Key Takeaways

  • Cape Fruit Coolers (CFC) has opened a state-of-the-art cold-storage facility at Richmond Park, which began trading in April 2019.
  • The facility currently handles 5,000 pallets, with plans to increase capacity to 12,000 pallets, servicing the fruit export and cold sterilization markets.
  • Richmond Park was selected for its strategic location on the N7 corridor, providing easy access to production areas across South Africa, Namibia, and the Cape Town harbor.
  • The first phase of the 10,000 m² facility is complete, with a second phase of equal size planned to commence within the next three years.
  • Cape Fruit Coolers (CFC) was one of the first three companies to be signed up at Richmond Park, Atterbury’s biggest Western Cape project to date; and took transfer in June 2017. Today the facility is open for business. Atterbury’s Western Cape development manager, Arno du Plessis, shared the background.

When did CFC start trading from the building? What is the building primarily used for?
Cape Fruit Coolers services the fruit export and cold steri markets. The fruit handled is citrus, grape, apple, pear and subtropical produce.

Trading commenced in April 2019 with a shipment of soft citrus to the USA. Initially the facility has capacity to handle 5 000 pallets but will ultimately be increased to 12 000 pallets. The entire warehouse facility is cooled and have various cooling rooms ranging providing cooling capabilities ranging from ambient down to -5° C.

Remind us – what is the extent of what has gone up in terms of sqm coverage?
The facility consists of two phases of around 10 000 sqm each. The first phase is now completed and operational as explained above, and the development of the second phase should commence in the next three years.

Have you had positive feedback from the owners of the new building since they took occupation? Why did they select Richmond Park specifically to house this particular building of theirs?
The final completion of the building was achieved in August 2019 as per the agreement. The professional team led by Boogertmann + Partners performed their duties extremely well, which we believe was instrumental in ensuring a good relationship with CFC.

Richmond Park was chosen due to its excellent location on the N7 corridor which was essential for CFC as this provides easy access from the production areas all around the country and Namibia as well close to Cape Town harbour.

Having a world-class, state-of-the art cold-storage facility is hugely beneficial to our client’s products and the receiving overseas markets. The whole facility is cooled, which is very important to the cold chain and this prolongs the shelf life of the perishable products we handle. The design layout of this facility is productivity driven and the cooling is world class as demanded by most of the overseas markets. This is a world-class facility to which our clients can bring their international clients with confidence.

Could you share a status overview of the development of the rest of the Park – what percentage has been leased and/or are operational; what is in development, what will be finished and taking occupation this year?
The construction of the Richmond Corner retail centre is progressing very well and is on track to open in April 2020. Construction on two other facilities are progressing well and is expected to be completed at the end of this year. Mustek and CTM opened last year.

Has the current tough economic situation in South Africa had an impact on the development at Richmond Park?
We are quite fortunate that a lot of interest is still been shown in the park despite the political uncertainties and the market’s concerns about its effect on the economy.

How do people make contact to find out more about the opportunities at Richmond Park?
People reach us mainly through the Cape Town property brokers, but Atterbury can also be contacted directly – contact Mia Kitshoff on 072 607 5247 or mia@atterbury.co.za