ABOUT
OMNIA

Factory [photo] 

Milestones

  • 2022

    • Shareholder distribution of R1.35 billion declared in June 2022 comprising an ordinary dividend of 275 cents per share and a special dividend of 525 cents per share.
    • Maintained Level 2 B-BBEE
    • Disposal of 90% of Omnia’s shareholding in Umongo Petroleum, effective 31 January 2022
    • Record electronic detonator blast in South Africa: 5 209 Axxis™

  • 2021

    • Achieved Level 2 B-BBEE
    • R1 billion shareholder distribution declared in June 2021 consisting of ordinary dividend of 200 cents per share and a special dividend of 400 cents per share
    • Disposal of Oro Agri, effective 7 January 2021 for R2.2 billion and profit on disposal after tax of R755 million
    • Record electronic detonator blast in South Africa: 3 780 Axxis™

  • 2020

    • Oversubscribed rights issue of R2 billion successfully concluded
    • World record electronic detonator blast achieved in Queensland. The highest number of 7 350 AXXISTM electronic delay detonators fired in one blast
    • Global award for biological programmes supporting Africa agricultural development research

  • 2019

    • Revenue increased with 7% to R18 628 million
    • Commissioning of the new nitrophosphate plant at Sasolburg on 24 March 2019
    • Group recordable case rate of 0.36, lowest rate in past 5 years

  • 2018

    • World record single blast for bme in Zambia of 6 690 AXXISTM electronic delay detonators
    • Acquisition of ORO AGRI for US$100M
    • Acquired 100% of LDR Precision Technical Field Services (“LDR”) for R12 million, effective 1 August 2017, now part of the newly established entity called Axioteq
    • Acquired the remaining 35% interest in AIS for A$4.4 million (R45 million), effective 1 January 2018
    • Commenced construction of the R630 million Nitrophosphate plant at Sasolburg

  • 2017

    • Concluded* the acquisition of a 90% interest in Umongo Petroleum for R780 million
      * Subject to conditions precedent
    • Record sales volumes of speciality fertilizers into local and international markets for Agriculture
    • Among the achievements of BME’s AXXIS GII™ system are the world-record size blasts that were undertaken in Australia and Zambia
    • Installation of two more automated robotic assembly plants that increases the total number of automated plants for assembling electronic and non-electric detonators to five. With the two automated assembly plant for the AXXIS™ electronic detonators, production volume and quality has increased to meet the market demand
    • The integration of Protea Chemicals’ water-care business unit was successfully completed, as a result, the various water treatment chemicals businesses, improved sales and volumes of effect chemicals into the potable and effluent treatment sectors
    • The first phase of upgrading the warehousing, packing and filling facilities at Wadeville was completed. This will allow for improved site management and storage of bulk liquids and powders
    • Commissioning of the new R21 million fully automated acid and alkali packing line began in March 2017 and is fully operational. This state-of-the-art plant will deliver improved filling efficiencies, increase capacity by 50% and reduce cost per unit

  • 2016

    • Ungeared balance sheet with a net cash positive position of R228 million
    • Operating in Zimbabwe are now 26 retail stores and the product range has been expanded to also include seed and some agrochemicals
    • Release of a new generation of its proprietary AXXIS® electronic delay detonators, with AXXIS GII® designed to be even safer and to provide mining operations with best value and optimal performance
    • The successful implementation of the strategy to align the Chemicals division into a centralised business was satisfactorily concluded
    • Finalisation of the closure of the Springs site in the Chemicals was concluded

  • 2015

    • Revenue at record high of R16.8 billion

  • 2014

    • New HEF (high energy fuel) emulsion plant at Dryden commissioned with new superior technology and increased capacity that replaces the existing facility
    • Commissioning of a R91 million world-class chlorine packaging plant at Sasolburg
    • Omnia Holdings share price hits an all-time high of R242.00 on 10 September 2014

  • 2013

    • Omnia achieves market capitalisation of R10 billion for the first time
    • Namibia opens a 3 000m² chemicals storage facility in Windhoek
    • BME opens plants in Liberia, DRC and Eritrea, commences trading in Mozambique
    • A chemicals supply chain is established in Algeria and first deliveries are made
    • In Uganda, Zetachem secures a supply agreement with Government
    • Oil and Gas supply chains are established into Cameroon, Tanzania and Zambia
    • Purchase a further 0.5% of Omnia Group (Pty) Ltd through the BBBEE employee share scheme – Sakhile Initiative 2 Limited increasing total shareholding to 3.5%

  • 2012

    • Commission a R1.4 billion nitric acid 2 complex and related facilities in Sasolburg to produce nitric acid and ammonium nitrate to address shortages in South Africa and the Group
    • BME opens first plant in Burkina Faso
    • Omnia in Beira, Mozambique (Agriculture) opens and establishes an import and blending facility
    • Chemicals exports begin arriving in the DRC, Ethiopia and Equatorial Guinea
    • Angola (Chemicals) first bulk delivery of chemicals by ship
    • Zetachem supplies water purification products into Kenya

  • 2011

    • Purchase a further 1% of Omnia Group (Pty) Ltd through BBBEE employee share scheme – Sakhile Initiative 2 Limited –increasing total shareholding to 3%

  • 2010

    • BME commissions shock tube plant in Fochville, 60 km west of Johannesburg, South Africa
    • Purchase of an initial 2% of Omnia Group (Pty) Ltd through BBBEE employee share scheme – Sakhile Initiative 2 Limited
    • BME opens a plant in Sierra Leone
    • Omnia Angola (Agriculture and Chemicals) opens and establishes a 3 000 m² warehouse

  • 2009

    • Protea Polymers East Africa founded

  • 2008

    • Commissions EnviNox plant at Sasolburg, reducing the release of nitrous oxide (NOX) from the Omnia fertilizer factory
    • Omnia sells its first carbon credits
    • Commissions EcoGypsum plant for sale of gypsum to cement industry
    • BME opens plant in Senegal
    • In Angola, agricultural trade commences

  • 2007

    • Purchase of 10% of Omnia Group (Pty) Ltd through BBBEE employee share scheme – Sakhile Initiative Limited (Sakhile 1)
    • Acquires Zetachem, supplier of chemical management systems for the water treatment, mining, pulp and paper industries
    • BME opens in Guinea

  • 2006

    • New BME plants are established in Mauritania and Mali
    • Polymer trade commences in Tanzania

  • 2005

    • BME plant opens in Mauritania

  • 2004

    • Omnia in Malawi (Agriculture) opens
    • Botswana – water purification chemicals are supplied

  • 2003

    • Omnia achieves a R1 billion market capitalisation in 50th year of existence
    • Acquires South Africa's largest distributor and trader of chemicals, Protea Chemicals
    • New calcium nitrate plant opened in Sasolburg
    • BME enters sophisticated electronic detonator market
    • BME begins trading in Kenya and Mozambique

  • 2002

    • A chemicals supply chain is established into Zambia and Malawi

  • 2001

    • Establishes presence in Australasia
    • BME establishes further operations in Mali, Zimbabwe and Botswana
    • A chemicals supply chain is set up into Angola

  • 2000

    • BME opens plants in Tanzania, Mali and Zambia

  • 1999

    • BME establishes a facility in Namibia

  • 1998

    • Mining explosives venture initiated in Tanzania
    • Speciality fertilizer blender commissioned in Sasolburg
    • Omnia's first fertilizer bulk blender in Zimbabwe is commissioned
    • Omnia Kenya (Agriculture) is established

  • 1997

    • Construction begins on R96 million state-of-the-art fertilizer granulation plant at Sasolburg
    • Fourth liquid fertilizer plant commissioned in Wesselsbron
    • In Ghana, BME commences operations

  • 1996

    • Omnia Fertilizer commissions plant in Sasolburg to produce potassium sulphate and hydrochloric acid
    • BME commissions cartridge explosives plant in Fochville
    • Omnia Fertilizer in Zimbabwe commences trading

  • 1995

    • Speciality fertilizer division launched, introduced OmniaSap™ technology

  • 1993

    • Establishes a trading, finance and investment business in Mauritius
    • Becomes Top 100 Company on the JSE for the first time

  • 1992

    • Extends operations into Africa, BME enters Zimbabwe, Omnia Fertilizer in Zambia is established
    • Establishes industrial chemicals division, Intaba Chemicals

  • 1991

    • Omnia Fertilizer establishes porous prill ammonium nitrate at Sasolburg
    • BME establishes ANFO manufacturing plant at Rustenburg

  • 1988

    • Enters agricultural seed market
    • 25% partnership share agreement for the Richards Bay ammonia terminal

  • 1987

    • Acquires Bulk Mining Explosives (BME) to diversify into the mining explosives market

  • 1982

    • Invests R88 million in nitrogen production facilities at the Sasolburg complex

  • 1980

    • Lists on Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)

  • 1976

    • Expands liquid operation into the UK and USA
    • Opens liquid fertilizer plants at Hectorspruit and Danielsrus

  • 1974

    • Launches direct application ammonia in Viljoenskroon, Delmas and Kieppen (close to Bethal)
    • Completes superphosphate plant at Sasolburg and phosphoric acid plant at Phokeng, outside Rustenburg

  • 1972

    • Commissions South Africa's first liquid fertilizer operation at Sasolburg

  • 1967

    • Expands into the related fertilizer market, establishes first granular plant at Sasolburg

  • 1953

    • Started as a family business with just £53 in capital, Omnia has grown with a market capitalisation of ±R12 billion today

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