Published: 14 November 2013

ZIMBABWE Stock Exchange-listed Delta Beverages is going to construct a $8 million line for its Chibuku Super brand as the company looks set to maintain its dominance on the local market.

The plant is scheduled to be commissioned next year in April. In an interview yesterday, Delta's chief executive Mr Pearson Gowero said the company was in the process of coming up with initiatives to boost volumes to meet the demand of the Chibuku Super brand on the local market.

"We have already purchased a production line for Chibuku Super brand because we have received enormous response from the market. As we speak the line is being shipped into the country and some construction work is underway at our Chitungwiza plant," he said.

He also said they are in the process of replacing old fermentation vessels with new ones as the company wants to continue increasing capacity utilisation.

"Delta Beverages Southerton Lagers brewery is currently in the process of replacing old fermentation vessels with new ones.

"Enormous aluminium tanks used to ferment beer and the latest addition of fermentation vessels at the Southerton brewery will significantly increase the brewery's production capacity," he said.

He said Delta has since 2009 been on a recapitalisation drive, adding that the new machinery and technology will significantly improve production and eliminate the current intermittent shortages of some products.

"We are currently installing the latest technology on all our manufacturing plants in the country, and through this we hope to maintain our market dominance," he added.

Last year the beverages manufacturing company said it had spent $2,5 million on the fermentation vessels. The replacement of old fermentation vessels was set to boost the output of beer by an additional 52 000 hectolitres per month with annual output projected to rise by a considerable 640 000 hectolitres.

According to Delta the vessels are being sourced from Holvrieka Ido, a Netherlands-based company recognised as the world's largest tank manufacturer.

These new tanks are specifically engineered to operate in a manner that minimises disruption to the environment as they are fully automated.
- herald

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