THE HISTORY OF MERLOG FOODS
Established in 1994, Merlog Foods (previously Mercantile Logistics) has grown from a small backroom trading company into the multi-national, multi-faceted organisation that we are today.
This has been accomplished through vision, a clear market understanding, goal setting and a realisation that people are the key to any business. Our aim is to work with our clients, listening carefully to their needs and embracing their company’s ethos, in order to provide them with the products and logistic solutions that make them market leaders.
Merlog Foods is one of the largest wholesalers and distributors of frozen foods in the country. With our primary focus being on frozen meat and chicken, we also offer a range of frozen vegetables, french fries, value-added potato products and processed meats. Merlog Foods proudly markets its products to a vast number of clients throughout South Africa and its neighbouring countries.
With over 2000 delivery destinations, Merlog Foods has identified the various niches within our market sector and divided the company accordingly. Our wholesale and bulk purchasing clients are able to benefit from Merlog’s massive purchasing power, and receive very competitive pricing on products sourced through our extensive network of overseas and local suppliers. Our top-end retail division offers an impressive basket of products, for the butchery, deli and cabinets, delivered accurately and on time, up to twice weekly, while our food service department fully understands the intrinsic requirements of the catering and restaurant industry.
Merlog Foods started by sourcing all of our products from overseas, but soon realised that loyal and dedicated local partners were essential. We are proud to be closely associated with companies like Karan Beef, Sparta Beef, Afgri (Daybreak Farms), Eagle Valley and Bluff Meat Supply, amongst others. These producers provide us with a wide variety of brands and qualities to ensure complete satisfaction.
Our ethos of long-term relationships, business ethics and sizeable volumes has seen us achieve preferred customer status on world renowned brand names like Fletcher Mutton, Perdix, Seara, Silver Fern and Mydibel. These and other top brands ensure that our client’s customers are able to purchase the same high quality products day-in and day-out, giving the consumer complete trust in their favourite retail store or wholesaler.
Merlog is a major player in the supply of frozen foods to the top-end retail sector. Shoprite Checkers, Boxer Superstores, Pick n Pay, Spar and the Massmart group benefit from our very dedicated logistics team. With 13 500 pallet positions of cold storage between Durban and Johannesburg, 24-hour working days, and loading in excess of 30 vehicles a day, our cold stores and transport fleet ensure that our clients’ supply demands are met.
Our new fully automated cold storage and distribution centre will give us the space and freedom we need to truly become one of South Africa’s leading perishable distributors. The new facility will allow us to meet our growth targets and operate more effectively and efficiently, thus improving our service and competitiveness even further.
It’s always a case of onwards and upwards at Merlog Foods!
