Trusted SA biltong company on the warpath as multinational ignores court trademark ruling

Takis Biltong is a trusted brand that's been supplying South Africans with its products for close to 45 years.

But it's still under threat from Mexico's Grupo Bimbo, after winning a case against the multinational that is using the Takis trademark to sell its own product - tortilla chips.

It took almost nine years of legal battles before the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in the local company's favour in December 2023.

At the time, CEO Taki Aristides pointed out that the imported Takis Fuego brand had exactly the same name and trademark as theirs.

Aristides tells Ray White that, despite the December ruling, the Mexican product is still available freely in most local stores.

"We've been trying to speak to the retailers holding the stock and tell them to withdraw it. We've also tried to contact Grupo Bimbo and their importers, but they seem to be making money out of it so I think it's worth the risk to them."

Taki Aristides, CEO - Takis Biltong

Aristides describes Grupo Bimbo as getting 'a step forward for free', because of the similarity in branding and resulting confusion for consumers.

He says the long court battle has been a huge financial strain on them, and it's frustrating that they now have to resort to taking further legal action.

"We've exhausted all avenues as far as being reasonable... so now we will be moving forward legally and actually bringing legal action against anybody selling it or bringing it into the country."

"We're trying through the retailers to stop them, and use their sympathy for us. We've been around for 45 years; there should be some kind of loyalty from our retailers and maybe the public as well to keep these guys out of here."

Taki Aristides, CEO - Takis Biltong