Synercore marks its 10-year anniversary in 2026, celebrating a decade of measured, strategic growth that has seen the company become an integral part of Africa’s food ingredient and manufacturing ecosystem.
Founded in 2016 as a locally owned specialist ingredient supplier, the group has evolved into a multi-division food technology group that plays an indispensable role in the production process of some of the most trusted food brands. Synercore’s growth has been a result of its focus not only on being a supplier, but also becoming a long-term partner, investing in technical capability, local infrastructure and people.
Over the past decade, Synercore has grown from a focused ingredient business serving a wide range of food categories, including bakery, dairy, beverage, confectionary and agri-processing. This evolution has been shaped by a clear philosophy: Sustainable growth is built through consistency and its long-term exclusive global strategic partnerships.
According to CEO Dr. Tertius Cilliers, the journey has been defined by purpose, perseverance and people.
“As Synercore marks its ten-year anniversary, we reflect on a decade shaped by resilience and collaboration,” he says. “We didn’t set out to be the biggest. We set out to be a trusted and essential partner in the industry. Ten years later, we’re proud to be part of the products that millions of people eat every day, without them even knowing we were there.”
WHO IS SYNERCORE TODAY
Today, Synercore operates across multiple interconnected areas of the ingredient supply chain:
- Product formulation and application
- Supplier of speciality ingredients
- Contract blending
- Milling
- Extrusion
- Research and Development
Rather than operating in compartmented silos, Synercore encourages symbiotic integration across the various divisions within the group, creating a stronger whole. This collaborative approach enables customer support throughout the full product lifecycle, from formulation through to full-scale manufacturing, while our FSSC 22000 certified manufacturing facilities reflect an unwavering commitment to quality and food safety. Currently Synercore proudly serves over 160 customers and manufactures more than 30 000 MT of product per annum across the group, showcasing its evolution into a trusted industry leader today.
SYNERCORE’S COMPETITIVE EDGE
Synercore’s strength lies in a combination of
- Commitment to local investment: Consistently invested in their manufacturing infrastructure, technical capability and specialist skills. These investments support greater regional self-sufficiency, strengthening local supply chains in an increasingly volatile global environment.
- Reliability: Long-term customer relationships, trusted service delivery and deep technical expertise have positioned Synercore as a dependable partner in an industry where consistency and performance are critical.
- Strategic partnerships: Through carefully selected global strategic partnerships, Synercore provides customers with access to market-leading ingredients, technologies and insights. These partnerships are underpinned by strong local technical support, enabling global innovation to be effectively adapted for African manufacturing realities and regulatory requirements.
- Innovation and total industry involvement: Synercore focuses on translating global food trends into solutions that are scalable, affordable and appropriate to South Africa. This allows customers to innovate while managing cost, compliance and production constraints.
SYNERCORE’S DECADE OF SUCCESS
Dr. Cilliers defines the last decade by purposeful expansion and sustainable value creation.
In recent years, Synercore converted Norfund’s investment into equity, strengthening a partnership aligned to shared development objectives. The acquisition and integration of Impilo Products and Sizwe Foods further expanded the group’s operational depth, while the opening of its head office and warehouse in Klapmuts in January 2025 increased capacity to support growing demand. The group further continued to invest in research and innovation, with Innovative Research Solutions opening a new purpose-built laboratory at the Woodmill in Stellenbosch in 2025, reinforcing Synercore’s science-led approach to food solutions.
Synercore has earned recognition from its suppliers as a leading brand in the industry, with South Africa’s top food manufacturers acknowledging its excellence through an exclusive invitation to the PepsiCo Supplier Roadshow (2024), the ‘Supply Chain Supplier of the Year’ award from Famous Brands (2019), and the recent award and recognition at the Fair Cape Supplier Awards (2025).
Beyond business growth, Synercore remains committed to social impact through its Synercore Cares programme, focused on improving nutrition, advancing education, and supporting entrepreneurship to create lasting community impact. Reflecting on this commitment, Synercore was the only external supplier selected to participate in Tiger Brands’ Plates4Days CSI initiative and has continued to contribute actively to the programme in the years that followed.
LOOKING AHEAD
Synercore remains focussed to staying at the forefront of food trends, innovation, regulatory developments, and evolving consumer demand. The group aims to continue its growth into various food industries by expanding its infrastructure, capabilities and operations.
Over the past two years, Synercore has forged new partnerships with customers and collaborators across the continent, resulting in a threefold increase in exports to Africa. With the African Continental Free Trade Agreement expected to further enhance intra-African trade, the group sees significant opportunity to continue to extend its technical expertise and solutions beyond South Africa’s borders.
As Dr. Cilliers explains: “Looking ahead, Synercore’s Vision 2031 is to strengthen our leadership in the food industry, advancing innovative formulations and sustainable nutrition solutions that shape the future of food. Together with our people and partners, we are committed to building a stronger, more food-secure future for Africa.”
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