Well known SA ostrich businesses merge
2 February 2004
Exotan, the exotic leather tannery in Port Elizabeth and Camdeboo Meat Processors an EU approved abattoir based in Graaff-Reinet merged on January 1, 2004. The new venture will be known in future as Camexo SA Ltd. 'It made business sense to merge the two companies, as the new company will be able to offer a better service to our clients and farmer producers' said Hennie Roets, managing director of Camexo SA Ltd, 'although Exotan had a stake in Camdeboo, our clients have had to deal with two different companies for the meat as well as the skins.' The merger will make it possible to reduce operating costs arising from synergies in the various administration & production departments. Camdeboo Meat Processors are well known for their production of ostrich meat products and are known as one of the biggest processors of venison meat products such as springbok, kudu and zebra. Exotan on their part are a well known SABS ISO 9001 approved manufacturer and marketer of exotic leathers from ostrich, elephant, buffalo and hippo. The strong rand and weak worldwide economies have had a negative impact on the ostrich Industry in the past year. However, senior management believe that Camexo, in their new combined form, can continue to contribute in a positive manner to the economy of the Eastern Cape. Camexo will be a subsidiary of Courthiel Holdings (Pty) Ltd, which is owned by the well known German businessman, Claas Daun. Camexo are proud to be able to draw on more than 100 years of combined industry experience from their management. The Camexo executive management team will be as follows: Hennie Roets; Jerome Ingenhoes, director leather marketing; Piet Neethling, director meat marketing and manager Camdeboo Meat Processors; David Boast, technical director leather; Hannes Jacobs, financial director. Producers who are interested in marketing their ostriches or game are encouraged to contact the following persons: Errol Walton at +27 41 402-8000 or Paul Jordaan at 0833631738 (ostriches); Piet Neethling at +27 49 8910622 (game).
