Tiger Brands transforms historic Paarl facility into world-class Culinary mega-site

 R200 million-plus investment delivers localisation, new manufacturing capability and expanded iconic brand production for South African consumers

 Tiger Brands has unveiled a significant transformation of its historic Paarl manufacturing facility in the Western Cape, turning the site, first established in 1903, into a state-of-the-art Culinary mega-site with three dedicated production plants.

The R200 million-plus investment in the mega-site is the first of the company’s structural investments to go live as part of its strategic journey to drive growth.

“Investments such as the Paarl mega-site are about building a stronger Tiger Brands for the future. By modernising our manufacturing network and improving how we operate, we are creating a more efficient, resilient and competitive business that is better positioned for long-term growth. Just as importantly, these investments help us to continue delivering the quality, value and affordability that South African consumers rely on every day,” says Tjaart Kruger, CEO Tiger Brands.

The Paarl Culinary mega-site now houses three distinct production capabilities, each designed to deliver meaningful improvements in supply security, cost efficiency and product quality.

The first major development is a dedicated vinegar production plant with a production capacity of three million litres per annum. Vinegar is a critical input for several key Tiger Brands products, including: Mrs Ball’s Chutney, All Gold Tomato Sauce and Crosse & Blackwell Mayonnaise. The new plant secures a significant portion of the internal supply for these brands, eliminating complete dependency on external sources and ensuring stable production.

The second major development is the commissioning of Mrs Ball’s Chutney production at the Paarl facility, with three production lines installed for the 470g glass pack, 375g, 800g, and 1.1kg PET packs, as well as the bulk 3kg and 6.25kg ranges. Previously produced by a third party, bringing production of the iconic South African brand under Tiger Brands’ roof for the first time strengthens quality assurance and supply security of one of the country’s best-loved condiments.

The third development is the transition of jam packaging from cans to recyclable PET (polyethylene terephthalate) containers. Tiger Brands is the first in South Africa to make this transition in the Jam category. PET packaging offers convenience, is lighter and more consumer-friendly, while maintaining product integrity and taste. PET lines have been installed to produce the 290g, 480g and 900g packs and other future innovation pack sizes.

“The transformation of our Paarl facility reflects our efforts to invest in manufacturing capability that enable us to better serve our consumers. By bringing Mrs Ball’s in-house, by securing our vinegar supply, and by improving our packaging, we are focused on driving growth and better meeting consumer needs with convenient packaging solutions. This reinforces our commitment to driving economic development, localisation, supply security and affordability of some of the country’s most beloved food brands,” says Dumo Mfini, MD Culinary, Tiger Brands.

The Western Cape region benefits from the facility’s economic contribution as a major employer and manufacturer.

Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, attended the ribbon-cutting, saying, “The Western Cape Government’s apex priority is nurturing strong, sustainable and inclusive economic growth to create jobs. Through plans such as our Growth for Jobs strategy, we have set out a bold roadmap to achieve breakout economic growth. This initiative is building a stronger job creation environment for companies such as Tiger Brands, aimed at making it as easy as possible to do business in our province.

“The ongoing investment from Tiger Brands into the Western Cape is an enduring vote of confidence in our province’s growth and job creation ecosystem, and we warmly congratulate the Tiger Brands team for this incredible achievement,” says Winde.

The Paarl investment forms part of Tiger Brands’ broader programme of structural investments aimed at strengthening the company’s manufacturing base and delivering efficiencies to support its focus on driving affordability across its portfolio. As outlined at the company’s interim results in June 2026, Tiger Brands is committed to investing approximately R1.5 billion annually in capital expenditure for the next three years, with peak investment reaching R2 billion.

A Tiger Brands super bakery in Pretoria, a R1 billion investment, is on track for commissioning in 2027, and a Mega Distribution Centre in Gauteng is expected to be operational the following year.

At its Snacks and Treats operation in eThekwini, Durban, production is being consolidated into a single mega-site, with the project expected to be completed later this year. The consolidation will streamline operations and improve manufacturing efficiencies across the business.

The company has also completed the first major upgrade in the 33-year history of its Pietermaritzburg Mill. The investment will improve manufacturing efficiencies, increase flour extraction, and reduce waste.

The Boksburg Culinary manufacturing facility, where iconic brands such as KOO, All Gold and Crosse & Blackwell are produced, has been expanded to include a new Culinary Hub, bringing commercial and operational teams closer together to enhance collaboration and accelerate innovation.

The localisation of production at Paarl carries significant benefits for consumers and the economy. Raw materials are sourced from qualified local suppliers, supporting South African agriculture and contributing to local economic activity in the area.

The Western Cape region benefits from the facility’s economic contribution as a major employer and manufacturer.

Looking ahead, Tiger Brands has entered the second half of 2026 with confidence in its strategy. The resilience of its performance through the first half of the year, combined with the structural investments now coming on stream, positions the company well for the future. The Paarl mega-site is a tangible expression of that ambition.

FEATURED IMAGE

From left: Roger Schierhout, Plant Manager Paarl Culinary (far left); Dumo Mfini, MD Culinary Tiger Brands; with Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, and Tjaart Kruger, CEO Tiger Brands (middle); and Werna Oberholzer, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, Tiger Brands.