R20m investment in producing that valued commodity: chocolate

One of South Africa’s major sweet and sweet brands, Richester Meals, has invested R20 million in new chocolate production amenities at its manufacturing facility in Centurion in Gauteng.

The proprietor-managed personal firm that started in 2005 presently creates an considerable variety of confectionery – together with chewy and tricky-boiled sweets, toffees, eclairs, lollipops, bubblegum, chewing gum, ball gum, marshmallows and sherbet – and describes alone as having grow to be “one of the most important players in the sweet current market in Africa”.

It launched a regionally produced chocolate termed Coco Bongo, costing just R2.50 per 21g bar (the exact excess weight as a Chomp or Bar 1 Mini), in January – and has now marketed more than 50 % a million bars.

The Coco Bongo bar is manufactured of milk chocolate and has a creamy centre. Impression: Provided

The firm aims to grow its generation capability to 20 million Coco Bongo bars per thirty day period in excess of the subsequent two several years.

This is predicted to see the manufacturing facility use an further 150 employees to its existing staff.

Richester Food items proprietor and MD Dr Hussein Cassim states the affordable rate tag of the Coco Bongo chocolate bar will improve profits along the worth chain, which include for several enterprises, spaza retailers and smaller distributors.

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“We’ve reverse-engineered the cost tag to guarantee that our shoppers are capable to make up to 100% revenue, while concurrently marketing Coco Bongo at a highly affordable cost for consumers,” he states.

“Rather than inquiring people to preserve for days or weeks for luxurious candies, we want Coco Bongo to be section of consumer’s every day life.”

Swiss enter, African components

He suggests the chocolate bar, which options milk chocolate and a creamy centre, is the end result of exploration and international consultations with “chocolate masters” from Switzerland.

The bars are built from cocoa largely purchased from farmers in Africa while other ingredients are regionally sourced.

“This is a place of pride for Richester Foods,” claims Cassim.

“As a proudly South African organization, we want to enjoy a meaningful purpose in occupation development, and we never want to count on other nations to supply our item substances.”

The producer now employs an additional 50 complete-time staff members in its new chocolate division, which attributes in-property chillers and chilly storage amenities as very well as laboratories for item testing.

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“There is rigid competitors from entrenched manufacturers, but we have the gain in terms of comprehension community tastes and palates, which we’ve incorporated into Coco Bongo,” states Cassim.

“Going ahead, we also hope to capitalise on sector alternatives in neighbouring countries to develop our footprint and market share.”

“Ultimately, we think that the chocolate current market offers massive growth possible, with major opportunity for unlocking company and work alternatives throughout price chains,” he adds.

Nondumiso Lehutso is a Moneyweb intern.