Chamwe Kaira
Local business group OL says its vision 2029 strategy aims to grow earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to N$2.5 billion while positioning the company among the world’s top 10 great places to work.
The group announced its targets while unveiling a new corporate identity as part of a wider transformation strategy focused on growth, leadership, and organisational culture.
OL said the strategy also aims to improve returns across all operating companies and achieve an OL Persona score above 85%.
The rebrand introduces the concept of “One OL”, which the company said reflects a more unified business operating under one culture and one identity.
Speaking at the launch, OL executive chairman Sven Thieme said the changes follow years of internal restructuring and cultural transformation.
“The identity reset follows several years of deliberate internal transformation, built on the core characteristics of our OL persona – authentic, caring and passionate,” Thieme said.
He said the company chose transformation instead of maintaining old systems and structures.
The new branding includes updated colours, revised typography, and the addition of “Est. 1919” to recognise the company’s founders: Herman Ohlthaver, Carl List, and Werner List.
OL also removed the ampersand from the Ohlthaver & List name and replaced it with a single integrated OL brand mark.
As part of the rebrand, the company’s headquarters on Independence Avenue in Windhoek has been renamed OL Haus.
The building has a long history linked to the company. Carl List bought the property in 1929, while the original Carl List Haus was built in 1965 and became one of the major landmarks in Windhoek’s central business district.
OL operates across several industries in Namibia, including fishing, aquaculture, dairy production, meat processing, retail, hospitality, renewable energy, engineering, information technology and property management.
Its operations include Hangana Seafood, Hangana Abalone, Namibia Dairies, Hartlief, Broll Namibia, O&L Leisure, O&L Energy, Mach 10 and Kraatz Engineering.
The company said the new identity reflects its long-term strategy to strengthen growth, improve performance and position the group for the future.
