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Dana Group stands out obviously amongst the most respected operators in the Nigerian food industry. It has in the last 9 years, has established itself as a major player in the Nigerian economy. The company has made an invaluable contribution to the growth of the economy through a wide network of subsidiaries that cut across virtually all sectors of the economy. Its businesses range from automobiles, electronics to pharmaceuticals, food and steel production.
Although Dana Group started as a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in the mid eighties with a commitment to bettering the lives of Nigerians, it gradually diversified into chemical and commodities importation before entering the automobile sector by acquiring the franchise for the distribution of Kia brand of vehicles in Nigeria in 2002.
The fact that it has made a success of this is partly accounted for by the fact that the brands have become acceptable in the market. It won the 2003 distributor of the year award from Kia Motors Corporation, manufacturer of the Kia brand of automobiles, while the KIA Sportage, one of the cars marketed by DANA Motors, was recently nominated as the car of the year in the 2007 edition of the Thisday Awards.
DANA Motors has successfully set the pace in automobile franchising and sales in Nigeria. The company presently has showrooms in all the major cities across the country.
Dana Group is touching the lives of Nigerians through engaging them in its subsidiary companies such as Dana Industries Limited, Dana Electronics, Dana Pharmaceuticals and Ashmina Limited among others.
Dana Industries Limited ensures the availability of quality rice, milk powder and Aquadana water to consumers across the country. It also packages Danaco Full Cream Milk Powder, a product that has received wide acceptance since it was launched into the market in June last year.
The company will be launching its brand of instant noodles. Sun Yum Instant Noodles in the next few months.
Dana Electronics Limited on the other hand, is an exclusive distributor for Philips in Nigeria, and offers wide range of audio/video and IT systems. It shares the Philips' mission of developing environment friendly technology that is safe and easy to use. The company recently acquired the franchise to distribute Whirlpool home appliances in Nigeria, as well as that of Sansui Electronics.
Here is one firm which has ensured the maintenance of a healthy nation through Ashmina Limited, by providing consumers with Aquadana table water, and high quality life-saving intravenous fluids. The company manufactures its products using stringent international standards and processes. Additionally, Dana Drugs Limited distributes pharmaceutical products including Paradana, Ferrodan and Danacid, which are all manufactured locally, along with other affordable surgical products that are essential tothe healthcare industry.
With Dana Impex Limited, the group supports the corporate world with a wide range of high quality printing and publishing paper products imported from various parts of the globe. Some of the products include A4 Paper, wood free bond paper, newsprint, art boards, art cards, bank paper, carbonless paper and among others.
Through Dana Plastics Limited, the group provides consumers with NIS certified quality household plastic products like chairs, plates, baskets, mugs, buckets, and containers of various sizes.
The Dana conglomerate is ever expanding into new business ventures; the group recently acquired steel mill in Katsina State. With this acquisition, the company will move up from being an importer of high quality steel sheets and coils to a manufacturer and exporter of steel products. This will in no small way boost Nigeria's foreign exchange earnings while creating more jobs for the people.
Dana Steel will be investing N1.8 billion in the first phase of the steel mill revitalisation plan. On completion, the plant will produce at the installed capacity of 207, 000 metric tonnes per annum. This can be expanded to produce 405,000 metric tonnes and is expected to yield NI8 billion in 2007 when it will be fully on stream.
Through Dana Services Limited, the group is working in collaboration with the British High Commission to ensure that the best advice, technical assistance and support is given to both new and regular British visa applicants thus reducing the hassles Nigerians face while seeking visas.
Dana Group is also consolidating its position in the foods sector with its investment in a rice mill which is expected to commence operation in February 2007. The Group will also be making a foray into other exciting sectors of the Nigerian economy in 2007.
Dana Group founded the Sri Sai Vandana Foundation in 1995 as a corporate social responsibility. The organisation works with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local and state governments to enhance the lives of rural dwellers by providing them with health and educational facilities.