Tag Archive for: AFGRI

AFGRI attends NAMPO to showcase active involvement in the agricultural sector. Find us in the NAMPO Hall, stand number 119 and 120!

AFGRI, the agricultural services and foods’ company, is proud to be once again be supporting NAMPO. This is our seventh consecutive year at NAMPO, which is by far the preeminent agricultural trade show on the continent. As a company that has supported agriculture for the past nine decades, AFGRI participates annually, not only to showcase the company and its service and support solutions to customers, but also to participate in the debate, which takes place through the Nation in Conversation platform.

AFGRI is also proud to be a partner to the Nation in Conversation at the NAMPO Harvest Day and will use this platform to enhance discussions on topical agricultural issues affecting our country currently, profile technology and financing, and share knowledge to the benefit of farming operations across the country. The debate will cover pertinent topics such as agriculture and its impact on the economy, and there will be discussion on Africa as well as policy. The discussions will also focus on changing the image of agriculture and the many success stories out there.

AFGRI’s stand, conveniently located in NAMPO Hall, stand number 119 and 120, will provide information on our products and services and will be manned by experienced staff able to assist with any queries NAMPO visitors may have. It will also showcase a selection of our new initiatives.

Readers are encouraged to visit our stand to enquire about our technology offerings, ease of access to account information through eAccounts, as well as the many other agricultural service offerings that AFGRI has.

Be sure to visit us – we look forward to seeing you there!

AFGRI extends service offering in the Western Cape through acquisition of Agrico mechanisation business

Agrico (Pty) Ltd has announced its intention to divest its mechanisation division, including its John Deere dealerships and other import agencies. It has agreed to sell the bulk of the division to AFGRI Equipment (Pty) Ltd as a going concern, pending regulatory approval. It intends to sell the balance of the division to other existing mechanisation dealers. The acquisition includes Agrico’s John Deere dealerships in Belville, Caledon, Ceres, Malmesbury, Moorreesburg, Piketberg, Rawsonville and Vredendal.

The purchase will be made by the AFGRI Equipment (Pty) Ltd division of AFGRI, which is the preeminent agricultural, golf and turf equipment retailer in Africa and Western Australia. It offers the world’s leading equipment brands and backs these brands with a support network of 25 strategically placed branches.

The acquisition will allow AFGRI to better service farmers in the Western Cape region and beyond, says AFGRI CEO, Chris Venter. “We are pleased with this new addition to the AFGRI group of companies, and are confident that this business is a good fit with AFGRI. It will bolster our existing product range in this market segment.”

Venter went on to welcome Agrico employees and clients into the AFGRI family and indicated that AFGRI is looking forward to a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship. There will be no retrenchments as a result of the acquisition.  “The acquisition confirms AFGRI’s commitment and role in the development and success of the John Deere brand in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa,” he went on to say.

The acquisition of the various mechanisation agencies further extends AFGRI’s national footprint to ultimately benefit its clients.

With roots extending back to 1904, Agrico has 28 branches across South Africa. “Agrico will increase its focus on its water-related business and own-manufactured products. It will strengthen its presence in all areas currently served while expanding into sub-Saharan Africa. It retains over 800 of its 990 employees and will be further investing in its South African manufacturing- and retail operations,” said Walter Andrag, CEO of Agrico.

Taking the AFGRI brand to the streets

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Brand recognition is defined as “the extent to which a consumer can correctly identify a particular product or service just by viewing the product or service’s logo, tag line, packaging or advertising campaign”. Regardless of whether it’s a car, a van, an SUV, a delivery truck, or an 18-wheeler, vehicle branding gives companies an opportunity to advertise their brand in a way that draws attention and turns heads.
 
With this in mind the AFGRI Grain Management team decided to revisit its fleet branding. The most recognisable asset of the business is the majestic silo complexes that tower above their surrounding landscapes and are virtually impossible not to notice, even from a distance.
 
“The imposing silhouette of a silo complex was the obvious choice to be used as part of the branding, along with the AFGRI logo and relevant contact details,” explains Wayne Brown, Procurement Manager for AFGRI Grain Management. “We felt this would allow the vehicles to immediately be identified as belonging to AFGRI Grain Management, while clearly representing our core business activity, namely the safe storage of grain commodities.”
 
The overwhelmingly positive responses to the new branding, from both within AFGRI and the public, is testimony that the branding is undoubtedly achieving its desired objectives of reinforcing the AFGRI brand, not only in the communities in which AFGRI Grain Management has a presence, but virtually across the entire country, by virtue of the routes and distances the fleet travels.
 
“The striking branding will most certainly also have people who weren’t previously aware of the AFGRI brand, asking questions about who AFGRI is and what other services we offer, in addition to grain storage.”

AFGRI commits to ongoing help for drought-stricken farmers during 2016

The severe drought driven by El Nino continues to grip South Africa.

Centurion, 21 January 2016 – AFGRI, a  leading agricultural solutions and food processing company, is offering additional assistance to the nation’s beleaguered farmers, both commercial and emerging. Included are AFGRI’s existing farmers as well as the small-scale farmers that form part of AFGRI’s training and mentorship programme.

Towards the end of 2015, AFGRI dedicated capacity to produce animal feed products to assist farmers during the drought period, many of which are heavily subsidised. It also continues to distribute feed products through its Hinterland retail network.

“With the drought still in effect, livestock farmers are now battling to keep their animals alive,” says AFGRI CEO, Chris Venter. “The situation has become increasingly dire, with livestock farmers in the drought-stricken areas now having no roughage for their animals to graze – in fact, the country will have virtually no roughage left by the end of the winter if the rains don’t continue. In addition to earlier support to farmers, AFGRI is donating R5 million which will be allocated to selected animal feed products to assist farmers through this difficult time.”

For assistance in this regard, farmers can call the AFGRI help-line on 012 657 5199 or visit the AFGRI website to complete the application form.

Furthermore, much-needed financial relief is being offered for the current season (August/September) through the company’s financial arm, Unigro Financial Services, by way of restructuring payment for agricultural debt through various options, including consolidating outstanding amounts into term loans for unpaid revolving credit, production and insurance accounts due during 2016, subject to the availability of security.

“For hire purchases and medium-term loan repayments payable during 2016, we will consider rescheduling the outstanding amounts over the existing period plus one year, with no interest penalties, and will also consider extension for carry-over debt due during 2016, subject to the customer’s repayment ability and the availability of security.”

“Given our nine decade history in the agricultural sector, we understand how challenging the environment is. We want to stand by our farmers and try to help as much as we can, so that we can ensure their ongoing success. The reality is that South Africa simply cannot afford to become reliant on imports if our farmers don’t continue to thrive. Our actions are in line with our commitment as an enabler to food security, and as such we have to do as much as we can to be a true agricultural partner,” Venter concludes.

– end –

 

Issued for:                          AFGRI Limited

Contact:                               Chris Venter, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Tel:                                         011-063-2007

Email:                                    chris.venter@34.255.249.49

Account:                              Keyter Rech Investor Solutions

Contact:                               Vanessa Rech                                                    Lynne Bothma

Tel:                                         087-351-3814 or 083-307-5600                    087-351-3815 or 082-920-4395

Date:                                     January 2016

 

 

AFGRI’s GroCapital releases financial App for agricultural sector

26 August 2015 – Centurion – GroCapital, part of agricultural giant AFGRI, and a provider of specialised financial solutions to the agric sector, has announced the launch of a new App that can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and iTunes for Android and iOS smartphones respectively. The App, called “GroCapital Trader”, will enable users to access local and international commodity prices, as well as various currency rates. Once the user is registered he or she will also be able to call a dealer directly from the App.

“Apps such as these are essential to our clients, the majority of who are well-informed businesspeople who like to be up to date with market price movements at any given time of the day or night, and this App meets this need,” says Praveen Dwarika, head of GroCapital.

Whilst any user can register to use / download the free App, commodity and currency prices will be delayed by between 10 and 20 minutes. However, if a user is a client of GroCapital’s, they will have full access to live data when they have registered.

Clients will need to complete a form to access the live data. “Once this is done, an additional username and password will be issued to them, which will give them full access.”

Currently around 500 downloads of the App have been recorded. ““The idea was to simplify the transaction process for GroCapital’s clients, allowing them to follow the commodity and currency markets, phone their dealer and transact immediately.”

Dwarika adds that although the App can be used by the general public, there is a slight delay on the prices for non-registered users.

“So far the reaction from clients has been extremely positive, and we’re confident that use of the App will continue to grow, given the convenience it offers users.”

 

Contact:                               Praveen Dwarika, Managing Director: GroCapital

Tel:                                         011-063-2454

Email:                                    praveendwarika@grocapital.co.za

Website:                              new.afgri.antsneversleep.com

Account:                              Keyter Rech Investor Solutions

Contact:                               Vanessa Rech                                                    Lynne Bothma

Tel:                                         087-351-3814 or 083-307-5600                    087-351-3815 or 082-920-4395

Date:                                     26 August 2015

Vodacom Bulls Fitness Report – presented by Medihelp

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Visagie, Ndungane to miss Force clash

Vodacom Bulls hooker Callie Visagie and wing Akona Ndungane has been ruled of out action for this weekend’s Vodacom Super Rugby match against the Western Force at Loftus Versfeld, it was confirmed on Monday.

Ndungane has in fact been ruled out for a month after he broke his hand, while Visagie will miss the clash against the Perth side due to a chest injury.

Jacques-Louis Potgieter, who missed the last match against the Toyota Cheetahs due to a hamstring strain, will train on Tuesday and should be fit to be considered for the weekend.

Vodacom Blue Bulls flanker Roelof Smit meanwhile injured his ankle against the Leopards XV and will be out of action for between one and two weeks.

 









 

AFGRI sponsors Blue Bulls rugby

Vodacom Blue Bulls - AFGRI Jersey Handover

AFGRI, the leading South African agricultural services and diversified foods group, announced on 29 January 2014 their active participation in the sponsorship of Blue Bulls rugby in South Africa.

Chris Venter, CEO of AFGRI, said at an official Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd press conference today that AFGRI is pleased to be associated with a winning culture.

Blue Bulls CEO Barend van Graan is pleased to welcome AFGRI on board

“I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the AFGRI team to the Vodacom Bulls family. We look forward to working with you both on the field and off as we strive to grow and improve the game on a professional level as well as community development level by creating opportunities for young rugby players.”

AFGRI draws its history in South Africa back 90 years and so too the Blue Bulls are no strangers to transformation, tenacity and a fighting spirit. The Blue Bulls hold no less than 23 ABSA Currie Cup titles in South Africa and three titles in the Super Rugby competition which has been in place since 1996. This approach to winning appeals to AFGRI since the sponsorship will also contribute towards sport, player and community development some of AFGRI’s areas of operation.