Resources 

Monday, June 16, 2014 

Tanzania gas maker starts deals with Malawi

READY: Purchase of new specially made trucks have made it easier for TOl to export its products.

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania - TOL Gases Limited formerly, Tanzania Oxygen Limited (TOL), has started marketing carbon dioxide (Co2) manufactured at its Mbeya plants of Ikam and Kyejo to Malawi and Zambia. 

There is a high demand especially from beverage companies. This gives TOL an opportunity to sell its products freely from competition of other manufactures from East and Central African like Kenya.

In an interview with East African Business Week  last week, the Mbeya Plant Co2 Production Director, Mbiri Mcjohn said they were taking the lions share in Malawi and Zambia through bulk transportation in special trucks.

“We have introduced special transport and supply tankers to the convenience of consumers, the achievement that surpasses the traditional mode of supply whereby customers received cylinders carried to them by lorries, the practice which could not guarantee safety,” McJohn explained. 

Previously the gas was transported in cylinders, which he said were not safe. 

On the prevailing challenges, Mcjohn said similar production and supply in neighbouring countries like Kenya in the North and Malawi and Zambia in the south (with proximity to Mbeya plant) required TOL to make extra efforts to  manage them.

Mcjohn said the demand for the product was growing day-by-day in East and Central African market as the company continues to achieve production in large quantity and quality.

Carbon Dioxide products are highly demanded by the neighbouring manufacturing sector. The leading use is for soft drinks and related products. 

Combined, the Mbeya plants make over 60 tons daily. 

TOL has established distribution network that can supply the products to meet needed destinations.

However, Arusha and Moshi was to scramble with competing agents from the competitors from across the boarder, taking advantage of again distance constraints from Mbeya to catch the market.

The company has built confidence to its customers following high quality product with also good quantity production to meet the market at any given moment in the region.

The two plants  manufactures a total of 64 tons in a day with newly commissioned Ikama plant making 48 tons whereas Kyejo Plant makes 16 tons per day.

By Patrick Kisembo, Monday, June 16th, 2014