The Sixties - Starting Out

In June 1963, a small engineering firm opened its doors for the first time. Operating out of a tiny yard situated in Belgravia, Johannesburg, South Africa, the company's primary concern was the design and manufacture of various quality wire-welded display products and forged overhead line equipment. It was the industrial processes involved in producing these products, forging and welding, which gave rise to the company's name: Forgeweld.

In 1965, Forgeweld started manufacturing its first products for the South African petroleum industry. At first, this was confined to 2 200 litre BTF (Bulk to Farmer) Tanks for use in the agricultural and civil engineering sectors. The company also developed and manufactured a successful range of lawnmowers and meat saws. To accommodate the manufacture of its new products, the company moved its operations to larger premises in Germiston, Johannesburg.

The Seventies - Rapid Growth

At this time, petroleum companies ceased delivery of fuel in oil drums, preferring instead to deliver in bulk using BTF Tanks. This increased demand for BTF Tanks resulted in Forgeweld experiencing a period of rapid growth. In 1973, output exceeding the capabilities of our Germiston plant and a gap in the market having been identified, we relocated to a bigger, modern manufacturing facility in Babalegi, outside Pretoria.

Business continued to boom and by 1978 the demand for Forgeweld BTF and underground storage tanks was so great that an additional manufacturing facility had to be opened in Isithebe in the coastal province of kwaZulu-Natal.

The Eighties - Consolidation

Forgeweld capitalised on the headway made during its first twenty years in business, consolidating its position as a leading tank manufacturer and supplier in South Africa. The company also ventured successfully into the civil engineering market, supplying pile casings for several major bridge construction projects undertaken by the South African government, as well as computerised toll equipment for the new toll roads being constructed in the country.

The Nineties - Environmental Concern

Increasing public concern for the environment resulted in pressure to develop products which would protect the Earth's natural resources from degradation. As far as the petroleum industry was concerned, this necessitated the development of tanks which would ensure the safe underground storage of fuels by preventing leakage into the soil in which they were buried. Unhappily, most of the tanks installed the world over during the fifties, sixties and seventies did not have adequate corrosion protection. Since fuel leakage is caused largely by the corrosion of the tank wall, a result of substandard coatings being applied to it, Forgeweld recognised the need to manufacture a product which would offer the best possible system for the prevention of leakages resulting from corrosion.

To this end, Forgeweld sent an investigative team to the United States, Europe and Korea. Their mission was to research different manufacturing techniques and products in operation in these countries. After much consideration, the team chose the options they considered provided the best solution for African conditions: the Permatank® ("Jacketed") Tank and the Forgeweld Composite Tank.

In order to be allowed to manufacture these products in South Africa under licence form the Permatank Corporation of the USA, the company had to meet strict criteria. Permatank Corporation conducted an extensive audit of our activities and thoroughly inspected our manufacturing facilities before a Licence Agreement was eventually signed. We consequently qualified for acceptance as a member of the Steel Tank Institute of America (STI), as well as the American Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) , and were awarded the American Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 1746 standard. Being a member of such highly credible organisations such as STI and PEI and having UL accreditation exposes Forgeweld to the latest technology in tank design and fuel storage systems, ensuring that we are always at the forefront of tank technology.

With the emergence of democracy in South Africa came Forgeweld's first forays into the global marketplace when we started exporting our internationally accredited products to other countries in Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands, Australia and Asia.

Y2K and Beyond - Conquering New Horizons

Today, Forgeweld boasts two efficient manufacturing facilities, employing  many local people from surrounding areas, and has sales offices in four major cities in South Africa: Johannesburg, Durban, Bloemfontein and Cape Town. In addition, we have agents for our products in Singapore, Bahrain, the Indian Ocean Islands and several African countries. We are the leading supplier of both aboveground and underground fuel storage systems to the petroleum industry in Africa and are rapidly expanding our presence on the world stage, exporting quality products all over Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands, the Middle East and Asia. Our product range encompasses both perennial favourites such as the Forgeweld BTF Tank, the Permatank® ("Jacketed" UST), the Forgeweld Composite UST, as well as revolutionary fuel storage systems such as our Fireguard® products. Our factories and manufacturing procedures are regularly inspected and our products analysed to ensure that our quality is up to the tough standards demanded by them.

In keeping with its industrious and innovative heritage, Forgeweld has expanded its product range to include exciting tank ancillary equipment. We recently secured new licensing agreements and agencies from the likes of Hockmann-Lewis of the USA, as well as from some of Europe's top manufacturers, including NUPI of Italy.  As renewable resources become ever more important forms of clean energy, Forgeweld is determined to keep abreast of the latest trends and developments and is looking at ways in which the company can contribute to renewables technology. We aim to supply our customers with the ultimate fuel storage solutions.

Forgeweld.

Forging Friendships. Forging Ahead.

Here's to the next 40 years!