The Sunday News
Online Business Reporter
BEVERAGE maker Delta Corporation on Thursday commissioned its Chibuku Fairbridge Brewery in Umguza which will see the company boosting its sorghum beer production by an additional 1 million hectoliters per year.
Combined output for the company’s growing Chubuku Super will now reach 3 million hectoliters per annum since it was already producing 2 million hectoliters from its Chitungwiza Brewery.
The Fairbridge project, undertaken at an estimated cost of $22 million is comprised of three main capital projects, all aimed at improving production of Chibuku Super and helping Bulawayo and Umguza local authorities.
The projects involved the expansion and modernisation of the Fairbridge Sorghum beer brewery, the installation of a state of the art PET bottle blowing and filling plant and the construction of a seven kilometre Umguza to Bulawayo effluent line.
The packaging plant which was acquired from Germany has a capacity to run at 15 000 bottles an hour or 1 million hectoliters per annum.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of State in his office during the commissioning, Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko applauded the beverage maker adding that Government was cognisant of the tremendous benefits that accrue from such investments.
He urged other corporates to invest in Bulawayo and said a lead by local companies in investing would boost confidence even among those from outside.
“I urge other corporates to show confidence in the economy, so that other local and foreign investors are motivated to invest in our country,” he said.
Delta Corporation board chairman Mr Canan Dube said the investment by his company was bold and massive move by the company at a time when most companies were sneezing due to economic challenges.
He said the new plant will serve the southern parts of the country which comprises, Midlands, Masvingo, Matabeleland North and South.