Savanna commissions new machine

commissioned a new 10-pack machine.
In his statement at the launch, com­pany executive chairman Mr Adam Molai was naturally thrilled at the new acquisition, which he said was going to position Savanna favourably in the mar­ket.
“This machine seeks to fill the void existing in the local market as well as the African market.
“Our importation of the 10-pack machine, as well as the importation of the current machine is in response to our African research findings that informed us of the spending dynam­ics of consumers in Africa,” said Mr Molai.
He added that with the new acquisition the company was slowly angling towards the international market.
“Following the successful launch of the 10-pack machine, the success of the brand on the market after only two months of launching the product and increased sales on our traditional 20 pack brands, we are now preparing ourselves for Africa,” said Mr Molai.
He said his company was also seeking to give real value for money to African consumers, whom he said had in the past been subjected to sub-standard products.
“We are taking it upon ourselves to bring dignity to our African consumers who for years have been relegated to hav­ing to purchase unpackaged cigarettes at street corners owing to low incomes.
“This has exposed them to such scourges as typhoid and cholera, among other ills and this is what we are                          seeking to end,” said the executive chairman.
The company also took the opportu­nity to urge Government to forge ahead with the indigenisation plans since multi-national companies were bent on                 profiteering at the expense of local con­sumers.
“During the very difficult economic period in Zimbabwe, multinationals, in a show of protest, withdrew their ciga­rettes from the market, and it was during these difficult times that Savanna Tobacco came to rescue the cigarette industry from near extinction. With the coming in of dollarisation, the multinationals woke up to resume production.
“Clearly shown by these developments is the reality that African governments need to support indigenous business that will stand with the economies through thick and thin,” said Mr Molai.