KWV International expands into Southern African

KWV International, established in 1995 as the trading company in branded product of KWV Limited, has maintained a dynamic presence in world markets through the export of quality branded wines and brandies from South Africa. March 2004 saw the further implementation of KWV International's global strategy to move into a fourth major market by fulfilling a historical initiative by entering the local Southern African market.

KWV International Southern Africa will be based in Gauteng and headed up by General Manager, Mandy du Plessis and Marketing Manager, Vanessa Schreyer. The Gauteng division will be responsible for general management, marketing, trade marketing and key accounts.

In 1918, the KWV Co-operative, was established by the South African wine farmers to regulate the industry and remove the surplus and unsold wine from every harvest. The removal of the surplus wine would not have been beneficial to the market had KWV tried to sell this stock back into the existing market as this would have resulted in the co-operative competing directly with its members and thereby defeating the purpose of its existence. As a result and ratified by legislation, KWV has, since 1924, been unable to sell anything except fortified wines and brandies in the local market.

However, new legislation in the wine industry, has removed this trading barrier. 2004 will see the continuation of KWV International's global strategy as it enters the Southern African market with a diverse portfolio of high price segment wines and brandies.

KWV International Southern Africa has selected Smollans Liquor Division, part of the Smollans Group, as KWV International Southern Africa's main strategic business partner to handle their new route to market activities. TFD Network Africa has been selected as the logistics partner responsible for implementing all the warehousing and distribution requirements.

The South African market will be approached as one of KWV International's top four focus markets, after the United Kingdom, USA and Germany.