Online Reporter
Judith Phiri,Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu has commended the US$11 million state-of-the-art Profeeds Bulawayo plant for advanced technologies and automation that have ensured they increase their manufacturing capabilities.
Coupled with cutting-edge machinery, this has solidified Profeeds’ position as a top animal feed producer in Zimbabwe.
In an interview after the tour of the facility on Thursday, the Minister said that such an investment was key to the re-industrialisation drive of Bulawayo and the country.
“Under the industrialisation and re-industrialisation of Zimbabwe taking place under the Second Republic, we have witnessed remarkable investment that has gone into retooling and bringing the latest technologies right across the manufacturing sector,” he said.
“When l was touring the plant, we witnessed how advanced automation and technologies have increased their production capabilities; however, it is also impressive to see they still have a human touch on packing, that’s how automated they are.”
He said it was quite refreshing to see such an investment in Bulawayo, which has taken place over the last three years by Profeeds.
Minister Ndlovu said this was in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision in agriculture which has resulted in performance growth and inspired investment into agro-processing.
“The country has been witnessing numerous investments into agro-processing and with the coming in of the Profeeds Bulawayo plant, it is driving down substantially the price of stock feed,” he added.
“Competitors are also reducing their prices, which shows there is healthy competition. I’m also happy that we have been able to support investments duty free imports of equipment under the facilities that we support our private sector with.”
The highly technological plant has over 150 employees and capacity of 7 500 metric tonnes of finished product. Another US$1 million is set to be invested in the plant by the end of October to extend its warehousing capacity.
