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At present PET packaging of the company’s products is done at the company’s Graniteside plant in Harare.
Responding to questions from Business Chronicle, Delta Beverages Director of Corporate affairs Mr George Mutendadzamera said the machinery was acquired from Europe.
“The new heavy machinery was acquired from KHS of Germany at a cost of $8 million.
“Delta Corporation is currently installing a new PET bottle blow moulding and soft drinks filling line at the resuscitated Delta Sparkling Beverages Plant along Bon Accord Road in Westondale Industrial Area of Bulawayo,” said Mr Mutendadzamera.
He said the new machine was a single production line that would bottle soft drinks in PET plastic bottles comprising interlink units that will be blending, filling, labelling and packaging.
“It has a rated capacity to run 15 000 bottles per hour in 300 and 500ml volumes. It also has capacity to run 1 000ml and 2 000ml bottles at 14 500 bottles per hour and 12 000 bottles per hour respectively,” he said.
Mr Mutendadzamera said the additional machinery was going to improve supply of sparkling beverages in 500ml, 1 litre and 2 litre PET across the country, a move that is aimed at building the company’s capacity and enable the plant to meet growing market demand and changing consumer tastes and needs.
He said other recapitalisation projects under way were installation of two fermentation vessels at Belmont Plant at a cost of $856 000.
“This investment saw a 20 percent improvement in capacity in terms of product availability as the plant can now package 75 000 hectolitres of beverages from 60 000 hectolitres per month.
“Six similar vessels were installed at Southerton Lagers Manufacturing plant at a cost of $2,5 million. A new candle beer filter plant worth $1,3 million has been installed at the Belmont Plant.
This equipment will enhance beer quality in flavour and quality,” he said.
derick.khumalo