Tiger Brands, South Africa’s biggest food producer, and perhaps the country’s biggest household brand, will open a refurbished factory in Paarl in next year where it will produce amongst other items, its famous Mrs Ball’s Chutney.
The company has stated that the revamped factory is expected to be fully operational by April 2026.
Regarding employment opportunities linked to the redevelopment, Tiger Brands said its workforce remains a “priority”.
The company is still determining the operational requirements of the upgraded site, and job numbers and both temporary construction roles and permanent positions will be confirmed in due course.
In line with its commitment to local economic development, Tiger Brands noted that raw materials will be sourced from qualified local suppliers who are able to meet the commodity and production standards required by the facility.
Once the upgrade is complete, the site will produce Mrs Ball’s Chutney, All Gold products and Hugo’s Jam, reaffirming its position as a key manufacturing hub for several of South Africa’s most iconic food brands.
The company confirmed that the existing factory, which was originally established in 1903, is currently being refurbished rather than completely redeveloped, with the modernised site set to house three dedicated manufacturing plants producing jams, vinegar and chutney.
A range of well-known products will be produced at these premises including Mrs Ball’s Chutney, All Gold Jam, All Gold Mustard, Colman’s Worcestershire Sauce and Cross & Blackwell Kasi Sauces.
Tiger Brands said to Paarl Post that the modernisation project reflects its long-term investment in local manufacturing and its commitment to strengthening production capabilities within South Africa.
Tjaart Kruger, Chief Executive Officer of Tiger Brands, recently announced at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), during the presentation of the company’s financial results for the period ending September, that Tiger Brands plans to invest approximately R1,5 billion annually in capital expenditure over the next few years to expand existing manufacturing capacity and commission new sites, with the aim of driving cost efficiencies.
The redevelopment of the factory in Paarl cost the company roughly R120 million to create a three-plant factory manufacturing vinegar, jam, and chutney.
Kruger said that the old site had manufactured jams for its Koo label, as well as its Colman’s Worcestershire Sauce. Now the group had intentionally invested in this site to increase capacity to ensure enough supplies.
