Lily Sawyer is an in-house writer for Africa Outlook Magazine, where she is responsible for interviewing corporate executives and crafting original features for the magazine, corporate...
- Senior Editor
Share
Tiger Brands has transformed its historic Paarl facility into a world-class Culinary mega-site, strengthening local manufacturing, supply resilience, and production of some of South Africa’s most iconic food brands.
Tiger Brands has unveiled a major transformation of its historic Paarl manufacturing facility, converting the site into a state-of-the-art Culinary mega-site as part of its long-term growth strategy.
Representing an investment of more than R200 million, the project is the first of the company’s structural investments to go live, modernising its manufacturing network while strengthening supply resilience, operational efficiency, and localisation.
From left to right: Roger Schierhout, Plant Manager Paarl Culinary; Dumo Mfini, MD Culinary Tiger Brands; Alan Winde, Premier of the Western Cape; Tjaart Kruger, CEO, Tiger Brands; Werna Oberholzer, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, Tiger Brands
“Investments such as the Paarl mega-site are about building a stronger Tiger Brands for the future”
“By modernising our manufacturing network and improving how we operate, we are creating a more efficient, resilient and competitive business that is better positioned for long-term growth. Just as importantly, these investments help us to continue delivering the quality, value and affordability that South African consumers rely on every day.”
Originally established in 1903, the Paarl facility has long played an important role in South Africa’s food manufacturing sector and is recognised as the birthplace of All Gold Tomato Sauce, first commercially launched there in 1908.
STRENGTHENING LOCAL PRODUCTION
The transformed mega-site now houses three dedicated production capabilities, each designed to improve supply security, product quality, and manufacturing efficiency.
The first is a dedicated vinegar production plant capable of producing three million litres annually. Vinegar is a key ingredient in several flagship Tiger Brands products, including Mrs Ball’s Chutney, All Gold Tomato Sauce, and Crosse & Blackwell Mayonnaise. Producing it in-house secures a significant portion of supply and reduces dependence on external sources.
From Left to right: Roger Schierhout, Plant Manager Tiger Brands Paarl Culinary; Alan Winde, Premier of the Western Cape; Tjaart Kruger, CEO, Tiger Brands, at the opening of the Tiger Brands Paarl Culinary mega-site in Paarl, Western Cape
The second development brings production of the iconic Mrs Ball’s Chutney brand under Tiger Brands’ direct control for the first time. Previously manufactured by a third party, the Paarl facility now operates three production lines covering multiple glass, PET, and bulk pack formats, strengthening quality assurance and supply reliability.
Completing the transformation is the introduction of recyclable PET packaging for the company’s jam range. Tiger Brands says it is the first business in South Africa’s jam category to make the transition from cans to PET containers, offering consumers lighter, more convenient packaging while maintaining product quality.
“The transformation of our Paarl facility reflects our efforts to invest in manufacturing capability that enable us to better serve our consumers,” said Dumo Mfini, Managing Director, Culinary at Tiger Brands.
“By bringing Mrs Ball’s in-house, by securing our vinegar supply, and by improving our packaging, we are focused on driving growth and better meeting consumer needs with convenient packaging solutions.”
The Paarl investment forms part of a wider programme to strengthen Tiger Brands’ manufacturing footprint across South Africa. The company has committed to investing approximately R1.5 billion annually in capital expenditure over the next three years, with peak investment expected to reach R2 billion.
Among the projects underway are a R1 billion super bakery in Pretoria, scheduled for commissioning in 2027, a Mega Distribution Centre in Gauteng, consolidation of Snacks and Treats manufacturing into a single Durban mega-site, upgrades at the Pietermaritzburg Mill, and the expansion of the Boksburg Culinary facility.
“The Western Cape Government’s apex priority is nurturing strong, sustainable and inclusive economic growth to create jobs. Through plans such as our Growth for Jobs strategy, we have set out a bold roadmap to achieve breakout economic growth. This initiative is building a stronger job creation environment for companies such as Tiger Brands, aimed at making it as easy as possible to do business in our province,” said Alan Winde, Premier of the Western Cape.
“The ongoing investment from Tiger Brands into the Western Cape is an enduring vote of confidence in our province’s growth and job creation ecosystem, and we warmly congratulate the Tiger Brands team for this incredible achievement.”
Beyond manufacturing efficiencies, the Paarl investment also supports localisation by sourcing key agricultural commodities from qualified local suppliers across the Western Cape, including strawberries, onions, and Seville oranges used in several of the company’s best-known brands.
With the first phase of its structural investment programme now operational, Tiger Brands believes the Paarl mega-site represents a significant milestone in building a more resilient manufacturing network while supporting affordability, local economic development, and future growth.
This article was produced by the editorial team at Africa Outlook and published as part of the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.
Outlook Publishing delivers industry insights, company stories, and sector coverage across manufacturing, mining, construction, healthcare, supply chains, food production, and sustainability.
Africa Outlook provides ongoing coverage of organisations and developments shaping industries across Africa.
Lily Sawyer is an in-house writer for Africa Outlook Magazine, where she is responsible for interviewing corporate executives and crafting original features for the magazine, corporate brochures, and the digital platform.
