LOBELS BISCUITS & SWEETS

LOBELS BI SCU I T S & S W E E T S

Improving customer engagement through a dynamic marketing strategy www.lobelsbiscuits.co.zw

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BRINGING FIRST- CLASS

STANDARDS to Zimbabwe

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Having invested in branding and marketing activities in line with industry trends, Lobels is now preparing for the next stage of its capex strategy which will serve to increase export market opportunities and production capacities Writer: Emily Jarvis Project Manager: Josh Hyland

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obels Biscuits & Sweets’ prosperous and dynamic history has been a direct result of continuous improvement and monitoring of the latest industry trends in order to shape the future direction of the brand. With more than six decades of manufacturing expertise and an unrivalled local knowledge of Zimbabwean produce, the Company has recently turned its attention to creating engaging and dynamic marketing campaigns to increase customer interaction; taking note of customer feedback and using this

information to develop the Lobels brand.

“As a result of new appointments in our marketing division, together with linkages to a very talented advertising house, we feel more connected to our customers and can be more responsive to customer feedback which is a crucial determiner for brand success,” explains David Lecluse, Marketing Manager for Lobels Biscuits & Sweets.

Synonymous with quality, taste and the wide range of products available on wholesaler and supermarket

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shelves for generations, Lobels is one of the country’s largest and oldest food producers. Since identifying a gap in the market for biscuit manufacturing approximately 50 years ago, to complement its already booming bread manufacturing business, the Company ceased bread production at the turn of the century to focus on developing the confectionery arm of the business.

Supported by passionate branding, and a value-for-money product made from the finest ingredients, Lobels Biscuits & Sweets has now turned its attention to consolidating ahead of a 2017 capital expenditure (capex) plan to expand in existing export markets, as well as penetrate new ones.

European standards

Lobels has not only been taking note of confectionery trends in sub-Saharan Africa, but the Company has identified synergies with other international markets outside of the continent

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where Lecluse says the Lobels brand can “compete with its superior, consistent and competitively-priced quality product range”.

“Provided we have the ability to transport efficiently at a reasonable cost then we can look at further export opportunities that will benefit the Company. Of course, we have to make sure that our product is right for the market in question: moving to healthier ingredients and creating specific products for these markets are just two considerations,” he highlights.

“Our new wire-cut cookie range aimed at the growing middle-class in Southern Africa is an example of our diversification success.”

From its head office, manufacturing unit and main distribution depot located in Bulawayo, Lobels currently exports to Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Angola and the UK, with local distribution handled by the Company’s own fleet. Having identified

CODCHEM PVT LTD

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odchem Pvt Ltd, incorporated in 1989, is a leading manufacturer and distributor of food flavours, colours and preservatives, used in a variety of industries including the pharmaceutical industry. Our products are also used in beverages, bakery products and as flavouring for dairy produce.

Throughout Zimbabwe, Codchem is the sole manufacturer of food flavours and colours, and our business objective is to fill the gaps created in the food and beverage industry in the country.

Address Head Office Bay 1, Cavan Ind Park, 144 Mutare rd, Msasa, Harare T +263-4-480260 | +263 487711-2 E sales@codchem.co.zw

www.codchem.co.zw

Lobels has benefited hugely from its appointment of Shift Engage, a talented advertising agency responsible for the Company’s new branding and marketing campaigns

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Leading Manufacturers and Distributors of Food Chemicals We

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BEVERAGES SUGAR CONFECTIONARY

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BAKERY & GENERAL USE www.codchem.co.zw tel: +263 4 487711/2 +263 4 480260 Head Office Bay 1, Cavan Ind Park, 144 Mutare rd, Msasa, Harare

Manufacturers of food flavours and colours

The experts in moving your trophies and freight from/to Zimbabwe to/from any destination in the world.

A superior, consistent and competitively-priced quality product range

P O BOX 706, BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE TEL: +263 9 474154/5/6/7 FAX: +263 9 474151 www.zimbabwe-freight-consultants.com

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The only thing holding us back from reaching these new export markets is our production capacities, and we are continually re-valuating this in order to carry on growing

The use of highly skilled, experienced bakery consultants from Europe has had a positive impact on sales

Malawi, Madagascar, Mozambique and Mauritius as welcome additions to this export market portfolio as part of the capex plan, Lecluse is confident that this can be achieved once capacities at the factory are enhanced.

He notes: “The only thing holding us back from reaching these new export markets is our production capacities, and we are continually re-evaluating this in order to carry on growing. We have undergone a significant plant capital expansion already in 2014, with another planned expansion next year to further improve product quality and our efficiencies which will allow us to continue on our growth path.

“Furthermore, investment in our distribution fleet, ancillary equipment and other essentials is ongoing.”

By leveraging the latest European standards, technologies and machinery – including the installation of new ovens, creamers and wrappers from Europe – Lobels has ensured that when it comes to biscuits and sweets,

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the brand stands head and shoulders above the competition and catches the customer’s eye.

“Customer feedback from these activities is invaluable as it tells us that we are doing things right,” he says. “The use of highly skilled, experienced bakery consultants from Europe, combined with a raw and wrapping material supplier base, who have access to latest advances in technology and international baking trends, has set us apart from local competition and made a positive impact on sales in our export markets as well as locally,” he adds.

Openness and honesty

As a customer-centric Company, Lobels places emphasis on attention to detail when dealing with clients; ensuring that constant communication is filtered throughout all levels of the organisation. With an almost entirely Zimbabwean team, the Company is driven to making sure that its workforce meets the stringent

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training requirements that match European standards.

“Zimbabwean people are naturally resilient and resourceful, hardworking and a pleasure to work with. There is an inherent community spirit in the workplace which, ultimately, results in the achievement of our goals. Our employees undergo continual training through the use of consultants and seminars - both on-site and external - and we make sure to encourage diligence and creativity which results in a solid work ethic and first-class standards,” affirms Lecluse.

Building long-term business partnerships based on honesty and openness is another aspect of the business that Lobels is proud of; particularly locally, where the Company has recently focused on strengthening its ties to help the local economy grow in the current challenging climate.

Utilising the naturally resilient and hardworking local Zimbabwean workforce to reach its goals

Adopting international manufacturing standards to grow in a challenging economic environment

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“Achieving the maximum potential out of our mutual partnerships will see us retain these relationships – both locally and internationally - for the long-term, and will help spread the Lobels name and bolster our reputation in Africa,” he says.

“Furthermore, to further engrain ourselves locally, we participate in corporate social responsibility activities. Adopting the naturally community-spirited philosophies of Zimbabwe, we continually give back to the underprivileged. It is a real pleasure assisting those who need it most and importantly the customers that support us know that we are involved in such activities,” Lecluse further details.

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Following a capex plan for success

Lobels is proud of its brand and business direction

Achieving the maximum potential out of our mutual partnerships will see us retain these relationships...

“The installation and launch of our fifth automatic biscuit oven, in conjunction with several new lines will create the spare capacity needed to enable us to actively pursue export prospects in the immediate geographies. In addition, consideration is being given to the development of a manufacturing unit north of the equator to ensure we can penetrate a larger proportion of Africa,” he comments.

Lecluse concludes: “Our marketing Continued expansion emphasis and brand strategy With next year’s capex plan promising will further support our internal to increase capacities and open new investments and show the customer export opportunities, Lecluse is just how proud we are of the Lobels confident that the long-term growth of brand name and where we are headed the Lobels name is secure. in the future.”

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LOBELS BISCUITS (PVT) LTD Luton Street PO Box 8099 Belmont Bulawayo Zimbabwe T: +263 9 69 831 | +263 4 749611

www.lobelsbiscuits.co.zw