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

Sashnee Moodley:

Africa’s largest food processing company, Tiger Brands, has unveiled a new peanut butter manufacturing facility for its Black Cat brand in Krugersdorp, which marks the single-largest capital investment that Tiger Brands has undertaken in South Africa. Marleny Arnoldi visited the site.

Marleny Arnoldi:

Having moved from its prior facility in Randfontein, Tiger Brands invested R300-million in a new facility that offers more space, increased peanut processing capability and better research and development capability to improve its products.

The facility produces an average one-million jars of peanut butter a month, which includes its mainstream peanut butter variety that contains 91% peanuts, sugar, salt and stabiliser, as well as its no added sugar and no added salt variety, which contains 99% peanuts.

The company procures between 10 000 t and 20 000 t of ground nuts every year, with about 70% of these nuts being sourced locally.

Tiger Brands culinary MD Dumo Mfini explains the company ensured uninterrupted production throughout the move. He tells us more about the facility’s increased capabilities for research, flexible packaging and peanut processing.

Tiger Brands culinary MD Dumo Mfini…

Marleny Arnoldi:

Black Cat peanut butter was first launched in 1926 and has grown to be one of the best-selling brands in the market with five-million kilograms sold every year in formal retail stores. 

With consumers wanting more affordable and healthier food options, Tiger Brands plans to tweak its peanut butter recipe and packaging to ensure the best price point for consumers.

Tiger Brands CEO Tjaart Kruger explains the groupwide drive to make products more affordable.

Tiger Brands CEO Tjaart Kruger…

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.