Zambeef’s Kitwe Processing Plant to decentralise operations and further increase company’s efficiencies on the Copperbelt and neighbouring markets
Zambeef Products’ new Kitwe Processing Plant is set to decentralise some of the food retailer’s operations and logistics from its base at Huntley Farm in Chisamba in a move to streamline operations, and improve efficiencies and economies of scale in serving the Northern parts of the country.
“The market for Zambeef products is growing and so is the company. We aim to give added value to our customers with the one-stop shop concept in the form of our macro outlets – which have been well received. But beyond the shopfront we are investing heavily in the processes, the machinery and the facilities that will ultimately enhance the customer experience and value offered by Zambeef,” said Zambeef Head of Corporate Affairs and General Manager Retailing Felix Lupindula.
The plant, on Government Road in Chimwemwe’s industrial area, features state-of-the-art facilities including a weighbridge, high-capacity cold-rooms, and a bigger storage and workers’ canteen in a strategic move to mitigate the challenges of cold storage, office space, processing space, parking, and supply chain management for the North that have come about as a result of the company’s growth.
Zambeef’s retail activity in the North has expanded with the opening of Kasumbalesa, Solwezi, Kasama, Wusakile, Ndola City Centre (NCC), Nkana East and Mansa Macros, necessitating the realigned of supply management to the region.
“Our goal is to continue providing our customers with affordable, accessible, available and quality products that can rival any other product on the market locally or otherwise. The plant employs a first in, first out (FIFO) method together with other quality management practices to ensure consistent and efficient product and service delivery,” said Mr Lupindula.
In addition, Zambeef’s signature macro store, consisting of butchery, Novatek Animal Feed and Zamhatch sales outlets at the front of the plant offers Zambeef’s portfolio of products ranging from meat and dairy to Novatek animal feed and even leather products such as Zamshu school and sports shoes, as well as industrial footwear and protective clothing, – an added advantage for mining and manufacturing companies on the Copperbelt and North-Western Province.
The Kitwe Processing macro outlet was the first on the Copperbelt serving the surrounding areas of Mindolo, Buchi, Chimwemwe, Race Course, Garneton, Bulangililo, Kwachca and Riverside.
While Huntley Farm remains the company’s base operational and distribution centre, the new Kitwe Processing Plant will make for easier service at a decentralised level for all the inter-town retail centres from a strategic regional location.
