From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, this is the Real Economy Report.

Sashnee Moodley:

Tiger Brands’ beverage business, which produces some of South Africa’s signature brands such as Oros, Energade and Rose’s, has been focused on expanding its market share and growing its offering in new markets. The company recently hosted a media tour at one of its manufacturing sites, which Marleny Arnoldi attended.

Marleny Arnoldi:

Tiger Brands’ beverage manufacturing facility in Roodekop, Germiston has been producing millions of litres a month of its well-known brands in pre-mix and ready-to-drink formats since 2001.

The company has, however, recognised that the timing is apt to enter new markets, including the carbonated mixer market and the energy drinks market, which saw the company launching its Rose’s carbonated mixers and energy drink called Boost, in October.

Tiger Brands also started producing a “zero” Energade variant, which is free from added sugar, in September.

Tiger Brands beverages MD Ismail Nanabhay unpacks the growth opportunities for the beverage business and latest product launches.

Tiger Brands beverages MD Ismail Nanabhay:

Marleny Arnoldi:

The company has been investing heavily into its existing production lines at the Roodekop beverage manufacturing facility, in Germiston, with some production lines being fully and semi-automated. For example, the facility’s fully automated Energade production line produces about 30 000 bottles an hour.

Next, the company plans to invest more than R20-million on expanding its raw materials storage warehouse.

Tiger Brands will also install solar power at the facility early in the new year, as part of a broader Tiger Brands group solar rollout programme at 35 of its manufacturing sites across South Africa.

The company’s investments have paid off in that the beverage business recorded a 7.4% compound annual growth rate between 2017 and 2021. Nanabhay tells us more.

Tiger Brands beverages MD Ismail Nanabhay:

Sashnee Moodley:

That’s Creamer Media’s Real Economy Report. Join us again next week for more news and insight into South Africa’s real economy. Don’t forget to listen to the audio version of our Engineering News daily email newsletter.