Tunacor delays factory opening

Tunacor fisheries limited has postponed the opening of its 4 000 square metre horse mackerel value-addition factory as the company struggles sourcing specialised equipment and specialised technicians to commission machinery.

The construction of the country’s first solar-operated fishing processing factory started last year and was expected to be operational last month.

Tunacor’s general manager Peya Hitula said the initial plan was to have the factory completed by May, but this has now been postponed to August. 

“We have local and foreign technicians working on the project. The local technicians are currently busy. Those from outside are unable to come into the country as a result of travelling restrictions,” he said.   

Hitula said the solar roof of the factory and the cold store are complete and have been  commissioned. 

“We are now working on the factory area,” he said.

During the groundbreaking ceremony last year the company announced once the factory is completed an additional 250 workers will be recruited. 

Hitula said the Tunacor group is also looking at recruiting an additional 350 former Namsov employees.

“Our group currently employs 2 430 employees and we have agreed with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine resources to employ an additional amount of 350 former Namsov employees. The process is managed by the ministry, and we will employ them as soon as they have finalised such a process,” said Hitula.

A reduction in quotas in 2014 led to massive job losses at Namsov. This has also resulted in then majority shareholder Bidvest selling the company off to the Tunacor group.  

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