Bizerba and Avocet Scales & Labels Drive Connected Retail in Southern Africa
Bizerba Southern Africa and Avocet Scales & Labels proudly announce their strategic partnership for distribution of Bizerba’s retail portfolio in the Sub-Saharan African region.
This is a collaboration which is bound to strengthen both companies’ presence in the region, by combining Bizerba’s global expertise in connected retail solutions with Avocet’s extensive local market knowledge, national footprint, and service capability — delivering scalable, future-ready retail technology to customers across the region.
A partnership designed for a changing retail landscape
Retailers across Southern Africa are increasingly adopting digital and connected solutions to improve efficiency, visibility, and customer experience. The partnership between Bizerba and Avocet was initiated in response to growing demand for advanced PC-based retail scales, AI-driven solutions such as object recognition, fraud prevention, ecommerce or instore ordering, real-time data architectures, and cloud-enabled software platforms — capabilities increasingly requested by leading retail groups, franchise operators and small retail stores alike.
“We started engaging with Bizerba as we were looking for a solution that brings together advanced hardware with cloud-based software and object recognition. Retailers are moving towards PC-based and connected scale solutions, and Bizerba’s technology allowed us to address that shift with confidence.” — Vincent Langlois, Avocet Scales & Labels
Through this collaboration, retailers gain access to modular weighing and labelling solutions, including linerless labelling with automatic cutting, operator authentication, and remote diagnostics just to name a few standard solutions — all backed by reliable local after-sales support.
Combining global innovation with strong local execution
Avocet’s well-established presence, with 11 branches across South Africa and an extended Sub-Saharan distribution network, ensures that Bizerba’s technology can be deployed and supported at scale.
“What stood out about Bizerba was the quality of both the equipment and the software platforms. This partnership enables us to offer our customers market-leading technology that is modular, future-proof, and supported locally — something that is critical in today’s fast-moving retail environment.” — Jim Pinder, Avocet Scales & Labels
By combining Bizerba’s global product portfolio with Avocet’s market intelligence, service infrastructure, ability to compete in a tough, price-driven market with dedicated customer service and proximity to customers, the partnership reduces total cost of ownership. It ensures faster response times, local stock availability, and dependable long-term support.
What this means for Bizerba — and for retailers
“When we started engaging with Avocet, it quickly became clear that there was strong alignment in values, market understanding, and long-term ambition. Avocet’s national footprint, technical expertise, and deep relationships within the retail sector make them an ideal partner to bring Bizerba’s connected retail and weighing solutions to market at scale.
Together, we are well positioned to support retailers with technology that is both globally proven and locally supported,” says Christian Schiess, Managing Director, Bizerba Southern Africa.
“From a global Bizerba perspective, the partnership with Avocet strongly aligns with our strategy of deepening our presence in key growth regions such as South Africa and the broader Southern African market.
By combining global innovation with strong local execution, we are able to serve regional customers with greater responsiveness and relevance.” — Ante Todoric, Managing Director Business Unit Retail, Bizerba.
For retailers, the collaboration provides confidence to adopt advanced, connected retail technologies at scale — without the risk often associated with complex digital transformation. This partnership ensures access to internationally proven technology alongside reliable local support as retailers adapt to changing consumer expectations and operational demands.
The teams of Avocet and Bizerba at the recent EuroShop specialised retail expo in Düsseldorf, Germany: Jim Pinder, Vincent Langlois & Wesley Stodardt (Avocet) with Andreas Kraut & Christian Schiess (Bizerba).
Looking ahead
Both organisations see strong potential in connected, centrally managed retail solutions that enable consistent operations across large and diverse store networks — without the need for regionally fragmented systems. The goal is a fast, reliable, centrally managed retail environment that scales across the region.
About Bizerba
Founded in 1866, the family-owned company from Balingen is now in its fifth generation and continues to shape technological progress. As an innovation leader, Bizerba consistently drives the digitalisation, automation, and connectivity of its solutions — creating reliable and sustainable outcomes that help customers worldwide make their processes more efficient and future-ready.
As a market-leading supplier of solutions for Retail and Industrial weighing & inspection solutions, Bizerba invested in growth in Sub-Saharan Africa by establishing its own subsidiary and regional Head Office in South Africa in 2014, strongly underlining its commitment to the market and the region.
Bizerba offers a globally unique portfolio of solutions centred around the key factor of “weight” for customers in craft, retail, industry, and logistics. Its offering includes comprehensive solutions for slicing, weighing, labeling, and inspection — spanning hardware and software, apps and cloud services, labels and consumables, comprehensive services, and flexible leasing models.
With around 4,500 employees, Bizerba operates in over 120 countries, with production facilities across all continents — supported by a global network of sales and service locations.
More information: www.bizerba.com
About Avocet Scales & Labels
Avocet Scales & Labels is a leading Southern African supplier of weighing and labelling solutions, recognised for its service-driven approach, national footprint, and commitment to long-term customer partnerships.
Established in 2001, Avocet Scales and Labels started in Johannesburg and Cape Town and now proudly stands as a nationwide South African company. With its main hub, warehouse, and label factory, this home-grown gem serves its 11 branches across South Africa.
Avocet Scales and Labels provides a large selection of weighing scales, label printers, backed by innovative solutions. They offer wrapping film and labels, complete with guarantees when paired with the right equipment. “We’re absolutely dedicated to serving up exceptional, dependable services, labels, and tailored solutions.”
More information: https://avocetscales.co.za
