Spanish fragrance and flavours group expands in South Africa

Iberchem South Africa is regrouping to combine the activity of Iberchem (fragrances), Scentium (flavours) and Versachem (colourants and seasonings). This combined commercial office in South Africa is set to boost the company’s already strong presence in the country while catapulting its expansion in East and West Africa. By Abby Vorster

The Iberchem Group recently announced it will expand its presence in the South African market by bringing together the teams of Iberchem, Scentium and Versachem under the name of Iberchem South Africa.

The announcement comes two years after the group acquired 70% of Versachem, a company specialising in food colourants and seasonings. The group recently bought the remaining 30%, thereby fully integrating Versachem’s activity into its portfolio. All three divisions will be temporarily accommodated in Versachem’s current offices in Pretoria until a new location can be found.

Proximity and flexibility in focus

“Since the Iberchem Group first set foot in South Africa in the early 2000s, our activity has been growing steadily,” says Ramón Fernández, CEO of Iberchem Group. “The moment had come to establish ourselves permanently in the market to further improve our customers’ experience. Proximity is a key element in our service offering. We strive to be as close as possible to our clients, which means they benefit from more agility when developing their product and from faster delivery times.”

With its local stock holding and application labs for the personal care and food and beverage industries, Iberchem South Africa is geared to supply customers on short notice.

This agility is highly unique to the group considering its size on a global scale.

Developing local talent

Iberchem South Africa will be managed by Quentin Questiaux, who joined the company in May. Questiaux is well-known in the African market, with a proven track record in the flavour and fragrance industry. In the coming months, Iberchem South Africa will also gradually welcome new members to both Iberchem and Scentium.

Creating jobs for local talent is key to the establishment of the group in South Africa. The company is exploring various learnership programmes with practical work experience for local perfumers and food technologists while focusing on employing and empowering individuals from previously-disadvantaged backgrounds.

“When it comes to flavours and fragrances, South Africa is a vibrant market that has always been at the forefront of trends,” Questiaux comments. “This is why we are building a team that is both dynamic and qualified in order to fulfil the country’s standards. Leveraging what has already been accomplished on the market, I’m highly enthusiastic and optimistic about the future of this new branch.”

When it comes to flavours and fragrances, South Africa is a vibrant market that has always been at the forefront of trends

INNOVATIVE YET COST-EFFECTIVE

Iberchem South Africa’s now permanent presence in the country brings exciting prospects for the fragrance and personal care industries. Its cost-effective technologies for these markets are both environmentally-friendly and proven safe. The local office also brings with it a purchasing power that is very much needed as a result of economic challenges and the weakening rand.

“We are here Quentin Questiaux is well-known in the African permanently to supply market, with a proven track innovative yet costrecord in the flavour and fragrance industry effective technologies for fine fragrances; as well as air, home, personal and fabric care applications,” says Questiaux.

Did you know?

Iberchem’s foundation is deeply rooted in Africa. Although the group’s headquarters are based in Spain, where the business was established over 35 years ago, its very first customer was based in Africa.

“We also have an exciting programme that supports entrepreneurs in selling and distributing fragrances – which shows our commitment to the country and to empowering local people.” •