On a typical cold and rainy June day in Cape Town, close to 2 000 children will be receiving some welcome midwinter cheer thanks to a serving of fresh fruit each, courtesy of Dole South Africa.
This forms part of our long-standing support for vulnerable communities in our immediate vicinity. On this occasion, oranges from our Western Cape farms will be delivered to 17 organisations under the banner of Brackenfell-based Shiloh Synergy.
Above left: Managing Director Hannes Nieuwoudt celebrating 25 years of business in South Africa. Top centre: The Dole South Africa Finance team. Top right: Dole South Africa management. Above right: Dole South Africa staff gather to celebrate on the day.
“Some milestones deserve to be celebrated,” said Hannes Nieuwoudt, Dole South Africa’s Managing Director, as the company celebrated its 25th anniversary on Monday 13 March 2023.
In reflecting on the past 25 years team members recalled that the timing for Dole in South Africa could not have been better. It was the tail-end of the 1990s and, with a world already looking towards the new millennium, the South African fruit environment was emerging from a chequered past back into the global fold. Deregulation was at last opening up the local fruit industry to international players, Dole Food Company among them.
And so the story of Dole South Africa began, with the appointment of Benoit Galland as its Managing Director in March 1998.
A quarter of a century later, Hannes Nieuwoudt has paid tribute to all those colleagues who were part of the Dole family in the early years. “Our people are our biggest investment and we are thankful that we have such a dedicated team who carry the torch for Dole every day,” he said. “Without the support of this incredible group, we would not be able to service our producers and business partners.”
Reflecting further on its history, Nieuwoudt acknowledges Dole’s grower base, customers and service providers. “We have growers who have walked the road with us for 25 years. This is quite an achievement.
“It is therefore particularly gratifying to celebrate this year with colleagues, growers, customers and service providers who have been with the company for so many years.”
Along with colleagues at Dole SA’s head office in Cape Town, Nieuwoudt raised a glass “… to many more fruitful years of business in South Africa and to celebrate the Then and the Now”.
Team Dole SA is in Berlin at the world’s leading trade show for the global fresh produce business, Fruit Logistica. The show has returned to Messe Berlin, Germany in its original format since 2020.
With around 2 600 exhibitors from 92 countries including partners in the fresh produce value chain, it is the place to meet and engage with existing and potential stakeholders.
“As FRUIT LOGISTICA, we bring the right people together, provide the industry with the latest information, and offer a platform for the latest innovations.” – Kai Mangelberger, the event’s director.
Fruit Logistica in 2023 has once again presented an opportunity for key role players to meet under one roof, bringing the right people together and providing the industry with the most relevant information. The fresh produce environment has faced some challenges over the past two years – increasing inflation costs, lower consumer spending and continued disruption in the supply chain. The team from Dole South Africa has joined the international plaform at this important global event.
Bottom left, from left to right: Patrick Bird (Director Citrus), Martin le Roux (Product Manager) and Gerhard Fourie (Business Manager: Supply Chain).
Top centre, from left to right: Martin le Roux (Product Manager) and Gerhard Fourie (Business Manager: Supply Chain).
Bottom right, from left to right: Andy Zhang (Dole Representative in China), Karen Potgieter (Commercial Sales Manager) and Anton Gouws (Business Manager: Commercial).
