Tupperware’s Brakpan Factory Up for Auction as Global Liquidation Hits South Africa

Tupperware Southern Africa’s once-thriving Brakpan factory is officially going under the hammer, marking another chapter in the company’s global exit and a sobering signal for South Africa’s industrial sector.

The iconic plastic container brand—once so influential it became shorthand for any food storage product—filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States in September 2024. The company’s new owners have since announced plans to focus on eight core markets globally, excluding both South Africa and Australia.

Now, as part of Tupperware’s South African liquidation, Park Village Auctions (PVA) has opened the floor for offers on the brand’s substantial manufacturing and distribution facility in Brakpan.

“This is a unique opportunity to acquire a significant facility complete with high-quality plant and equipment,” said PVA’s Werner Burger. “Given the global recognition of the brand and the scale of the operation, we expect serious interest.”

Inside the Brakpan Plant

Located at 92 Lemmer Road, Vulcania Ext 2, the 4.1573-hectare property includes:

• A large warehouse (divided into four sections)

• A two-storey administrative block

• Health and safety facilities

• A security office

• Covered staff parking

• A gross leasable area of 22,747 sqm

In addition to the immovable property, an extensive list of manufacturing equipment and operational assets are up for sale. These include:

• Plastic injection and blow moulders

• Viper robots

• Conveyor systems

• Pallet wrappers

• Vacuum pumps and compressors

• Extrusion and granulation machinery

• Complete packaging lines

• Water chillers and heat exchangers

• Office equipment and warehouse shelving

• Raw plastic materials and more

Viewing will take place on 6, 7 and 8 May between 9:00 and 15:00, and offers must be submitted to PVA no later than 14:00 on Thursday, 15 May.

Part of a Larger Trend

Tupperware’s exit from South Africa follows a broader trend of international companies scaling back or leaving the country altogether.

Among the latest departures:

• BNP Paribas, the world’s sixth-largest bank, exited local banking to refocus on Europe and Asia.

• HSBC transferred its South African branch operations to FirstRand.

• Shell announced plans to sell its downstream retail business.

• Britbox, the BBC and ITV’s streaming service, ended operations in August 2024.

• Zando, once run by Jumia Technologies, was absorbed by The Foschini Group’s Bash brand.

• Blackcircles, a UK tyre retail giant, left the South African market in September.

Each departure reflects a mix of strategic realignment, market challenges, and regional competition. But the liquidation of Tupperware’s extensive Brakpan operations stands out due to its scale—and the loss of a symbolically powerful global brand.

What Comes Next?

The sale of the factory presents opportunities for local investors or manufacturing firms seeking to expand or diversify. Yet it also raises critical questions about South Africa’s ability to retain international industrial investment.

Tupperware’s exit may be a sign of broader pressures, but it could also mark a turning point—where local businesses and stakeholders reclaim assets and redirect them toward homegrown manufacturing growth.

{Source: BusinessTech}

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