HARARE (FinX) – Nestlé East & Southern Africa Region (ESAR) has announced its decision to divest its NESTLÉ CREMORA business, a creamer brand that has been a staple in South African households for over 77 years.
NESTLÉ CREMORA is currently manufactured in South Africa across two facilities located in South Africa (Babelegi and Potchefstroom) as well as Harare, Zimbabwe. Its distribution spans across the East and Southern Africa Region, excluding countries in the East and Horn of Africa. This decision will impact operations in Harare, where production of CREMORA will cease, and focus will shift to brands such as NESTLÉ EVERYDAY and NESTLÉ CEREVITA.
This strategic realignment will ensure the Harare facility remains an integral part of Nestlé’s efforts to drive future investments and sustainable development within Zimbabwe.
In a statement Nestlé reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the region’s economic development by evolving its business model to stay competitive and sustainable.
The group said following a meticulous evaluation process, Nestlé has decided to sell the NESTLÉ CREMORA business to Lactalis South Africa (SA) pending regulatory approval.
Lactalis is a 90-year multinational food company. In South Africa, the company is home to quality and trusted brands such as Président, Parmalat, Melrose, Steri Stumpie and Bonnita; with operations in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal.
Commenting on this strategic move, Nestlé’s Head: External Communications, Mota Mota stated, “this decision was reached after considering various factors and was not taken lightly. We believe that CREMORA is in good hands with Lactalis SA – a leading food company known for its expertise and commitment to excellence. This transition is in the best interests of our business, employees, customers, partners, and consumers, ensuring that CREMORA continues to thrive and deliver quality products under new ownership.
Mota said no jobs would be impacted in Zimbabwe or South Africa by the transaction, which will need competition authority approval. “As we embark on this transition period, the welfare of our employees remains a top priority, with assurances that job security, remuneration, and benefits will remain unaffected. We express our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated workforce for their hard work and commitment in building NESTLÉ CREMORA into the household name it is today,”
Commenting on the acquisition, Lactalis SA’s General Manager, Herman Janse van Rensburg said: “We are excited to welcome this iconic brand to Lactalis South Africa. This move aligns with our strategy of innovation and diversification of our product offering to cater to local consumer preferences. Furthermore, we look forward to welcoming our new colleagues to the Lactalis SA family as we continue to build on the rich heritage of CREMORA together to ensure seamless continuity for customers and consumers.”
