Clover (dairy)


Clover Industries Limited is a branded foods and beverages group, listed on the main board of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange as of 14 December 2010.
The Group produces and distributes a diverse range of dairy and consumer products to customers and consumers through one of the largest and most extensive distribution networks in South Africa.

History

Clover's history began in 1898 with a series of meetings among a group of farmers in the lush pastures of the Natal Midlands.
1898 – Farmers meet in Mooi River to discuss the establishment of a butter factory. At follow-up meetings the name Natal Creamery Ltd and co-operative principles are approved.
1899 – Joseph Baynes starts the first butter factory in Natal on his farm Nel's Rust. Due to the absence of proper legal channels to register a co-operative, Natal Creamery Ltd is registered under the Natal Companies Act and H Blaker is appointed as the first chairman.
1901 – The first reference is made to Model Dairy as a partnership between Natal Creamery Ltd and Joseph Baynes Ltd for the marketing of fresh milk in Durban. This partnership breaks up in October 1901.
1902 – Milk distribution by Natal Creamery Ltd commences in Pietermaritzburg.
1903 – Milk is dispatched to Johannesburg on a daily basis and Natal Creamery Ltd decides to investigate the Johannesburg milk industry.
1906 – Natal Creamery Ltd takes over the Johannesburg Milk Supply Company Ltd.
1908 – Heilbron Government Creamery is established.
1923 – Natal Creamery Ltd is registered under the Co-operatives Societies Act of 1922.
1932 – By 1932 Natal Creamery Ltd is operating in 32 centres countrywide.
1934 – The operation of a 100% co-operative style system is approved and the name Natal
Creamery Ltd is changed to National Co-operative Dairies Ltd.
1994 – Clover S.A. Ltd is established.
1995 – Clover S.A. Ltd and Compagnie Gervais Danone join forces as joint venture partners.
1997 – Clover Holdings Ltd is established to act as a holding company for Clover S.A. Ltd.
1998 – Danone and Clover S.A. Ltd form the Danone Clover Ltd joint venture.
2003 – The conversation of National Co-operative Dairies Ltd from a co-operative to a public company took place during November 2003. A name change to Clover Industries Ltd was also approved during a series of special general meetings. The dynamics incorporated in Clover Industries Ltd in respect of ordinary shares exercising control and preferential shared being freely tradable, opens a new era for the Group. Clover S.A. Ltd and Danone form the Clover Danone Beverages Ltd joint venture.
2004 – Clover Holdings Ltd is unbundled. Clover Industries Ltd is the new holding company of Clover S.A. Ltd, one of the largest branded consumer goods companies in South Africa, South Africa's largest dairy company and one of the leading manufacturers and marketers of food products in South Africa.
2005 – Hosken Consolidated Investments Ltd acquires a 25.1% shareholding in Clover Industries Ltd as a BBBEE partner.
2006 – Clover S.A. Ltd and Fonterra Ltd of New Zealand form the Clover Fonterra Ingredients Ltd joint venture.
2007 – Hosken Consolidated Investments Ltd, the BBBEE partner, exercises its option to increase its ordinary shareholding to 34.9% and Clover S.A. Ltd buys 39.8% of the shares in Clover Danone Beverages Ltd from Danone. The company's name is changed to Clover Beverages Ltd.
2008 – Danone Clover Ltd acquires a 70% interest in Mayo Dairy Ltd.
2009 – Deconsolidation/Recapitalisation of Danone Clover Ltd.
2010 – Clover sells its 45% shareholding in Danone Clover Ltd to Danone and commences with the capital restructuring of Clover Industries Limited. Removal of the condition that only milk producers may hold ordinary shares and de-linking the ordinary share from milk supply. Repurchase of 34.9% ordinary shares from Hosken Consolidated Investments Ltd. Conversion of preference shares to debt-only instruments. Clover Industries Limited was listed on the main board of the JSE Limited on 14 December 2010.
2011 – Buy-out of the non-controlling interest in Clover Beverages Limited and the subsequent transfer of the non-alcoholic beverages business to Clover SA.
2012 – Bought the Real Juice Co. Holdings Ltd from AVI Limited. Acquired the minority interest in Clover Botswana Ltd and Clover Manhattan Ltd respectively.
2013 – Clover Waters Ltd is created resulting in the expansion of Clover's portfolio of value-added and branded beverage products. Clover is associated with global brands such as Nestlé Purelife and Nestea which opens up opportunities in the sub-Saharan market.
2014 – Clover Futurelife joint venture is established to launch a functional dairy based product. Various other initiatives are currently being explored.

Business

Today, Clover is a branded consumer goods and products group operating in South Africa and other selected African countries in:
• The production of dairy and non-alcoholic beverages;
• The distribution of chilled and ambient consumer products; and
• The sales and merchandising of fast-moving consumer goods
Clover was converted from a co-operative society into a public company in 2003.
Clover implemented a capital restructuring on 31 May 2010, which was a milestone in its corporate development and resulted in both economic benefits and voting control vesting in the ordinary shares. In addition, the delinking of the ordinary shares from the milk delivery agreements enabled persons other than dairy producers to acquire ordinary shares, facilitating its ability to raise equity capital. Capital scarcity has historically been a key constraint for Clover's growth and development.

Key People

board of directors of Clover Industries Limited

W.I. Büchner : non-executive director
N.A. Smith: non-executive director
P.R. Griffin: non-executive director
T.A. Wixley : Independent non-executive director
S.F. Booysen : Independent non-executive director
J.N.S. Du Plessis : Independent non-executive director
N.V. Mokhesi: Independent non-executive director
B. Ngonyama: Independent non-executive director

Executive Directors

J.H. Vorster : Executive Director
E.R. Bosch : Executive Director

Executive Management

J.H. Vorster: Chief Executive
F. Scheepers: chief financial officer
J.H.F. Botes : Executive: Commercial
D. Lubbe: Executive: Supply Chain
M.M. Palmaro: Executive: Corporate & Brand Development
J. van Heerden: Executive: Legal, Secretarial