Cape Town, 30 May 2018
JSE-listed Quantum Foods, whose share price increased by 69% during the past 12 months, appointed AWCape to migrate the accounting systems of the group's African operations to Sage 300 (Accpac).
Gerhard Basson, Technical Finance Manager at Quantum Foods, stated: "The group's African operations outgrew the capabilities of our previous decentralised accounting system a few years ago, and we decided on the evaluation and deployment of a central system that would be hosted in South Africa, being able to support a structure of reporting to head office in Wellington (Western Cape) with provision for multiple currencies and multiple divisions, spread out over Africa, initially starting with Zambia and Uganda.
"In particular, a system was needed that would accommodate our requirement for divisional cost management, with matching detail and reporting capabilities, all assisting in the group's drive for improved focus on business efficiency."
Quantum Foods has experience in doing business in Africa since 1996 and has sold livestock in Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, Angola, Zambia, Uganda and Tanzania. Today Quantum Foods has operating businesses in Zambia, Uganda and Mozambique. The African operations continue to grow and currently contribute 5% to the group's revenue.
Zambia
Quantum Foods Zambia commenced operations in 1997. Operations are conducted in two areas in the country, namely Lusaka and Chingola. In Lusaka, there is a parent breeding facility, a hatchery, a feed mill and a small laying facility. Quantum Foods Zambia's major egg operation is located near Chingola in the Copperbelt and operates under the Mega Eggs brand.
Uganda
Quantum Foods Uganda commenced operations in 2000 and currently operates three farms located near Kampala, and a commercial rearing and layer-egg farm in the Masindi area, north-west of Kampala. The Kampala farms comprise a parent breeding facility, a hatchery and a feed mill. The Masindi farm includes a feed mill, layer rearing and egg laying facility.
Mozambique
The business comprises a table egg business located near Maputo, which supplies both the retail and informal markets. The business was acquired in September 2016.
Basson further commented: "The selection process for a future accounting system revealed Sage 300's scalability which was an important consideration for future growth.
"Quantum Foods was also satisfied with AWCape's in-depth knowledge and experience of Sage 300 with a well-documented track record for success. The implementation went "live "in October 2017 and Quantum Foods is satisfied with on-going training and support that is rendered by AWCape's team of Sage 300 certified consultants."
AWCape has also been commissioned to supply Quantum Foods Uganda with a Sage VIP Premier Payroll solution, which is scheduled for going "live" by June 2018.
AWCape's Chief Executive Officer Henri Hattingh commented: "Our decision to focus on Sage 300 for larger businesses, and in particularly those who venture into Africa, has been very productive. It is our experience that Sage 300, previously branded as Accpac, is the most mature, stable and flexible accounting solution for medium to large businesses operating in Africa.
"AWCape is uniquely positioned to support businesses with turnover in excess of R1 billion, and since we now include the fully integrated Sage 300 People HR and Payroll in our product and service offerings, we are able to offer an end-to-end business systems solution.
"It is also encouraging to find that Sage has continued with further development and modernisation of Sage 300. This has helped companies such as Quantum Foods understand that more flexible and more efficient business systems help them to be lean, competitive, and agile in today's competitive environment."
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