Harare – Baker's Inn says it will invest over $20 million towards putting up additional plants at its Bulawayo and Harare factories next year as it seeks to further romp up production to meet the high demand of bread on the market.

Bakers Inn which recently ramped up capacity utilisation to 65 percent – is now reportedly to be selling three million loaves per week, a figure that is expected to go up once additional plants comes online.

Following its concluded Buy and Win promotion, Bakers Inn reported that their market share surged to 45 percent which has seen the country’s biggest confectionery maker expand its reach.

In a statement, Baker's Inn sales and marketing executive Mr Caleb Musodza said the company was looking forward to increasing its bread production capacity by 100 percent at its Belmont factory in Bulawayo.

"We anticipate to invest at least $11 million as we are indeed adding an additional plant at our Bulawayo factory to at least double our production capacity to 400 000 loaves per day and we anticipate to have this project to be fully implemented in the next 18 months. This (plant) will be significantly more technologically advanced than the current machines," he said.

Musodza also said the Company is planning on investing the same amount at its Harare plant

Last year, the bread manufacturer installed an additional $5 million plant, which saw its production rising by about 85 percent.

The company also said it anticipates in purchasing more distribution trucks.

"Linked to the increase in the production capacities, will be investments in other areas like additional skills, distribution trucks, customer programmes among other programmes.

"Hence as we expand the factory and operations in Bulawayo, we are also going to buy more distribution trucks as well. We take pride in creating numerous direct and indirect employment opportunities for the Bulawayo community.”

Prior to the installation of the third plant last year in August, the bakery was forced to complement the demand of its bread in the southern region through supplies from its Harare factory.

Baker's Inn has six depots in the southern region namely Chiredzi, Masvingo, Zvishavane, Hwange, Gokwe and Gweru, which receive deliveries from the Bulawayo factory.

The Bulawayo market is split into three areas - the Central Business District covering the eastern suburbs and the Inyathi area, Area 1, which covers Tsholotsho going to Lupane while Area II covers the western areas of the city, Gwanda and Plumtree.

Musodza added that the company was going to put up another additional plant at its Harare factory.

"We are also significantly increasing our production capacity at the Harare plant in tandem with the demand of our bread, which currently accounts for 50 percent share of the market.

"We intend to invest more or less the same amount as that of our investment in Bulawayo. We are very positive about the future of the bread market in the country, hence our investing."

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