This archive report was first published on 5 August 2019.
Published on August 5, 2019, thousands of businesses collapse every year, but few have had the same impact as the Softa Bottling Company, the only Kenyan firm to take on global giant Coca-Cola and almost succeed.
The company's demise was sealed on July 30, when the registrar of companies issued a notice striking it off the register, effective October 30.
According to the notice, the company's name will be struck off the register unless cause is shown to the contrary, and the company will be dissolved.
Softa Bottling Company's annual turnover had grown to over Sh700 million before it stumbled and fell, with two manufacturing plants, one put up in 1997 and the other bought in 2003.
Founder Peter Kuguru expressed optimism, stating that every business has its challenges, and there are always lessons to be learned.
He also revealed that not all assets have been disposed of, and what is left of the plant is now owned by Kuguru Foods.
Mr. Kuguru hopes the plant will one day come back into operation when the government bans plastic bottles linked to cancer and replaces them with glass.
