MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

06.06.2012

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

VITAL PRODUCTS PLC

 

 

Registered Office :

28, Ajasa Street, Onikan, Lagos State

 

 

Country :

Nigeria

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

10.04.1987

 

 

Com. Reg. No.:

RC: 94312

 

 

Legal Form :

Public Limited Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Production, Distribution and Sales of Tomato Paste, Children Foods, Juices and non-alcoholic beverages

 

 

No. of Employees :

Over 150          

 

RATING & COMMENTS

 

MIRA’s Rating :

Ba

 

RATING

STATUS

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

41-55

Ba

Overall operation is considered normal. Capable to meet normal commitments.

Satisfactory

 

Status :

Satisfactory

Payment Behaviour :

No Complaints

Litigation :

Clear

 


NOTES:

Any query related to this report can be made on e-mail: infodept@mirainform.com while quoting report number, name and date.

 

ECGC Country Risk Classification List – March 31st, 2012

 

Country Name

Previous Rating

(31.12.2011)

Current Rating

(31.03.2012)

Nigeria

B1

B1

 

Risk Category

ECGC Classification

Insignificant

 

A1

Low

 

A2

Moderate

 

B1

High

 

B2

Very High

 

C1

Restricted

 

C2

Off-credit

 

D

 

 


Company name

 

VITAL PRODUCTS PLC

 

 

OPERATIONS

 

Subject is into Production, Distribution and Sales of Tomato Paste, Children Foods, Juices and non-alcoholic beverages.

 

COMPANY LOCATION

 

The company is located in a commercial area at Vital House, Plot 22A, Cocoa Industrial Road, Ogba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

 

 

IDENTIFICATION

 

COMPANY NAME:                                             VITAL PRODUCTS PLC

REGISTERED NAME:                                        VITAL PRODUCTS PLC

REGISTERED ADDRESS:                                  28, Ajasa Street, Onikan, Lagos State, Nigeria

HEAD OFFICE ADDRESS:                                 Vital House, Plot 22A, Cocoa Industrial Road, Ogba,

Lagos State, Nigeria.

TELEPHONE:                                                    234-1-7914466, 7912298

E-MAIL:                                                           info@vitalproductsplc.com

WEBSITE:                                                        www.vitalproductsplc.com      

 

Currency: All monetary quoted in this report are in Nigerian Naira, the local currency or unless otherwise stated. The exchange rate is N150 to 1 US $.

 

 

SUMMARY

 

NATURE OF PREMISES:                       Owned office/factory space as head office occupying 5,000 metres square

DATE INCORPORATED:                        10th April, 1987

YEAR BEGAN OPERATION:                  1987

LEGAL FORM:                                      Public Limited Company

REGISTRATION NO:                             RC: 94312


SHARE CAPITAL:                                 1,250,000,000.00                      

ISSUED CAPITAL:                                1,250,000,000.00

PAID UP CAPITAL:                               1,250,000,000.00

STAFF STRENGTH:                              Over 150          

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS/DIRECTOR

 

1.       Vital Asset Management Limited

19, Seaton Place, St. Herlier Jersey, Channels Islands

 

2.       Kayode Soyombo

6, Prince Lowo Adedeji, off Admiralty Road, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State, Nigeria

 

3.       Jitendra Kumar Pandey

150, Estates Olutoye Crescent, off Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria

 

4.       Stewart Gavin

Flat 31, 3/5, Ikoyi Crescent, Ikoyi, Lagos State, Nigeria

 

5.       Vital Group Staff Share Scheme

Vital House, Plot 22A, Cocoa Industrial Road, Ogba, Lagos State, Nigeria

 

6.       Alhaja Kasimu Haruna

149, Borno Way, Ebutte-Metta, Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria

 

7.       Alhaji Bashir Aminu

28, Ijibouti Crescent, off Free Town Road, off Adetokunbo Ademola Road, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria

 

8.       Antrade Ventures Limited

Vital House, Plot 22A, Cocoa Industrial Road, Ogba, Lagos State, Nigeria

 

 

DIRECTORS

 

1.      Kayode Soyombo

2.      Jitendra Kumar Pandey

3.      Stewart Gavin

4.      Alhaja Bashir Aminu

 

 

 

 

MANAGEMENT TEAM

 

S/N

Name

Position

1.

Alhaji Bashiru Aminu

Chairman

2.

Mr. Sanjeev Raj Kapoor

Vice Chairman

3.

Mr. J.K. Pandey

Managing Director

4.

Mr. Gavin Stewart

Director

5.

Mr. Kayode Soyombo

Director

6.

Alhaji Kasimu Haruna

Director

7.

Mr. Mukesh Rastogi

Finance Director

 

 

MANAGEMENT TEAM

 

ALHAJI BASHIRU AMINU                                  -           CHAIRMAN

Alhaji Bashari Aminu (Iyan Zazzau) is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vital Products Limited. He graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State with B. Sc (Accounting) in 1975. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Financial Accountants (UK) and a Fellow of the Certified National Accountant of Nigeria (CNA). He has attended many professional courses both at home and abroad.

 

He is a senior title holder in the Emirate of Zazzau and is currently a Senior District Head of Sabon-Gari, Zaria in Kaduna State. He previously held the post of Chairman / Director of Federal, State and Multinational Organisations in Nigeria. He is currently on the board of several companies including Trow Flour Mills Limited, West African Cotton, Funtua, Zazzau Ginnery Limited and a host of others. he is 57 years old and has been associated with the Vital Group for the past 12 years.

 

MR. SANJEEV RAJ KAPOOR                            -           VICE CHAIRMAN

Mr. Sanjeev Kapoor is the Vice / Deputy Chairman. He is an Indian National with over 30 years management experience in running conglomerates and multinational organizations. Mr. Kapoor holds a Bachelors Degree in Commerce from the University of Bombay.

 

Mr. Kapoor is also a Non Executive Director in Strides Vital Nigeria Limited (Pharmaceutical Manufacturing), Sambuka Fertilisers Limited (Import and Distribution of Fertilisers) and West African Tobacco Company Limited (Distribution of Tobacco Products).

 

MR. J.K. PANDEY                                             -           MANAGING DIRECTOR

He graduated in 1987 where he had a B.Sc in Life Sciences. He started his working career with Glaxo Plc in 1979 as Medical Representative. Through hard work and dedication to duty, he became the Area Business Manager in 1993. He worked in this capacity for 4 years. At GSK Plc he won both the Star and Super Star Awards in 4 consecutive Years (1990-1994) and he was rated as the Best ABM in 1995 and 1996 respectively. He joined Vital Pharmaceutical as Operations Manager in 1998.

 

In 2001, he took charge of the entire Pharmaceutical Operations of the company in Nigeria. With all these brilliant performances, in 2003 he moved to Vital Products Limited as Managing Director. He holds this position till date.

 

MR. GAVIN STEWART                                      -           DIRECTOR

Gavin was born in Scotland on 10th May 1952 and was educated at Chydebank High School. On leaving school he first joined the Merchant Navy as a Navigation Officer and travelled the world extensively for two years before deciding on a career switch to Commerce.

 

In 1972, he joined Gallaher Limited, then a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Company, Fortune Brands and over the next 25 years he worked in a variety of Sales & Marketing roles. In 1997, the decision was taken to list an independent Gallaher Limited on the UK Stock Exchange as a PLC. In 2001, Gavin was appointed as Regional Director Africa. Indeed whilst Gavin was a senior executive with the new Gallaher Plc, this company prospered greatly, moving from being a small UK company, to becoming the fifth largest tobacco company in the world. In January, 2005 Gavin became the Managing Director of West African Tobacco Company Limited (WAT), a private limited company operating in Nigeria and based in Lagos.

 

MR. KAYODE SOYOMBO                                  -           DIRECTOR

A graduate of Micro-Bology from the University of Ife, Kayode Soyombo worked with Guinness Nigeria Plc for a period of 10 years rising to the position of Production Manager before voluntarily resigning in 1990.

 

He then joined D.F. Holding Ltd to nurture various companies, and still serves on their boards. An articulate and pro-active seasoned entrepreneur and manager of men, his love for initiating and identifying new business opportunities and bringing them to fruition is well established. Amongst the companies in which he serves as directors are AIICO General, SNL Sales & Service Ltd, Kings Guards Nig. Ltd, Bluechip Communications Limited, D.F. Properties and Sambooka Fertilizers Ltd.

 

ALHAJI KASIMU HARUNA                                -           DIRECTOR

Alhaji Kasimu Haruna, was born in Kano in the year 1948 to Alhaji Haruna, a well known farmer in the community. He made his contribution to the development of the community in the area of agriculture. He later worked with Printing Press Kano N.A. and Gaskiya Corporation Zaria. As part of his contribution to serve the nation he worked with Federal Ministry of Establishment in the management section for almost 11 years. During his Working career in the Ministry of Establishment, he was able to uplift the Management section of the ministry. Till date he is still remembered for his contribution in the ministry. He sits as Director with Strides Vital Nigeria Limited, Samboka Fertilizers Limited and West African Tobacco.

He has also made immense contribution towards providing inputs for the farming sector.

 

MR. MUKESH RASTOGI                                    -           FINANCE DIRECTOR

Mr. Mukesh graduated from the University of Delhi India in 1985 and secured a Honours Degree in Commerce. He pursued higher studies and became a professionally qualified Chartered Accountant in 1991. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.  He has worked with several organizations in different capacities, including professional Chartered Accounting firms in India, large corporate bodies like VOLTAS LTD., and multinational banking institutions like Citi Bank Shelters New Dehli. He has wide experience as lead auditor for blue chip corporations both in the public and private sectors like National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Punjab Tractors Ltd, HMT Ltd, IFFCO Ltd, (Fertilizer), Coal India, State Bank of India (5131).  He joined Vital Products Limited in 2005 where he initially headed the Banking, Finance, Administration and Training Division.

 

BACKGROUND

 

Vital Products Plc was incorporated on 10th April, 1987 as a Public Limited Liability Company with Registration Number (RC: 94312), it has 1,250,000,000.00 Share Capital. The company registered address is located at 28, Ajasa Street, Onikan, Lagos State, Nigeria and its corporate head office comprising a 3 storey building painted blue, yellow and white, in addition its factory is located at Vital House, Plot 22A, Cocoa Industrial Road, Ogba, Lagos State, Nigeria (Tel: 234-1-7914466).

 

Vital Products Plc was incorporated under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1999. The Company commenced operations as a manufacturer and distributor of fruit drinks and non-alcoholic beverages like energy drinks and stands as a company of repute in the Food and Beverage Industry. The company pioneered the processing and packaging of Tomato Paste in 70gm sachet and also introduced the concept of Tomato Paste which was completely developed indigenously.

 

Today, Vital Products Plc can look back with a sense of pride and accomplishment at its heritage and achievement as a leading provider of Consumer Healthcare and Food products in Nigeria. The company became operational in 1999 with the backup of an extensive business experience that spans over two decades. The company has gradually etched itself into the Nigerian foods and beverages market by maintaining quality control backed by best technology in all its operations.

 

From a consumer and healthcare products company distributing only pharmaceutical products, the company has forayed into the manufacture and distribution of high quality fruit juices and non-alcoholic beverages.

 

Vital Products Plc has also invested substantially in the fruits and vegetables processing industry. The company has, as part of its plans for expansion, procured a multi-million naira plant solely for the production of processed tomatoes and other food seasonings. This is aimed at lowering the cost of such products in the open market as well as offer new methods on food preservation.

 

During our visit on 4th June, 2012, Omolara the company Receptionist who acknowledged our document confirmed the company’s line of business and mentioned part of the company’s product as “Vitavite and Zico”. She stated that they are group of companies and shares same facilities with its sister company “WACTO”

 

She later declined to supply further details but promised to discuss with her management for more directive. Though, we sighted a good number of factory workers and some top management staff of the company. While going round the premises, some of the products were neatly packed in cartons at the warehouse while some of the factory operators were equally sighted at their respective duty posts.

 

Note:    The Company increased its Share Capital from 100,000,000.00 to 1,250,000,000.00 on 26th February, 2007 and also paid its Annual Returns till 2010. It also changed its name from VITAL PRODUCTS LIMITED to VITAL PRODUCTS PLC in 2009

           

Conclusion: Based on our visit, discussion with the receptionist (Omolarea), business activities witnessed  and available facility sighted, we are of the opinion that the company is among the market leaders in its sector. As such, any business relationship with the company should be mutually beneficial.

 

 


BRANDS AND PRODUCTS

 

·         Vitavite Multivitamin Fruit Drinks

·         Zico Flavoured Vitamin C Drinks

·         Energee Plus Energy Drinks

·         Vivo Dairy Drinks

·         Vital 100% Juice Drinks

·         Vitali Tomato Products

·         Vitals Children Food

·         Vitals Food

 

 

RELATED COMPANIES

 

·         West African Tobacco Company

·         Sambuka Fertilisers Limited

·         Strides Vital Limited

·         Vital Construction Limited

·         Winlot Limited

 

 

SISTER COMPANY

 

WACTO

 

 

BANKER

 

Access Bank Plc. (Plot 1665, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State, Nigeria)

 

 

FOREIGN ADDRESS

 

Address:           68 Wellington Court, 55-68 Wellington Road, St John's Wood, London NW8 9TA,

United Kingdom

Telephone:      +44 207 5867070

Fax:                 +44 207 5865757

E-mail:             vitalpharm@aol.com

 

TYPES OF CUSTOMERS

 

1.       General Public

2.       Group of Companies

 

 

MISSION

 

Committed to building a profitable, financially stable and expanding business in the food industry. Its business strategy is to target developing sectors of the market where a demand for innovation and excellence offers opportunities for profitable growth and where we can be a leading manufacturer.

 

 

PAYMENT REFERENCES

 

Subject has both local and international references

 

 

PERFORMANCE RANKING

 

* Quality of Management:          GOOD

* Ethics & Integrity:                     GOOD

* Ownership Structure:               GOOD

 

PHYSICAL VISIT

 

  1. Company Premises 
  2. Corporate Affairs Commission

 

           

FINANCES

 

Subject’s Audited Accounts was not available as at the time of compiling this report and the company’s Financial Report could not be sourced at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) during our visit. However, based on the industry the company belongs to and services rendered, the Company’s estimated turnover could be put at $10 Million (Ten Million Dollars).

 

 

 


INDUSTRIAL OVERVIEW/ OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

 

Subject is operating in an industry with very great potentials. This sector in Nigeria has a lot to explore when it comes to the need for expansion, improvement of product quality, work force development and general technical expertise. Mainly, private individuals dominate this sector. Despite the huge capital required for setting up this investment, it has grown in its leaps and bounds over the decades in the nation, although, the efforts of the Federal Government cannot be ruled out. The government has put in place different policies that support private individuals to secure loans/ mortgages from banks and other financial institutions. However, to record a groundbreaking in this sector, foreign investors are inevitable.

 

This sector of the economy has great potentials for intending investors.

 

 

CMT REPORT

(Corruption, Money Laundering & Terrorism)

 

Public Notice from various sources including but not limited to: The Courts, Nigerian Prison Service, Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food & Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) Etc.

 

No negative information on subject from the above agencies.

 

OFFICIAL REMARKS

 

Having carried out all necessary verifications on the company, our investigations revealed that Vital Products Plc. is duly registered in Nigeria with a registered address is located at 28, Ajasa Street, Onikan, Lagos State, Nigeria, while its operational address is located at Vital House, Plot 22A, Cocoa Industrial Road, Ogba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

Information contained in the report is mostly from secondary sources.

 


FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs.55.56

UK Pound

1

Rs.85.52

Euro

1

Rs.69.50

 

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Report Prepared by :

MNL

 

 

RATING EXPLANATIONS

 

RATING

STATUS

 

 

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

>86

Aaa

Possesses an extremely sound financial base with the strongest capability for timely payment of interest and principal sums

 

Unlimited

71-85

Aa

Possesses adequate working capital. No caution needed for credit transaction. It has above average (strong) capability for payment of interest and principal sums

 

Large

56-70

A

Financial & operational base are regarded healthy. General unfavourable factors will not cause fatal effect. Satisfactory capability for payment of interest and principal sums

 

Fairly Large

41-55

Ba

Overall operation is considered normal. Capable to meet normal commitments.

 

Satisfactory

26-40

B

Capability to overcome financial difficulties seems comparatively below average.

 

Small

11-25

Ca

Adverse factors are apparent. Repayment of interest and principal sums in default or expected to be in default upon maturity

 

Limited with full security

<10

C

Absolute credit risk exists. Caution needed to be exercised

 

 

Credit not recommended

----

NB

New Business

----

 

This score serves as a reference to assess SC’s credit risk and to set the amount of credit to be extended. It is calculated from a composite of weighted scores obtained from each of the major sections of this report. The assessed factors and their relative weights (as indicated through %) are as follows:

 

Financial condition (40%)            Ownership background (20%)                 Payment record (10%)

Credit history (10%)                    Market trend (10%)                                Operational size (10%)

PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL : This information is provided to you at your request, you having employed MIPL for such purpose. You will use the information as aid only in determining the propriety of giving credit and generally as an aid to your business and for no other purpose. You will hold the information in strict confidence, and shall not reveal it or make it known to the subject persons, firms or corporations or to any other. MIPL does not warrant the correctness of the information as you hold it free of any liability whatsoever. You will be liable to and indemnify MIPL for any loss, damage or expense, occasioned by your breach or non observance of any one, or more of these conditions

This report is issued at your request without any risk and responsibility on the part of MIRA INFORM PRIVATE LIMITED (MIPL) or its officials.