Bolux expands production lines
Bolux Group, one of the country’s large maize and wheat milling company has expanded its confectionery and maize and sorghum instant porridge lines ahead of export plans. With an investment of P58 million, the company has established a new instant maize and sorghum porridge lines and a new confectionery for both fresh and frozen products such as croissants, tortilla, muffins, cakes and biscuits.
According to Bolux Managing Director, Melinda Jacobs, the company keeps investing to stay relevant in the market and spends approximately P100 million annual in infrastructure and equipment, to make sure the company is not left behind. In addition, the company spends over P2 million annually in upskilling. Jacobs said this year’s investment reflects long-term confidence in the local market and an ambition to continue growing both locally and across the region.
“By expanding our capabilities, creating new jobs and producing more products locally, we are strengthening national food security while positioning Botswana as a competitive manufacturing hub capable of serving regional and international markets,” said Jacobs.
So far, the company has spent P18 on the confectionery line and P40 million for the instant porridge line. “We are currently in discussion in the DRC, Zimbabwe, Namibia, as well as Swaziland on our instant porridges, because there is definitely an opportunity. And I am 100 percent confident that our products can compete with any other product out there,” said Jacobs. Meanwhile, the Bolux Group has expressed an interest to support local commercial farmers to scale up production and utilise the company’s 250 tonnes per maize mill and the 350 tonnes per day wheat mill. “Currently we take up everything that is produced locally at the correct quality, correct standard and at the agreed price,” said Jacobs citing local produce is 10 percent of the local demand from millers.
Jacobs is firmly convinced that there is lot of opportunities in the agronomic sector, indicating the company signs off-take agreements with farmers and is willing to bring expertise to assist farmers. Bolux Group’s confidence is attributed to the company being certified under the FSCC 22000 Version 6.0, a certification systems audited by German certification body, ensuring compliance with global food manufacturing standards and positioning the company to export products to markets across Europe, North America, Asia and beyond. Currently, the P800 million facility employs more than 750 employees and develops technical skills across engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, logistics and food production. Meanwhile, the company supplies a wide range of products to households, leading fast-food outlets and retailers.