NIGERIA – Nigeria’s alcoholic beverages manufacturer, Guinness Nigeria has received Mandatory Conformity Assessment Scheme (MANCAP) certification for 24 of its products from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Guinness Nigeria Plc was commended for adherence to good manufacturing practices and high standards to provide assurance to consumers and guarantee compliance, reports Beverage Industry News.

The maker of Foreign Extra Stout and Harp Lager beer was acknowledged as one of the largest and renowned standard bearers in the manufacture of alcoholic, non-alcoholic beverage and spirits on the African continent.

The Director-General (DG) of SON, Mr Osita Abloma commended the company’s consistency in maintaining its certification to the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Standards (ISO 14001), describing it as a proud ambassador of products and systems quality.

He asked Guinness not to relent in providing technical and institutional support for standards development and harmonisation in Nigeria and across the African continent through active participation in working group and technical committee meetings.

Welcoming the SON team, Guinness Managing Director/Chief Executive, Baker Magunda, acknowledged the invaluable support and guidance of SON to the company over many decades, in ensuring the steady growth and expansion of its equity through diligent standards application and promotion of international best practices.

He reiterated the company’s commitment to continual improvement in its products and service offerings, stressing that Guinness Nigeria cherishes its partnership.

During the Q1 2018/2019 financial year, Guinness Nigeria reported a 6% decline in its net sales attributed to increased competition in the value beer segment, that more than offset growth across the rest of the business.

The company noted that its increase in profit before tax was driven by lower finance charges, as a result of the US$110.5 million rights issue, which more than offset operating profit decline in the company’s challenging operating environment.

It has in the recent past expressed delight over the steady growth and expansion of its equity over many decades through diligent standards application and promotion of international best practices.

Guinness Nigeria, a subsidiary of Diageo Plc of the United Kingdom, was incorporated in 1962 and became the first Guinness operation outside Ireland and Great Britain.

This month, the company announced the appointment of Professor Fabian Ajogwu, SAN and Mr. Paul Gallagher to its Board as Non-Executive Directors.