As part of its restructuring process for greater market share, Dangote
Flour Mills has reopened its plant in Kano with plans to grow wheat in the
state. The plant was shut down by Tiger Branded Consumer Goods of South
Africa following its acquisition of the flour mill.
The reopening ceremony and commissioning of new machinery at the plant
location in Kano also witnessed rewarding of distributors at various
categories.
Speaking at the commissioning of the plant in Kano at the weekend,
President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote assured
stakeholders that the mill is back for production and will not be shut for
any interest.
“I will like to assure you that we are back for good and we will never
close this mill again. It has always been my desire to increase our
investments in Kano. We are also looking forward to venturing into
farming in the State where we can create a lot of jobs and I think this
flour mill will help us achieve this feat in Kano.
“Kano is very strategic because most of our products, be it flour,
sugar, pasta, enjoy a lot of patronage and support. I want to announce
that we have successfully re-engineered Dangote Flour Mill so as to
meet the emerging challenges in the market place and also to meet the
ever changing demands of our esteemed and loyal consumers.
“We decided to make this investment in November when Tiger Branded
Consumer Goods decided to leave the country and we do not want over
3000 jobs to be lost. You can imagine these 3000 people going back into
the job market in Nigeria. So we decided to seek ways to assist to
ensure that these jobs are secured by injecting fresh cash of about N10
billion into the business.
“Our return to Kano is actually a sign of good things to come and it
is our hope that by this move, we will create thousands of employment
in the State and not just in flour but other products.
“Very soon we will start growing wheat in Kano, I want to assure our
customers that we will continue to support you to make sure that we
assist you with the necessary things needed to make your businesses a
lot easier and more profitable.
“I am looking forward to you supporting the entire team to make sure
the company surpasses its target of 900,000 metric tonnes of wheat
yearly. I want to assure you that with the new board we have, this
company will definitely excel with or without my presence”, he added.
Chairman, Dangote Flour Mills Plc, Ighodalo Asue noted that Kano
remains one of the firm’s biggest markets and the management is happy
to be reinvigorating the plant.
“We bought back Dangote Flour Mill from Tiger Branded and by this move,
it means we have a stronger, better sophisticated and more focused
Dangote Flour Mills.
“Since the takeover, we have taken a lot steps to reposition the
company through expansion to drive growth. We are also using this
medium to restate our commitment to increasing our shareholders value
and our dear customers.
Let me assure you that we will continue to invest in the State and other
parts of the country and even beyond the country, because we believe in
job and wealth creation. It is our hope that our return to Kano will
create more job opportunities and impact positively on the economy of the
State.
“I will like to commend Aliko Dangote for his investment in Dangote
Flour Mills, a few months ago when Tiger Branded Company was going to
leave the country, it appears that the fate of the company was in
jeopardy, but Aliko Dangote’s decision to buy back the company has
saved the jobs of about 3000 employees and the shares of over a million
shareholders. More importantly, the multiplier effect of his investment
in the country is immeasurable”, he said.
Group Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Flour Mills, Thabo Mabe, said:
“We are using this opportunity to thank our loyal customers and
distributors for their patience and understanding during our challenging
moments. We have fully repositioned as a company to serve you better and
to say we are here for a long hall. We do not only create jobs for
people but provide a lot of incentives to customers to encourage them to
grow their businesses so that you can grow our business.
“As our customers, you are critical stakeholders in our business and we
will ensure that your needs are fully met. We will continue to count on
your support as we also move to grow our market share in the industry.
It is my hope that we continue to impact positively on your business and
the entire economy at large”.
A total of eight distributors were rewarded with distribution vans, ten
others got tricycles while every distributor who attended the event went
home with a Dangote Flour Mills branded refrigerator.