Dendairy set to expand production

Kwekwe-based dairy producer, Dendairy, is set to commission three new packaging lines as part of an ongoing expansion programme. The company has been undergoing an expansion exercise with an aim of doubling its production in the first half of the year and the commissioning of the new packaging lines will be a step in the right direction.

In an interview, the company’s director Mr Darryl Archibald said they were putting final touches to the machinery before its commissioning.

“We are set to commission three new lines very soon, we are waiting for a couple of parts that are needed to complete the assembling,” said Mr Archibald. “The equipment is already on site, but due to the current economic challenges, we could not complete it in time.”

Mr Archibald said despite the commissioning being delayed by two months, the company was not giving up, adding the Government should be commented for pulling all stops in trying to resolve economic challenges.

“We are committed and will continue planning so that we get the new lines running,” he said. “It’s really difficult because every day you wake up to a new challenge. We would have wanted to close in and wind up the assembling of the new lines, but we are trying to close it off.

“The President’s open for business stance is correct, there are just one or two things that need to be solved.”

Mr Archibald said the company was using geographical location advantage to create partnerships with dairy farmers, a move which has started paying dividends.

“In the Midlands, we enjoy the geographical advantage,” he said. “For example, we have formed partnerships with dairy farmers.

Dairy farmers in the Midlands are getting stronger through the partnership, they have increased by 20 percent as they have access to grazing areas, which in turn benefit everyone.”

Mr Archibald said the company’s objective, like any other business was not to make profit.

“Being in Kwekwe, in the Midlands, gives us an advantage over our competitors who are in Harare,” he said. “We have access to clean water from the council and we also have good deals with our dairy farmers.”

Mr Archibald urged Government to solve the currency issue which he said was a stumbling block to economic recovery plans.

“The rest of the things are good, but the currency problem is the only challenge that needs to be sorted out and everything will be fine,” he said.