Clover recently launched its “state of the art” milk processing plant in Perseverance, between Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage. The facility, the first of its kind in the Eastern Cape, will produce fresh and long-life UHT milk.
“ The occasion marks investment of R80-million to date by Clover in the region and is a firm indication of our desire to participate in a competitive, fast-growing regional economy. The construction of the modern facility is an important strategic move,” said Clover chief executive Johann Vorster at the official launch of the new plant. H e said in 2006 the company had adopted a new alignment strategy, a key objective of which was to position Clover factories closer to the raw milk source.
V orster said the idea of the plant had been in the pipeline for eight years and last year’s decision to build it was in line with this new strategy. proximity of the plant to the source will help Eastern Cape farmers reduce their transport costs. “This not only paves the way for future business needs, but also saves costs as we are now able to process milk locally, thereby eliminating costly raw milk transportation fees.” Vorster said the hi-tech production facility was geared to benefit from economies of scale through optimal utilisation of manufacturing infrastructure. L onger shelf life and improved stock supply were the two main advantages local production offered consumers, while job creation and expansion possibilities would have spin-offs for the local community.
“Eastern Cape is South Africa’s second largest dairy-producing province, while Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan area is a region of vibrant growth and opportunity that has emerged in surveys as the most optimistic industrial area in South Africa. The new plant is just the beginning of our plans for the region,” said Vorster. – Nicky Rehbock
