COLCOM

With its origins dating back 75 years, Colcom Foods Limited is a long established household brand name in Zimbabwe, synonymous with a reputation for a very wide range of delicious, hygienically prepared quality processed pork and meat products for differing market requirements.

The quality chain incorporates strict Government veterinary standards and controls, as well as the comprehensive standards of the Zimbabwe Quality Assured Pork Scheme (ZQAP), from on-farm pig production through to its factory facilities and distribution.

Colcom Foods Limited operated as a Co-operative until 1993 when Colcom Holdings Ltd was formed and successfully floated on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. Funds raised from this flotation and a subsequent Rights Issue were used to refurbish and upgrade existing factory facilities and for the development of new wholesale and retail outlets.

Five years later, in line with international trends, Colcom vertically integrated its operations in a world class state-of-the-art pig production unit, Triple C Pigs. This achieves some of the best results in the world in quality output and feed conversion ratios, supplying Colcom Foods Limited with the majority of its requirements. The remainder is bought from third party growers.

In late 2001 Colcom Foods Limited acquired the Danmeats brand (incorporating the Oscars brand) and subsequently invested in a major new, modern Cold Store at the Danmeats site in Ruwa.

In 2003 Colcom Foods Limited established Associated Meat Packers (AMP), which subsequently became a joint venture, principally to process and market beef. AMP caters for a wide variety of customers as well as its own retail butchery outlets and other Colcom Shops. AMP has also initiated Texas Meats retail butchery outlets, for both beef and chicken.

Colcom Foods Limited also entered into an associate venture in Zimbabwe with the Freddy Hirsch group. The venture manufactures and supplies natural and synthetic sausage casings, ingredients supporting the meat industry, and butchery equipment, and provides training for persons in the meat business. In 2019, Colcom Foods Limited divested its interest in Freddy Hirsch.

In recent years Colcom Foods Limited has embarked on a substantial phased programme to upgrade its technologies and equipment, install new machinery for new products, and refurbish its refrigeration systems. At the same time the group has been restructured to meet changing needs.

Very conscious of the value of their brands, both Colcom Foods Limited and AMP have also recently updated and redesigned their logos and packaging in line with modern trends. Marketing and Sales activities to promote and support the brands and products have also been stepped up across all market segments.

During the course of 2018, Innscor Africa Limited acquired all the minority interests in Colcom Holdings Limited such that it became a wholly owned subsidiary. Colcom Holdings Limited has since de-listed from the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. It in turn carries out its core operations in Colcom Foods Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary.

In 2019, due to a restructuring exercise, Colcom Foods Limited unbundled AMP from its structure. AMP remains part of Innscor Africa Limited group of companies.

The Colcom Holdings group employs approximately 1,200 people.