Firm sets eyes on growing its investments

By JOHN OYUKE

Wrigleys, the global confectionery company, has announced plans to increase its investment in Kenya in a new drive meant to grow its leadership position in the regional chewing gum market.

The firm’s sole regional factory is in Kenya and serves East, Southern and Western Africa, making the country an important investment arena.

Wrigleys’ President Dushan Petrovich said the expansion would help drive its global growth and spur job opportunities in the country.

"Kenya is home to the only Wrigleys factory in Africa and is therefore a key hub for us not only serving the local market but also the region," he said.

BOOST ACCESS

Petrovich was speaking when he launched a Sh40 million health initiative on boosting access of safe water and sanitation in Nairobi.

The initiative targeted at schools is in partnership with Save the Children, an international Non-Governmental Organisation.

It will also promote uptake of healthy behaviours and practices, including oral care, among schoolchildren, teachers and parents.

Petrovich said the firm’s business size is about Sh2 billion and have over 45,000 trade customers in Kenya and a factory that employs 160 people.

"As a business we face various challenges but we see great potential not only locally but also in the region, and Kenya is very important for us," he said.

Wrigley East Africa located in Industrial Area, supplies countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Ghana and Nigeria among others.

Wrigleys has operations in more than 40 countries and distributes its world-famous brands in more than 180 countries.

ECONOMIC PRODUCTIVITY

The company will support approximately 25 formal primary schools benefiting an estimated 17,200 children in Nairobi and Kiambu District aged between 6-14 years through high-impact school health and nutrition interventions.

"We are proud to be working with Save the Children on this programme, which is vital to the social and economic productivity of communities," said Petrovich.

He said these programmes would also provide the firm’s associates an opportunity to get involved in their communities, and by interacting with young children in Kenya’s schools.