The 1 900-square-metre facility, built at a cost of N$9,5 million, is more than double the size of the company's original Oshakati premises and will service the liquor trade in the north of the country, as well as in southern Angola.

Distell Group Managing Director Jan Scannell said the establishment of the centre was a signal of his company's confidence not only in the national economy, but also in the Oshana Region.

"This is a clear indication of the region's potential and we look forward to continued increased economic activity here," he said.

According to the company, since its opening last October, the Oshakati distribution centre has seen sales volumes increase 27 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year.

Scannell said the performance of the Oshakati facility was consistent with the solid growth shown by the company's Namibian operations, which had succeeded in doubling turnover in the three years from 2002 to 2005, when it reached N$289 million.

He stressed that the desire to grow sales was always matched by company initiatives to promote the responsible consumption of alcohol.

"Educational drives designed to encourage moderate consumption of alcohol are an essential component of our corporate social investment."

Distell Namibia, established in 1979 as a wholesale distributor of wines, spirits and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, employs over 100 locals.

The company's trademarks include Amarula Cream Liqueur, South Africa's biggest international liquor brand, as well as Richelieu brandy and Sedgwick's Old Brown Sherry, Hunter's and Savanna natural ciders, Tassenberg, Autumn Harvest Crackling, Graca, JC le Roux, Nederburg and Zonnenbloem wines.

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