5 Interesting Grahamstown Industries
Wednesday, 5th February 2014
Grahamstown and the Makana District, as an educational and festival hub, has never really been associated with a huge manufacturing industry but there are some really innovative and world-class companies providing much needed employment and revenue to our area.
Makana Brick
Formed in 1994, Makana Brick has grown to become one of the largest clay brick suppliers in the region, and is one of the most technologically advanced clay brick plants in the country, producing a full range of clay brick products, including face bricks, stock bricks and pavers. ww.makanabrick.co.za. Tel: +27 (0)46 603 6300.
T. Birch and Company (Pty) Ltd
“Birch’s” is a leading stockist of menswear. They are also specialist school outfitters and the official designers and robe- makers to most tertiary institutions, churches, the legal fraternity, and Mayors and Town Councilors in South Africa and neighbouring States. Established 147 years ago this company still occupies its original Victorian building in High Street. www.birchs.co.za . Tel: +27 (0)46 622 7010.
AquaCulture Innovations
Aquaponics is the farming of fish and plants in a single recirculating system. The waste from the fish becomes the nutrients for the plants, and the plants in turn remove these nutrients from the water, purifying it for the fish. In this way, the fish waste is used to grow a plant crop that becomes a second income stream for little extra cost. In fact, it works so well that the plants become the primary crop by volume and value. Courses are offered which attract participants from all over the world. www.aquaafrica.co.za. Tel: +27 (0)46 622 3690
Makana Meadery
Grahamstown Brewery Pty (Ltd), trading as Makana Meadery was founded in 2000 with the primary objective of placing a South African honey-based and alcoholic beverage, iQhilika on the world's shelves. www.iqhilika.co.za. Mobile: +27 (0)83 319 0369
Peppadew (Cherry Pepper) Factory
Peppadew is the brand name of sweet piquanté peppers discovered in 1993 in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This particular business processes and bottles this delicious fruit right here in Grahamstown. Tel: +27 (0)46 622 8765
With the exception of the Peppadew Factory, all the other businesses will allow small groups of people to view their operations provided prior arrangement has been made with the individual CEOs and/or Managers.
If you have an interesting business in Grahamstown or surrounding areas, drop me an email with a description of what you do and I will feature you in my next Tourism Newsletter – director@grahamstown.co.za.
