‎By Maxwell Mapungwana
‎MARONDERA — Bread manufacturer Proton is investing US$12 million to expand its production capacity in Marondera, and create 300 new jobs as the company responds to growing demand and improved economic activity.
Proton commands a 20 percent share of the national bread market and is expanding its production facilities owing to the country’s positive economic growth.
The investment is expected to strengthen the company’s position in the market while creating jobs. Proton currently employs about 1,600 people directly across its manufacturing, maintenance and sales operations nationwide.
‎In addition, the company supports an estimated 200 indirect jobs through security services, contractors, consultants and other service providers. The planned expansion will add 300 more employees, including production workers and sales personnel.
‎He also highlighted efforts to improve workplace diversity, saying women currently make up about 20 percent of its workforce.
‎Briefing journalists on Thursday who are on a media tour facilitated by the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Proton Bakers managing director, Spiros Tselentis said the expansion will increase the company’s daily bread production capacity from the current 180,000 loaves to between 260,000 and 270,000 loaves by the end of the year.
‎Speaking about the company’s operations, Spiros said all of its manufacturing is carried out in Marondera, while distribution is supported by depots in Harare and Bulawayo.
‎On raw material sourcing, he said it relies entirely on locally produced flour supplied by three Zimbabwean millers — Edurate Investments in Marondera, Mega Milling in Mutare and Victoria Foods, a CFI affiliate based in Harare.
‎”Our main focus is quality. We constantly work with our suppliers to ensure they provide the best quality products at the most competitive prices,” he said.
‎Despite the expansion, Tselentis said the company has no immediate plans to invest in flour milling, preferring instead to focus on its core business of bread manufacturing.
‎”We do not mill our own flour, and at the moment we have no intention of integrating milling capacity. We would rather specialise in what we know best, and we already have reliable supplies of quality flour.”
