SCIP: New Abattoirs in Africa:
Designing and implementing them
SCIP Engineering Group in association with van Vliet de Wet and Partners, offer mechanical, structural and civil consulting engineering services specializing in abattoirs, meat processing facilities and allied projects. The Senior Engineers have for the last 40 years been intimately involved in the design and supervision during construction of plants and equipment for the meat industry. Our experience covers all aspects of abattoir and meat processing facilities, both locally and internationally including now more than ever new and refurbishments of abattoirs in Africa. Developing and delivering animal slaughtering and meat processing infrastructure to African communities is highly rewarding and comes with its own challenges.
Currently, SCIP is busy with 4 abattoir and meat processing facilities in Africa, 2 in Mozambique and 1 each in Tanzania and Zambia. With food security becoming an ever-growing concern globally, the world is looking to where they can source their meat products from, in the most cost-effective manner possible. Due to the fact that the African economies have lagged behind the rest of the world, it has become a cost-effective option for large corporates to invest in infrastructure in Africa as it is affordable. Not only is the infrastructure affordable, but so too are the operating and livestock costs.
Many countries in Africa also receive foreign aid that is often allocated to agricultural development and the construction of an abattoir is rapidly gaining in popularity as the masses in Africa are starting to recognise the health benefits of slaughtering livestock in a purpose-built and hygienic facility. Over and above that, it is fast becoming common practice in Africa to chill meat products after slaughtering as opposed to selling warm carcasses as has been done for so many years previously. Not only does chilling the meat improves the quality, but it also aids in the control of bacteria that can lead to harmful disease.
New SCIP Abattoir in Mozambique
SCIP has commenced with the development of a rural abattoir in Mapai in Mozambique, which is one such an abattoir funded by foreign aid. This abattoir is designed to slaughter a maximum of 10 cattle units per day with chilling facilities.
The newer approach is to take smaller abattoirs to the source of the product, rather than the previous thinking of bringing the livestock to the abattoir, which results in significant improvements in animal welfare and reduction of transport costs per kilogram of meat. This approach does often create new challenges in the sourcing of building materials in rural areas with the potential of increased cost and prolonged construction periods. These constraints are normally more than compensated for by the advantages of reduced animal handling and lower transport costs.
Below is a photo of the abattoir beginning to take shape as the foundations have been cast and the walls are starting to emerge from the ground. The drainage pipes will now be installed and then the surface bed will be cast. Thereafter the building will begin to take shape with the construction of insulated sandwich panel walls. The mechanical installation will be followed by refrigeration during the final stages of construction.
Our Areas of Expertise include the following:
- Abattoir layouts
- Livestock holding and handling
- Dressing procedures on both mechanical and static lines
- Offal handling and processing
- Cold room and freezer facilities
- De-boning plants
- By product plants
- Meat processing and small goods manufacturing plants
- Wholesale facilities
- Tanneries
Services available to clients
The services that we offer vary from a full engineering consultancy including preliminary design, obtaining approvals, detailed design, calling for and placing tenders, supervising construction and project management, to a partial service of only preparing designs for statutory approvals. Where necessary arrangements can be made for construction management, services and turnkey contracts.
Other related services which are available include assistance in site selection, economic viability studies, including capacity of plants, estimates of building costs, labour requirements, running costs, long term expansion planning, advice on standard equipment and building finishes, the procurement and design of special items of equipment, etc.
Contact details:
For further details on their services or advice on your abattoir or meat processing project, please contact Michael or Wim at:
PHONE. +27 (0)11 888 1425
MAIL: michael@scip.co.za
WEBSITE: Click here for the website
If you have any questions or want to become a featured company on our website to broaden the scope of your business, please send us a mail on info@agri4africa.com.
