AECI opens a state-of-the-art Dairy Application Centre in Cape Town
A state-of-the-art Dairy Application Centre (DAC) was opened by Lake Foods, a business of AECI’s Food & Beverage strategic growth pillar, in partnership with its dairy ingredients supplier of 25 years, Chr. Hansen, the global bioscience company based in Copenhagen, Denmark. The opening took place in Cape Town during March.
According to Euromonitor, the dairy industry in South Africa alone has an annual revenue of R65 billion and is growing, underpinning the significant opportunity for the DAC now and in the future. The Managing Director of Lake Foods, Roger Falck, said that the DAC will provide a platform for new product development and the production of concept samples, as well as technical support and training to dairy processors. “By providing the complete offering, Lake Foods will develop its market share in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Other benefits are:
• Localised expertise and ingredients
• Recipe and process support
• Reduced cost and risk of new product development
• Improved speed to market
• Development of world-class industry know-how on the Continent
Mirroring Falck’s positivity, the Chairman of Lake Foods and a member of the AECI Executive, Dean Murray, added that AECI’s investment in the facility is indicative of the Group’s confidence in, and commitment to, its Food & Beverage pillar.
The DAC is equipped with custom-designed Chr. Hansen processing equipment, enabling the controlled simulation of factory conditions. A technical resource has also been appointed by Chr. Hansen.
The Executive Vice President of the European, Middle Eastern, African and North American regions and a member of the Chr. Hansen executive board and corporate leadership team, Jacob Vishof Paulsen, said that the company and Lake Foods share the same philosophy and values such as customer-centricity and innovation. Chr. Hansen is the most sustainable company in the world. This follows the release of the Global 100 Index by Canadian-based advisory firm, Corporate Knights, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January.
During the opening programme, a range of sample concepts were available for tasting:
• “It’s time for Africa”, an ambient stable stirred yoghurt with a six-month shelf-life
• “Here’s to Health”, a range of healthier solutions such as reduced sugar and the inclusion of probiotics with a specific focus on LGG®, the world’s best-documented probiotic strain
• “Lake Foods Pop-Up Shop”, featuring a high-protein Greek-style yoghurt and a creamy dessert-type yoghurt
AECI’s Food & Beverage pillar includes:
• Lake Foods, a manufacturer and supplier of specialty ingredients for bakery, dairy, health & nutrition, and meat & poultry applications. Its two divisions are Afoodable, a manufacturer and supplier of bulk marinades and sauces, and Infigro, a manufacturer and supplier of filter aids
• Southern Canned Products (SCP), a manufacturer and supplier of juice-based drinks and products, including emulsions, formulated compounds and fruit concentrate blends
The day before the DAC opening, AECI Food & Beverage opened SCP’s new warehouse and distribution facility, also in Cape Town. The 8,000m2 facility includes chilled and frozen rooms.
