‘Why we’re repackaging our products’
By SEYE OJO
Friday, December 25, 2009
The Fan Milk Plc, a foremost frozen dairy company, recently introduced new packages of Fanice ice cream into the Nigerian markets. The products were launched in grand style at the Polo Club in Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
The new easy-to-scoop packages came in 150mls cup, cones, four litres tub, in addition to the existing half litre, one litre, two litres, sachet range, 500mls and 1000mls in Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Banana and other flavours.
In his welcome address, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Jens Erick Mollenbach, described the launching as a dream come true after 46 years of the company’s operation in the country. He explained that the product was re-packaged to make it affordable and available to all lovers of quality ice cream without compromising quality. The ice cream, he declared, was re-formulated to give greater pleasure and satisfaction to the consumers.
“I am really excited to unveil our new Fanice Ice cream range which is a result of many hours of research and development. Fan Milk’s products are classified into dairy and drinks. The diary products include: superyogo, fanyogo, strawberry yogo, franchoco and Fanice-ice cream. The non-diary products include: Fan lollies, tampico drinks in several flavours, Fanjuice apple and tropical,” he stated.
Mollenbach stated that the mission of Fan Milk is to be a leading manufacturer and marketer of healthy, nutritious and safe dairy and food products at affordable prices.
He also revealed that the company has expanded its ice cream production capacity with 400 percent from 1, 000 litres to over 6, 000 litres per hour in order to serve Nigerians better.
While urging the government to fix the problem in the power sector, he noted with concern that the cost of running generators as an alternative power supply has continued to have serious impact on the company’s production capacity and bottom-line.
“The weather is an uncontrollable variable we have had to grapple with, especially during the rainy season. We usually experience very low sales during this season. Heavy levies are imposed on our vehicles at various checkpoints in the country. Fan Milk has, however, continued to make frantic efforts to ensure its continued growth amidst these challenges.
“Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is to be a socially responsible corporate citizen by creating employment and income generating opportunities and contributing to the enrichment of the Nigerian people, while ensuring a working environment where employees can develop constantly.”
After the address, Mollenbach launched the repackaged products officially into the Nigerian market. The guests were given a big treat as they were permitted to scoop ice as much as they wanted. The memory of the occasion will linger on for a long time in the minds of the children that graced the occasion.
Mr. Yinka Akinkugbe, a member of the Board of Directors of the company and the managers, Mrs. Anthonia Okwor (Marketing), Mrs. Doyin Bolu (Human Resource), Mrs. Victoria Madu (National Sales Manager), Mrs. Oyekemi Wilson (Corporate Affairs) and others also assisted Mollenbach during the event.
Mrs. Wilson, however, told Daily Sun that the popular demand from the consumers of Fan Milk products prompted the company to embark on the packaging of all its 500mls range of drink products. This, she said, would enable the new and old consumers of Fanice ice cream and other products of the company to have access to the products.
The Fan Milk Plc is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of frozen dairy products that began business in Nigeria in 1963 with a dairy factory in Ibadan and distribution centre in Lagos. Forty-six years after, the company has over 40 depots that cover many Nigerian cities. It started with less than 30 people but now has about 500 staff.
