Deputy Minister Mathale unveils The Twinsaver Group’s R500m tissue manufacturing facility

by | May 24, 2018

The Twinsaver Group is now the largest tissue manufacturer in sub-Saharan Africa

First-to-market technology accelerates business development and diversification strategy

“It is heartening to see our 18-month journey culminate in this momentous occasion, which also marks a new expansion phase for our business. I am exceptionally proud of my team who collaborated successfully and worked tirelessly over the past few years to conceptualise and source some of the best technologies available globally. I wish to congratulate them for successfully undertaking what was a mammoth installation project,”says Garth Towell, CEO at the Twinsaver Group.

Commenting on the achievements across the group, Ethos Private Equity partner and TSG Chairman, Richard Fienberg, said; “The Twinsaver Group is an excellent example of a future-fit business. It has been on an accelerated development journey over the past three years and we, at Ethos Private Equity, are very impressed by the progress made. Operating in a tough economic climate, the investment in people, resources, products and customers is already delivering dividends. We believe this will further support the achievement of The Twinsaver Group’s ambitious business advancement strategy.”

With income from exports, which currently sits at more than R1 trillion1, identified as a key economic growth driver for South Africa, the increased capacity will enable TSG to continue to access new markets and better service the needs of neighbouring SADC countries. The increased capacity also establishes TSG as the largest manufacturer of tissue in sub-Saharan Africa.

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Mr Cassel Mathale, commented; “Manufacturing in sub-Saharan Africa has the potential for even greater success. We applaud the Twinsaver Group for its investments into pioneering technologies and developing much-needed skills – all of which is empowering the sector’s growth and establishing South Africa, as well as the region, as a manufacturing powerhouse.”

Custom manufactured by Toscotec – a leading designer and manufacturer of tissue machines, systems and components – the tissue machine features first-to-market technology for South Africa’s paper and pulp manufacturing sector. Toscotec utilises engineering expertise to merge the best safety standards with optimised levels of output and superior product quality. This combination makes the new tissue machine a game changer in capacity, efficiencies and quality innovation, enhancing TSG’s competitiveness and the manufacturing sector’s advancement potential.

While the economic value is evident, the use of such technology is creating notable opportunities for employee empowerment. Over the past few months, TSG operators – all recent local engineering graduates – have undertaken robust skills enhancement programmes and technology training from international experts. This has equipped them to effectively lead operations at the new facility.

The new tissue manufacturing machine is among a string of investments aimed at entrenching TSG’s commitment to growing its business and market share. Other investments in recent years include an R80 million investment at its Bellville site in Cape Town and a further R100 million in acquiring Sylko (leading suppliers of disposable and recyclable household products) and Validus Medical (suppliers of incontinence and wipes solutions).

“With lagging infrastructure seen as one of the key inhibitors to the manufacturing sector’s progress, our focus on value-driven capital investments continues. These investment decisions are aligned to our focus on establishing The Twinsaver Group as a formidable Fast-Moving Consumer Goods business,” concluded Towell.


Sources:

1. http://www.itac.org.za/upload/FinalReport.pdf


Press:
  1.  See Article on Engineering news
  2. See article on CNBC

About The Twinsaver Group

The Twinsaver Group (TSG) is home to iconic South African personal care, home care and adult care brands. TSG manufactures, distributes and markets to homes and businesses across South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

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