On the expansion trail - Applethwaite ( Thursday 20 March 2008 )

The Capespan Group, through its associate company Rapiprop, has purchased the 490 ha Applethwaite farm in the Grabouw area, Western Cape from the Lombardi Trust for an undisclosed sum.

The Capespan Group, through its associate company Rapiprop, has purchased the 490 ha Applethwaite farm in the Grabouw area, Western Cape from the Lombardi Trust for an undisclosed sum. “The purchase of this large apple, pear and plum production unit underscores Capespan’s continued focus on growth and development,” said managing director Neil Oosthuizen.

He confirmed that Applethwaite (Pty) Ltd was being taken over as a going concern with its 300 employees. “Because the farm has been a Capespan supplier for more than 60 years, we know the business intimately”.

With orchards covering 300 ha, Applethwaite annually exports 260 000 cartons of apples, 50 000 cartons of pears and 100 000 trays of plums. Apart from having its own pack house and cold stores, the farm was one of the first in the country to offer a crèche, pre-school, clinic and church facilities to staff members. The company’s infrastructure is a producer’s dream. Plus, it was one of the pioneers in computerised quality control.

Rapiprop, a joint venture between Capespan, Total Produce plc and the Cape Empowerment Trust, owns and operates farms in South Africa. The organisation buys farms that are good investments, secures strategic supply of fruit and will play an important empowerment role in future.

Brian Mackinnon, the managing director of Rapiprop said that at the outset there will be an emphasis on the continued redevelopment of certain orchards.

ENDS

For further information, please contact Brian Mackinnon on +27-21-917-2607 or brian_mackinnon@capespan.co.za

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