way better goes way backOur rich history is as lush as the pastures of the Natal Midlands. Our story began over a century ago when after a series of meetings, a group of farmers made their dream come true. Their relentless pursuit of bringing excellent quality products to market still ripples through everything we do.
1898Farmers meet at Mooi River to discuss the establishment of a butter factory. At follow-up meetings the name Natal Creamery Ltd. is approved and they agree to establish a co-operative.
1899Joseph Baynes starts the first butter factory in Natal on his farm Nel’s Rust. But, back then there were no proper legal channels to register a co-operative yet. Instead, Natal Creamery Ltd. is registered under the Natal Companies Act and H Blaker is appointed first Chairman.
1901We found the first reference to a partnership for the marketing of fresh milk in Durban between Natal Creamery Ltd and Joseph Baynes. The Model Dairy partnership lasted until October 1901.
1902Natal Creamery Ltd. starts its milk distribution from Pietermaritzburg.
1903Natal Creamery Ltd.’s milk distribution business expands to Johannesburg and since milk is dispatched daily, they decide to investigate the business opportunities of the Johannesburg milk industry.
1906Natal Creamery Ltd. becomes so successful that they take over the Johannesburg Milk Supply Company Ltd.
1908Heilbron Government Creamery is established.
1923Natal Creamery Ltd is registered under the Co-operative Societies Act of 1922.
1932By 1932 Natal Creamery Ltd is operating in 32 centres countrywide.
1934Natal Creamery Ltd converted to a co-operative called National Co-operative Dairies Ltd. And continues to trade as a co-operative until 2003.
1994Clover S.A. (Pty) Ltd is established.
1995Clover S.A. (Pty) Ltd and Compagnie Gervais Danone (Danone) join forces as joint venture partners.
1997Clover Holdings Ltd is established to act as a holding company for Clover S.A. (Pty) Ltd.
1998Danone and Clover S.A. (Pty) Ltd form the Danone Clover (Pty) Ltd joint venture.
2003National Co-operative Dairies Ltd converted from a co-operative to a public company in November 2003. A name change to Clover Industries Ltd was approved. The dynamics in ordinary shares exercising control and preferential shares being freely tradable opens a new era for the Group. Clover S.A. (Pty) Ltd and Danone form the Clover Danone Beverages Ltd joint venture.
2004Clover Holdings Ltd is unbundled. Clover Industries Ltd is the new holding company of Clover S.A. (Pty) Ltd – one of the largest branded consumer goods companies in South Africa – South Africa’s largest dairy company and one of the leading manufacturers and marketers of food products in South Africa.
2005Hosken Consolidated Investments Ltd acquires a 25.1% shareholding in Clover Industries Ltd as a B-BBEE partner.
2006Clover S.A. (Pty) Ltd and Fonterra Ltd of New Zealand form Clover Fonterra Ingredients (Pty) Ltd.
2007Hosken Consolidated Investments Ltd the B-BBEE partner exercises its option to increase its ordinary shareholding to 34.9% and Clover S.A. (Pty) Ltd buys 39.8% of the shares in Clover Danone Beverages Ltd from Danone. The company’s name is changed to Clover Beverages Ltd.
2008Danone Clover (Pty) Ltd acquires a 70% interest in Mayo Dairy (Pty) Ltd.
2009Deconsolidation/Recapitalisation of Danone Clover S.A.
2010Clover sells its 45% shareholding in Danone Clover Pty Ltd to Group Danone. Clover Industries Limited undergoes a capital restructuring – removes condition that only milk producers may hold ordinary shares. De-linking ordinary share from milk supply. Repurchase 34.9% ordinary shares from Hosken Consolidated Investments Ltd. Convert preference shares to debt-only instruments. Clover Industries Limited listed on main Board of the JSE Limited on 14 December 2010.
2011Buy-out of the non-controlling interest in Clover Beverages Limited and the subsequent transfer of the non-alcoholic beverages business to Clover S.A. (Pty) Ltd.
2012Acquiring 45% minority interest in Clover West Africa.
Acquiring 30% minority interest in Clover Botswana.
Acquiring 49% minority interest in Clover Manhattan.
Acquiring 100% of Real Juice Co Holdings from AVI Limited.
Clover acquires assets of Butlers Cheese.
2013The Clover Waters joint venture (in terms of which Clover owns 70% and Nestlé owns 30% is formed) expanding Clover’s portfolio of value added and branded beverage products. Clover is associated with global brands such as Nestlé Purelife and Nestea which opens up opportunities in the sub-Saharan market.
2014Clover Futurelife (Pty) Ltd is formed as a joint venture between Clover and Futurelife. The new joint venture will focus on launching functional, nutritional dairy based products.
The Real Beverages Company (Pty) Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clover SA (Pty) Ltd, acquired from Dairybelle (Pty) Ltd its UHT milk manufacturing, marketing and distribution business with effect from 1 December 2014.
2015Real Beverages Company (Pty) Ltd, acquired from Dairybelle (Pty) Ltd its yoghurt business with effect from 1 January 2015.
Clover SA (Pty) Ltd acquired the entire business of Nkunzi MilkyWay (Pty) Ltd through a subsidiary company called Clover MilkyWay (Pty) Ltd on 1 June 2015.
This facility specialises in the production of dairy products on behalf of Woolworths Holdings Ltd.
20161 Nov 2015, Clover and Frankies Olde Soft Drink Company (Pty) Ltd formed a new company called Clover Frankies (Pty) Ltd. Clover S.A. (Pty) Ltd now owns 100% of Clover Frankies (Pty) Ltd.
1 May 2016, Clover and Good Hope International Beverages SA (Pty) Ltd formed a new company called Clover Good Hope (Pty) Ltd, which acquired the entire soya milk business from Good Hope International Beverages SA (Pty) Ltd. Clover SA (Pty) Ltd owns 51% of Clover Good Hope (Pty) Ltd.
2017Clover establishes Olive Pride Proprietary Limited, which provides us with an entry into the olive and olive oil business.
Clover establishes Dairy Farmers of South Africa Proprietary Limited to allow Clover to continue its strategy of developing higher margin, value added products while at the same time, supporting our producers volume growth goals.
