NutriTech strives to manufacture sports nutrition products that can be trusted by professional athletes and people with active lifestyles.

 With a growing product range, from protein powder for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to fat burners for individuals wanting to shed those extra kilos, NutriTech is a firm favourite for the ever-growing market of people looking to improve their physique.

In a sense, then, NutriTech has a finger on the pulse and prospects for growth have never been healthier.

 The Port Elizabeth-based company, which was founded in 2011 by Jaco Serfontein, has a product for every need in the sports nutrition market and the sports field is the ultimate laboratory.

“As an athlete-focused company, we turn to professional athletes, teams and coaches for feedback when developing new products, thereby ensuring that the final product you receive has been tried and tested where it matters.”

Over the years, NutriTech has sponsored a number of high-profile professional athletes, including CrossFit athlete Dave Levey, former All Blacks rugby player Carlos Spencer, South African Paralympic gold medalist Kevin Paul, the Eastern Province Kings and Southern Kings rugby teams, as well as the Warriors cricket franchise.

Increasing range of products

What’s more, NutriTech has branched out into the breakfast cereal and food sector with its NuWay products.

“We also have our Endurade product range, which is aimed at the endurance market,” Serfontein says.

In addition to all that, the company also sells several sought-after branded items of fitness gear, which shows how far the brand has come, says brand manager Christopher Walton.

“People identify with the brand; they want to wear the gear,” he says.

 And the range of products is constantly evolving, complementing the majority of sporting codes. The entire product range is manufactured at NutriTech’s ISO 22000 certified factory in accordance with Good Manufacturing Principles (GMP) of using locally and internationally sourced ingredients.

Emphasis on quality

To maintain its competitive edge, NutriTech uses only top quality ingredients, such as whey powder imported from New Zealand. The company’s ISO 22000, GMP, and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) accreditations speak for its standards.

Factory upgrades

The need for equipment and upgrades to the factory prompted NutriTech to turn to MCEP.

“Along with the 50% we receive back on machinery and equipment purchases, as well as upgrades to our facility, NutriTech has also been approved to receive a grant,” Serfontein says. “This will assist us in training up staff even further as we look to grow the facility and the manufacturing line.”

The funds have already helped to speed up certain processes, and the grant has helped to increase the amount of working capital on hand.

“There is also the ability now to hire younger staff and give them training in not only the manufacturing field, but also in the administrative field.”

It comes off the back of “a very positive working relationship” with the members of the IDC we have dealt with throughout the entire process.

And the future is looking good for the company.

“We see NutriTech increasing production scope and capacity as we see the need in the industry, and bringing out more products that we feel will benefit our athletes and loyal customers. At the end of the day, each and every product that comes off our product line is a labour of the love we have for the industry.”