Futurelife, a health foods producer based in South Africa and fully owned by PepsiCo South Africa, opens its new manufacturing plant situated within the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
The new factory near the airport Is designed to make production more efficient and flexible, so they can better serve their customers. They also have a special place to create new products.
Mark Bunn, the Vice President of Commercial at PepsiCo South Africa and former Managing Director of Futurelife, stated during the factory’s launch on October 5, “The new factory reflects our commitment to making a positive impact on the local community and the broader economy.”
“The consolidation of our operations is aimed at strengthening our ability to maintain the production of top-quality products,” he explained.
PepsiCo South Africa CEO Riaan Heyl mentioned that the upcoming Phase 2 will involve investing in a range of sustainability efforts in the next 18 months, which include generating solar power through photovoltaic systems and setting up infrastructure for collecting rainwater. These sustainability initiatives are part of the overall R75-million investment.
In Phase 2, Futurelife will utilize the factory’s 8,500 square meters of roof space for solar energy generation by integrating solar systems into its operations. Additionally, rainwater collection will contribute to the factory’s environmentally-friendly water practices.
Construction cost for the manufacturing plant in Dube TradePort
Mike Dos Santos, the General Manager of Futurelife, explained that the R75-million investment in moving their operations from Pinetown to the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which is the first phase of a series of planned investments, allowed Futurelife to acquire advanced machinery and equipment, ensuring higher standards of operation at the factory.
The guests present at the factory opening included important figures like Siboniso Duma, who serves as the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, and Hamish Erskine, the CEO of Dube TradePort.
During the ceremony, Duma highlighted the factory’s significant role in promoting sustainable economic development in KwaZulu-Natal. He commended the collaborative effort of Futurelife’s management and staff, along with Dube TradePort, in achieving this milestone. He emphasized the successful adoption of state-of-the-art technologies and adhering to the project schedule.
Futurelife’s initial product, the Futurelife Smart Food, which serves as their flagship offering, was created as a scientifically designed, well-balanced, nutritious, and convenient food. It includes an ingredient called Moducare, which is a daily immune supplement derived from a patented combination of plant sterols and sterolins.
Duma further emphasized that realizing the province’s full potential and fulfilling the government’s commitment to improving the lives of all South Africans required increased investment in the region.
“We’re not just putting money into a factory; we’re investing in a vision that has guided us from the start,” Bunn remarked.
Heyl chimed in, saying, “With Futurelife, we’re offering consumers distinctive and nutritious products, and this new manufacturing facility in KwaZulu-Natal aligns with our objective of advancing skills development and fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces.”
He also noted that the launch of the new factory is in harmony with the government’s vision for driving economic growth in South Africa, especially in the manufacturing sector and Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
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