Bidvest Namibia acquires Taeuber & Corssen

Bidvest Namibia (BVN) is to acquire 100% of the issued share capital of Taeuber & Corssen SWA (Pty) Limited (T&C) from Taeuber & Corssen, One Wireless Technologies and the Taeuber & Corssen Namibia Employees' Share Trust for of Nam$188.7 million.

T&C is a leading distributor of fast moving consumer goods throughout Namibia. It was established in Namibia in 1920 as manufacturers' representatives and agents and continues to represent and distribute products of leading multinational companies such as Unilever, Nestle, Beiersdorf, S.C, Johnson, Parmalat, Country Fair and Phillip Morris.

In 1990, in an effort to expand its service offering, T&C established a cold storage operation to distribute perishable products throughout Namibia.

Bidvest Namibia said the strength of T&C's distribution and logistics networks provided the group with an exceptional national distribution footprint through which it was able to provide first-class service to its customers.

T&C's distribution business operates under two main divisions, namely T&C Trading and Matador Enterprises, which respectively cover a broad spectrum of dry and perishable goods.

T&C Trading distributes household detergents, personal care products, coffee, tea and creamers, while Matador Enterprises distributes chicken, fish, long life milk, infant formulas and nutritional products, cheese, butter, ice cream, frozen vegetables, pies, confectionary and biscuits, mineral water and a wide range of prepared frozen meals.

T&C leverages off its national footprint achieved through its warehouse and branch network to provide customers with a unique distribution offering. T&C's distribution network includes, warehouse facilities and fully equipped branches covering Windhoek, Katima Mulilo, Grootfontein, Otjiwarongo, Walvis Bay, Keetmanshoop and recently in Ongwediva.

T&C has also recently established a new logistics division, which provides in-house logistic capability.

Bidvest Namibia said the deal would further strengthen Bidvest Namibia's offering in Namibia and would provide diversification to its existing business portfolio.

"T&C is a professionally run, profitable business with a competent, experienced management team. In addition the group has well established operating processes and business structures," it said.

The transaction is subject to approval by the Namibian Competition Commission.

Let's do Biz