Pioneer Foods, foremost food manufacturer, has expanded its food range by acquiring Accolade Trading, packagers of rice and dried vegetables.

Accolade's two main product ranges are Spekko rice and the Imbo range of dried lentils, peas and sugar beans. Other brands include Acco rice and Thriftpack. Accolade also packs speciality rice such as Luzaan health rice and Spekko basmati rice and manufacture their own range of split peas and lentils plus a range of soup mixes.

Based in Epping, Cape Town, Accolade was established forty years ago by Mr Charles Abrahams who built it into a respected entity. Its products are also sold in the Western Cape, Gauteng, the Free State, Limpopo and Eastern Cape.

According to André Hanekom, MD of Pioneer Foods, the transaction will strengthen the Group's position as a brand leader and manufacturer of quality food products marketed under the well-known names such as Bokomo, Weet-Bix, ProNutro, Sasko, Heinz, John West, Ceres, Safari and Liquifruit.

"This deal will boost Pioneer's share in the R1,9 billion local rice market by about 5% and provide access into the dried vegetables range.

"Our widespread infrastructure will benefit the distribution of the new range of products into our established markets," says Hanekom.

Pioneer Foods diversified product basket includes wheat and maize products, bread, soya, breakfast foods, rusks, frozen foods, pasta, ketchup, eggs, broilers, animal feed, dog food and packaging material.

The owner of Accolade, Mr Charles Abrahams, who decided to retire, expressed the wish to sell Accolade to a business that would look after its brands and employees.

The deal has been approved by the competition authorities.

[6 Oct 2004 13:28]

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