Nigeria economic downturn prompted massive local inputs in our production – Grand Oak

Fatai Odesile, Managing Director, Grand Oak Limited which is one of subsidiaries of Lexcel Group has declared that timely backward integration system adopted by the Group to source raw materials locally in accordance with Federal Government Plan, sustain the existence of the Group and all its alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands.

The Managing Director explained that the suspension of raw materials imports from India, Brazil and other countries of the world and sourcing of raw materials locally, had been a blessing to continued existence of the Group and all its brands, creating more job opportunities, wealth and contributing largely to the country’s gross domestic product.

Speaking at rebirth of one of its brands; Regal Dry Gin, which held at Park Inn by Radisson Hotels in Abeokuta over the weekend, Odesile said, “One of the smart things that Nigeria Distilleries and Grand Oak did and this was done some ten years ago, we recognize that the way the world is going, one determinant of spirit business is alcohol.

“And before, we were all importing alcohol from India, Brazil and other countries of the world, therefore, Nigeria Distilleries set up the first African Cassava-based Ethanol Plant in Igbesa and today, we are not importing ethanol and we also control the quality of ethanol that we use.

“So, when people are shouting economic recession, Grand Oak and all subsidiaries are very much in the business, Regal Dry Gin is bouncing back, that is one of the critical success parts”, he concluded.

Also, Niyi Babatunde, Brand Manager, Grand Oak Limited noted that not only the content of Regal Dry Gin and other products is sourced locally, saying that packaging materials and labels are also sourced locally as part of effort to boost Nigerian economy and provide direct and indirect employment opportunities for large number of unemployed Nigerians.

He said, “Talking about local content, in term of packaging materials, even caps, they are sourced locally. You can see the properly designed Ankara caps to show Nigerian and African culture. Before, we used to bring in caps and packaging materials, but now, we are sourcing them locally. There is a lot of local content that gone in development of Regal brand.”

BusinessDay however, reports that Regal Dry Gin was relaunched at a funfair-filled event organised by Grand Oak Limited at Park Inn by Radisson Hotels in Abeokuta with local fruit extracts such as caraway, lime and berries to align with Nigerian and African culture and lifestyle, having appointed ace Nollywood actor, Femi Adebayo as Regal Dry Gin Ambassador.

 

RAZAQ AYINLA