situated in Phoenix north of Durban, is South Africa's new manufacturing base of all syrups, sauces, salad dressings, fast food chains' mixtures, salts and ice cream toppings. These include the Knorr range, Mrs. Balls, Hellmann's, Better Fresh and Carte D'or. The factory produces a selection of sauces, spreads and syrups for customers such as KFC and McDonalds.
"The opening of the Unilever Food factory in Pietermaritzburg is very welcome news. Job-creating initiatives are desperately needed to create jobs, for people who are currently unemployed, as well as the influx of unemployed migrants" said Cronjé.
More than 70 new employees have been recruited from the Pietermaritzburg area to join the factory which is owned by Unilever and is 18 509 square/metres in extent. The total cost for relocation of equipment, upgrading the existing building and infrastructure was R23 million.
Cronje said that "We all know that local is lekker. But local is now extra lekker knowing that Mrs Balls chutney is manufactured right under our noses. Very soon, with the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup knocking at our doors, not only South Africans and experts will be craving for our heritage foods. Tourists will certainly sample our local favourites - bobotie, bunny chows, koeksisters, boerewors and chakalaka all with their authentic spices, herbs and mixtures. They will also eat at our fast food outlets, in our restaurants and hotels, using ingredients that are manufactured in Pietermaritzburg," she said.
The factory is set on two floors, the first being the mixing area and the ground floor is used for packing. The factory's close proximity to the Unilever tea plant provides the benefit of shared warehousing facilities and logistics infrastructure.
The decision to relocate to Pietermarizburg was a cost-saving initiative. The Unilever tea factory is situated in Pietermaritzburg and there was vacant building space on the site. By moving the Foodsolutions Factory to Pietermaritzburg, it is possible to optimise shared resources such as bulk services, management, infrastructure etc.
Today Unilever Foodsolutions is one of the world's leading global foodservice businesses, working with customers like caterers, restaurateurs, major hotel and fast-food chains to create food solutions that help grow their business.
"Unilever Foodsolutions has made a wise choice. We congratulate them on what they have achieved here and wish them all the success with this endeavour," said Cronjé
For more information, contact:
Ntokozo Maphisa
Cell: 071 687 8777
Yogin Devan
Cell: 083 326 3962
Issued by: Provincial Treasury, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
29 October 2009
