Our History As A Market Leader
Carbon Dioxide in Kereita Forest was first observed by Mr. Sam Morson in 1933. It was later exploited by Mr. K. Morson, sole proprietor of BEA Sawmills Ltd., and Mr. Richardson of Richardson Drilling Co. Ltd. In 1958 they formed a company, Kagwe Ltd., to raise funds for the installation and building of the first CO2 production facility, a 150 Kg/hr high pressure plant from Seagers Ltd. of Dartford, England. The plant produced high purity CO2, 99.95 purity, and was mainly for the filling of cylinders and the production of dry ice blocks. The first road tanker of 3 tons capacity was also imported at this time. In 1961 Kagwe Ltd. merged with its only competitor Carbacid Mfg Ltd. and became Carbacid (1961) Ltd. The merged company grew very quickly, supplying the entire East African region, and had developed sufficiently by 1971 to
justify setting up a distribution depot in Nairobi for cylinders, dry ice and other consumables. It was at this time that the company purchased the first bulk storage tank for Coca Cola in Nairobi.
In order to finance this and the purchase of a larger 500 Kg per hour production plant, the Company changed its name to Carbacid (CO2) Ltd. and a parent company, Carbacid Investments Ltd., was floated on the Nairobi Stock Exchange. Business continued to develop rapidly necessitating the purchase of more storage tanks, road tankers and an even larger, 1000 Kg per hour plant by 1975. Further expansion of the business warranted the acquisition of a Distiller's 2000 Kg per hour plant in 1980. By 1989 15 storage tanks and 6 tankers were in operation to satisfy demand. In order to ensure continuity of supplying the entire Kenyan bottling industry, a second Distiller's 2000 Kg per hour plant was purchased as a back up. In 1992 the Company began exploring the possibilities of exporting to the neighbouring countries of Uganda and Tanzania. As this export business grew 6 additional road tankers were added to cater for the longer journeys to these distant destinations. In 2001 the company chose to install additional Toromont's catalytic oxidation purification plant to ensure its CO2 continued to meet the ever-higher standards of quality demanded by the beverage industry.
The company supplies the highest quality (effectively 100% pure) CO2 in Africa to the entire market in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, Burundi. The Company's fleet of specialised tankers ranging in capacities from 6 to 20 tonnes deliver bulk liquefied CO2 to cuctomers site.
The success of Carbacid business has been achieved through focussing on:
- Technical competence
- Sound marketing
- Sound financial management.
Despite being in a strong supplier position, the Group has placed great emphasis on marketing and in meeting customer expectations. Senior management are regularly in touch with the customers to assess their needs and identify solutions.
Carbacid Investments Limited is a public limited liability company listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange with its registered office at 3rd Floor, Comcraft House, Haille Selassie Avenue, Nairobi. The Company HQ is located at Commercial Street Industrial Area, Nairobi, Kenya with Regional distribution facilities for compressed gas cylinders in Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu and Kampala.
The Group has a history of profitable trading and consistent growth.
