President commissions three state of the art plants at Delta Beverages

President commissions three state of the art plants at Delta Beverages

Nevanji Munyaradzi Chiondegwa

The USD169 million sunk by Delta Beverages in modernising its manufacturing and bottling plants, distribution fleet, cold drink equipment, and ancillary systems demonstrates the confidence of payers in the manufacturing industry in the business-friendly policies ushered in by the Second Republic.

These sentiments were said by President ED Mnangagwa as he was officially commissioning Delta Beverages’ three plants namely the Sparkling Beverages Plant at Granite, the Harare Chibuku Brewery at Southerton, and the Lagers Manufacturing Plant, again along Plymouth Road in Southerton.

President Mnangagwa said, “This investment by Delta Corporation, which has been operating in the country for 125 years, demonstrates the confidence of players in the manufacturing industry in the business-friendly policies being ushered in by the Second Republic.  Your commitment and resilience in the food and beverages sector is commendable.”

The state-of-the-art PET Bottling line for the Sparkling Beverages, which was commissioned at Graniteside Coke Corner, is part of a strategic recapitalisation plan for the business and will along with the other two plants see Delta Beverages increasing its capacity utilisation and guaranteeing supply to its loyal customers

President Mnangagwa said that he is enthused that Delta Corporation is a key player in the Zimbabwean economy, employing around 5 000 people directly and many more indirectly as well as contributing significantly to the fiscus through excise duty, value-added tax, income tax, and PAYE.  This is a clear testimony of the important role being played by the organisation in economic development through its out-grower programmes.

“The Second Republic values this and Delta’s relationship with farmers in their supply chain, who provide feedstock for their production processes.  I urge you to continue integrating marginalised communities in your value chain through your out-grower programme,” said President Mnangagwa.

He urged Delta Beverages to continue to complementing Government efforts in enhancing production and productivity in the agriculture sector by increasing its contract farming arrangements with local farmers. Delta Beverages provides farmers with inputs, extension services and, in deserving cases, capital expenditure funding, with a focus to improve yields, uniformity of varieties and good agronomic practices. This should see it increasing hectarage under barley, sorghum, and other critical ingredients to not only meet its requirements but those of the export market.

He added that Delta Beverages should not only concentrate on its feedstock but extend the contract farming arrangements to also cover maize, which ensures that the contracted farmers remain productive throughout the year. President Mnangagwa said that he hoped more companies in the productive sectors will adopt the contracting model to complement the various Government farming programmes currently in place.

“Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo.  In this regard, the Second Republic will continue playing a supportive role of creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and maximise stakeholder and shareholder objectives as we build our country brick by brick, stone upon stone,” President Mnangagwa said.