When it was suggested that Afribrand was Armato's main competitor in the informal market, Levitas pointed out that it has at least 80 competitors, some with similar labelling. Quality control, from raw ingredients to the finished product, is in the factory's laboratory. Various checks and controls are in place. Sifting prevents small maize particles mixing with whole grits in the production of Twiggles. These particles are on-sold for cattle feed.
Nothing is wasted - the used sunflower oil for frying is sold to fish and chip producers.
To prevent shrinkage, rigid stock controls are at every point of the operation from the raw-materials receiving bay through to the finished goods warehouse. Armato has 200 factory workers and 30 administrative staff, and in the group as a whole 500 in manufacturing and distribution, and 60 office workers and management. The work force is not unionised, the workers opting to quit their union in 1997. A share option scheme through the Armato Trust, provides employees with the opportunity to share the Group's success. As at end-June 1997, 1m shares had been issued to the Armato Trust for distribution to employees in terms of the share option scheme.