TIGER Brands has officially opened its new, state-of-the-art Oat Mill for its first and oldest product – Jungle Oats – in Maitland, Cape Town.
Speaking at the opening event unit manager, Rees De Villiers outlined some of the innovative features. “With this state-of-the-art building and technology, the new mill has increased efficiencies and significantly improved output. Notwithstanding this, however, the overall carbon footprint has actually been reduced through the installation of higher-efficiency motors which reduce the energy input per ton.”
A total capital investment of R208 million was made to the manufacturing site in the Western Cape. Socio-economic benefits of the new Mill include investment in oat farmers. The company has invested in 10 black South African farmers through its Smallholder Farmer Programme in the Western Cape who will in 2020 plant 100 hectares of oats.
The unveiling of Jungle Oats’ new mill coincides with a major milestone – its 100th anniversary. While a lot has changed since being launched as Tiger Brand’s very first product offering – “Tiger Oats” – back in 1920, marketing director Lee-Anne Govender notes that the goodness of oats has remained consistently the same.
“The way in which we process our oats sets Jungle Oats apart from competitors, including international competitors. Interestingly, the original campaign of ‘Tiger Oats’ was ‘Health is Wealth’.
“This year, we celebrate 100 years of “Doing Life with Heart”. Heart wellness continues to be a distinct benefit of Jungle Oats, given its beta-glucan content, and Jungle remains committed to promoting this message across South Africa,” Govender concludes.
