Staycold International, a leading manufacturer of self-contained commercial fridges and freezers, has broken ground on the first phase of a major factory expansion in Parys, Free State.
The project began in March this year with a 500 m² extension, built with the support of local subcontractors. A second phase is already scheduled for 2026, reflecting the company’s growth strategy as international demand for its products continues to climb.
The expansion will create a more streamlined and efficient manufacturing flow, with additional space to accommodate new equipment set to arrive in September and October. A dedicated employee area is also being introduced, doubling as a training venue for staff development. Training sessions will be held weekly in partnership with the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (MerSETA).
Staycold is implementing globally recognised Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles as part of the upgrade. These approaches focus on optimising space and resources, cutting unnecessary steps, boosting productivity, reducing errors, and delivering products faster, more reliably, and with a lower environmental impact.
Lena le Roux, Managing Director of Staycold, commented: “We are expanding and growing as a company, even under the current challenging circumstances, which is testament to the credibility of Staycold’s name in the market with our bottlers, corporates and dealers. Our revised brand statement echoes this as we see the fruits of this expansion – We are passionate about transparency and community, offering straightforward, refrigeration, trusted to work.”
The factory expansion is a practical step to meet growing demand, with additional space for new equipment, improved production flow, and a dedicated area for staff training. By partnering with MerSETA and utilising local subcontractors, the project also supports skills development and employment within the community.