Foodcorp Milling Celebrates 120 Years

BRAND ACTIVITY

Nov 30th 2011, 13:05

During the last 120 years the milling industry in South Africa has grown from humble beginnings to high-tech installations across the country. Foodcorp Milling, a division of Foodcorp (Pty) Ltd, is the largest milling complex on one site in Southern Africa and the 8th largest complex on one site in the world.

The history of the rise of the milling industry in South Africa goes back to the late 1800’s when Jewish immigrants mostly from Lithuania, were instrumental in building the industry from humble family businesses, to the giants of today.

In the late 1800’s Pretoria Flour Mills was owned by Mr E F Bourke, who sold it to Mr A W Ockerse after World War 1. The building was well known in its day as it was painted black, specifically to assist farmers in locating it, hence the building becoming known as “Pretoria Black Mills”.

“Pretoria Black Mills” was purchased from Mr Ockerse in 1919 by Mr Saul Rutowitz and was known as Ruto Flour Mills. In the early 1900’s Mr Rutowitz, was approached by the milling community to assist in recruiting qualified immigrant millers. This resulted in 29 millers from England and Ireland re-locating to South Africa to help build the industry.

Ruto Mills was incorporated into the Companies Act in 1929, with a share capital of 15 000 pounds. The original Deed of Transfer signed by President Paul Kruger and today still hangs proudly in the boardroom of its premises in President Burgers Street, Pretoria, where the mill was relocated in 1948.

Originally only wheat was milled, but during the 1950’s, in order to diversify, maize milling was introduced, along with a chain of bakeries and depots

The 1970’s were characterised by growth and expansion, with the Silo complex being extended in 1975 allowing for an increase in storage capacity. In 1976, an extraction plant was built, which extracts oil from maize.

During 1979 both the maize plant capacity and that of the wheat plant were increased. With consumer demand increasing and modern technology on the rise during this period, bulk bins were installed allowing for increased production.

This impressive complex is today a landmark in Pretoria, consisting not only of the silo complex, but also consists of a bulk flour installation, five storey milling and warehouse complex, offices, plant, silo’s, vehicle workshops, the prepared mixes plant, test bakery and state-of-the art laboratory facilities.

The oil site has a bulk handling installation for the bran and DFG (defatted maize germ), an oil extraction plant as well as stores and workshops.
 
Through the years Foodcorp Milling continued to develop and expand and in 1984 a wheat cleaning and conditioning plant was installed and by 1987 with production capacities increasing even further a new Buhler Mill was introduced followed by a state of the art stainless steel mill in 2010.

In 1978, JSE listed company Fedfood gained control of Ruto Mills and by 1982 had total ownership. Fedfood later became known as Foodcorp (Pty) Ltd, which today is South Africa’s third largest branded food business.

The continued growth of Foodcorp Milling has created employment for 938 employees who work at the President Burgers Street complex in Pretoria and the Distribution depots situated in Polokwane, Tzaneen, Nelspruit, Thohoyandou, Klaserie and Marble Hall

Today distribution is carried out by 15 distribution agents across the country. The well-loved brands include Supreme, Safari, A1, Tafelberg and 5 Star. In the early 1980’s Foodcorp Milling pioneered a range of value added products for the baking industry with their speciality prepared mixes.

Foodcorp Milling supplies their products to Foodcorp’s subsidiaries including Piemans, Mageu Number 1, Sunbake, Grocery Division,and the various Speciality Food Divisions as well as major industrial companies, the fast food industry, major chains and chain wholesalers. Products are also exported to Sub-Saharan Africa and to the SADC countries.

Today the mill is operated by high-tech machinery with production taking place 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Foodcorp Milling continues to grow in fields such as research and development, marketing, distribution, human resources and production. With the rich history surrounding this business and the passion and vision that Foodcorp engenders, the future of this mill looks set to be part of the milling landscape for another century of truly South African flavour.Click here for more information on Foodcorp Consumer Brands