Baker’s Inn opens US$30 million plant in Bulawayo

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

Innscor Africa subsidiary, Baker’s Inn, has opened a US$30 million plant in Belmont, Bulawayo as efforts to revive industry in Zimbabwe’s second city continue.

Bulawayo used to be the hub of Zimbabwe’s manufacturing industry before a difficult operating environment forced the closure of several entities about two decades ago.

The plant, which is fully automated, has the capacity to produce 8 000 loaves of bread per hour, running 24 hours a day, reducing waste and fuel costs while eliminating transporting bread from Harare to Bulawayo.

Officially commissioning the plant in Bulawayo today, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, expressed his joy over the developments by Baker’s Inn, which adds value and progress to the national economy through provision of services as well as employment.

President Mnangagwa also commended the machinery, noting that it is in the grade of first world equipment.

“With regards to Baker’s Inn, I am extremely impressed. This is state-of-the-art machinery, which you find can find anywhere in the first world. I am happy that the Second Republic has a trajectory to become a first world economy. With this, where in the world can you get better infrastructure that this, nowhere!!, so we are on a march, our trajectory is way up,” said President Mnangagwa.

Innscor Africa Chairman, Addington Chinake, revealed that the new plant has a reduced workforce working around it. However, it utilises over 90 trucks daily on deliveries, guaranteeing a delivery network of over 6 000 individuals that include retailers, vendors among others in the region.

“Baker's Inn Automated Plant employs not more than 20 employees and utilises a fleet of 91 trucks that travel over 14 000km daily. The delivery network guarantees nearly 6 000 individuals, vendors and retailers across the region earn a living,” Chinake said.

Baker’s Inn has revealed plans to increase production and more efficiency through commissioning a second plan in the near future.