Lobel’s set to open more retail outlets

The equipment will be used in Lobel’s second production line in Bulawayo that has the capacity to produce another 60 000 loaves of bread.

Delays in shipment of parts affected the commissioning of the production line.

The company has missed the commissioning deadline twice this year as the installation was targeted for February before being pushed to April.

“Part of the equipment that we have been waiting for is in the country and I am on my way to Harare for the consignment. You can contact me next week for further details,” said Lobel’s managing director, Mr Ngoni Mazango in a telephone interview yesterday.

The equipment comes at a time when the confectioner and bread maker was strategically positioning itself for a bigger capacity following the opening of one of its retail outlets in Bulawayo’s central business district a few weeks ago.

The firm has also set its sights on an expansion drive that will see the opening of three retail outlets in Bulawayo before the end of the year, a development expected to increase its shops in the city to 10.

Plans are also in the pipeline to roll out retail outlets to other cities and towns.

The commissioning of the second production plant is one of the company’s major projects to increase output.

In the past few years, Lobel’s, as part of its growth strategy has been rolling out retail outlets resulting in the creation of employment.

The company employs 450 workers.

Lobel’s began its operations in Zimbabwe between the late 1940s and early 1950s when it was run by the Lobel brothers.

In 2002, a consortium of local entrepreneurs partnered and bought Lobel’s Bread in Harare and Bulawayo.