COMPANY FOCUS
Bühler celebrates years in South Africa On March 18, 2022, Bühler celebrated its 50th anniversary of establishing its business in South Africa. The country is of particular importance to Bühler for its customers and Bühler plans to expand its business in South Africa as well as to other African nations. To commemorate the anniversary, a special event celebrating milestones and special memories between Bühler, its customers and staff - was held in Johannesburg.
B
ühler began its journey on 10
grain to consumer goods processing and
January 1972, when Bühler MIAG
advanced material processing solutions.
South Africa was registered in
Stefan Scheiber, Bühler CEO, says, “South
Johannesburg. René Schneider founded
Africa is, a country with particularly
the joint company and Hans Widmer was
important customers, both local family-
appointed the managing director, and
companies and leading regional and
the offices moved to the Raschers corner
global brands. Therefore, a local presence,
in the central district of Johannesburg.
with local experts is key to secure our
As the company grew, a workspace of
business, now and in the future.”
Rand Steel Engineering in Booysens
Harry Bloechlinger, managing director,
was purchased. In 1976, Bühler MIAG
Bühler Southern Africa, says, “We partner
expanded its offerings and leased a
with the biggest FMCG companies all over
workshop in Wadeville, covering an
Southern Africa. FMCG companies are the
area of about 9 250m 2 on a 24 000m 2
basic pillar of the economy of the region
industrial site, which was later purchased
and together with them, we ensure food
in 1978. At the beginning, the company’s
supply to more than 200 million people.”
main activity was customer service,
Veronique Haller, deputy head of
selling spares and wear parts as well
Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland
as fluting and welding in the workshop.
in South Africa, says, “Switzerland and
Soon after, the product portfolio got
South Africa enjoy a very good economic
larger as the business grew and more
and trade relationship. That relationship
demands of customers and markets
goes back to almost a hundred years ago.
needed to be served.
We have about 100 Swiss companies that are based in South Africa, providing
FIFTY YEARS LATER
more than 220 000 jobs in total. Swiss
Now, the Johannesburg office is the
companies are not only contributing
regional headquarters for the Southern
to the growth of the South African
Africa sub region, from here Bühler
economy, but they also have a lot of
is responsible for Angola, Botswana,
different programmes in terms of skills
Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Malawi,
development, community programs,
Mozambique, Namibia, La Reunion,
and they contribute to the economic
Solomon Islands, Seychelles, Eswatini,
transformation of the country.”
South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
18
April 2022 | FOOD RE VIEW
Currently, Bühler South Africa has
Bühler Johannesburg is the central
220 employees in various departments:
contact point for all enquiries, from
project execution, finance, human
