Afdis seeks to lower alcohol prices

Markets
AFRICAN Distillers (Afdis) Limited says the recent installation of a new $5 million packaging plant in Harare will help reduce imports of alcoholic beverages and lower prices.
Affdis
From left: Afdis general manager Cecil Gombera, marketing manager Donna Marowa and regional manager Nhlompeng Ncube join guests to watch a clip of the Harare Afdis commissioning of a new plant.

AFRICAN Distillers (Afdis) Limited says the recent installation of a new $5 million packaging plant in Harare will help reduce imports of alcoholic beverages and lower prices.

Luyanduhlobo Makwati Own correspondent

The new investment has resulted in the business installed annual production capacity improving from 34 million litres to 54 million litres.

The plant produces 4 200 litres per hour, an improvement from the old lines that were producing 1 300 litres per hour Afdis has been importing alcoholic beverages such as ciders from South Africa which resulted in increased prices for local customers.

Cecil Gombera, the Afdis general manager told Southern Eye Business on the sidelines of a function to celebrate the installation of the Harare packaging line in Bulawayo on Friday that the company’s products were now affordable.

“It is basic knowledge that we have reduced on the transportation costs, duty and tax,” he said.

“The fact that we are making thes products here will see our customers smiling all the way to the shops as they will be going to purchase our products at an affordable price.”

Gombera said Afdis was working hard to create more jobs in the country rather exporting them to neighbouring countries.

He said the company was on the road to recovery after taking a knock from the harsh economic environment in the country.

“I am happy that in our first financial quarter, Afdis as a company witnessed growth and profitability and in January we will be posting our half year results,” he said.

“I am confident that the company will continue doing well as we thrive to provide services to our esteemed customers.”

Gombera said Afdis was planning to spread its tentacles into the Southern African Development Community and East Africa.