NAMIBIA – The Ohlthaver & List Group has acquired a 60% stake in Hartlief Corporation Limited, a meat producer, a move that is in line with the group’s 2025 corporate strategy.
This majority stake ownership has received approval from the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC).
Ohlthaver & List Group (O&L) made this announcement at a media briefing, describing the move as upping its stake in the meat industry. Additionally, they aim to create 10 000 jobs by 2025, as part of their corporate strategy.
Speaking at the event, O&L executive chairman Sven Thieme said the group is taking the next step in fulfilling its 2025 vision of being a catalyst of positive change.
He said: “This is by investing into the future and delivering new realities for Namibia at large. This investment allows us to consolidate opportunities within Hartlief and Windhoek Schlachterei, enabling Namibia to compete with the best in the world, bringing Namibian goodness to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and beyond.”
Hartlief, which was owned by Christo van Niekerk, the chairman of the corporation, has a seven-decade track record in the country.
Meanwhile, Van Niekerk said he agreed to the merger to allow continuity and growth of the Hartlief business, adding that the two brands are Namibian and share similar values and beliefs.
“The long merger application process between the O&L Group and Hartlief Corporation has finally come to an end with an official approval by the NaCC for O&L to purchase the controlling shareholding,” he said.
He added that he believes this merger will allow for the realisation of unique synergies between these two long-standing Namibian businesses to the benefit of not only the shareholders and employees, but also the nation as a whole.
“A new and exciting chapter is about to unfold in the meat industry of Namibia. I trust that the tradition of manufacturing a uniquely Namibian continental processed meat product will continue and be the source of great pride for all those involved in this great business,” the chairman said.
Speaking at the event, O&L Group’s chief executive officer Wessie van der Westhuizen said the move is in line with O&L’s aim to create the next Namibian opportunity for manufacturing, value addition and job creation.
Echoing Thieme’s sentiments, Van der Westhuizen noted that the above requires them to consolidate and build sustainable and scalable Namibian operations that can compete in the global market.
The Ohlthaver & List Group has business interests in food production, fishing, beverages, farming, retail trade, information technology, property leasing and development, renewable power generation, marine engineering, steel retailing, advertising and the leisure and hospitality industry.
