90 Years and no signs of stopping

For boiler manufacturer John Thompson, a division of Actom (Pty) Ltd, the past nine decades has been one that proved them as frontrunners in engineering leadership and transformative innovation in South Africa.

John Thompson designs, manufactures, constructs, maintains and retrofits industrial watertube and firetube boilers with steam outputs of up to 320 t/h for process steam and power generation applications.

A celebration event was held on Friday, 29 August hosted at the carbon-neutral, 4-star Hotel Verde in Cape Town. Stakeholders, clients, John Thompson employees, and members of the media gathered to commemorate this significant and inspirational milestone that firmly marks the company as a one stop global energy supply partner.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

“John Thompson has stood the test of time, “said Chairman Phillip Dukashe. He continued by saying that only a handful of companies in South Africa, or even around the world, can stake the same claim.

With a history humbly dating back to the building of John Thompson’s iron boat in 1824, to the first boiler build in South Africa in 1954 and obtaining 50% BEE status in 2004, John Thompson achieved in building a legacy. A bold dream of a future, creating a story of growth, transformation and innovation, has proven John Thompson a leader in the industry, standing shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.

“Our journey of starting out as a boiler-building pioneer to becoming a comprehensive energy solution provider reflects a proud South African legacy that combines local expertise with global reach,” says Jaco Grobbelaar, Chief Executive Officer at John Thompson Industrial Division.

“We are the only boiler manufacturer in Africa that is also an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), supplying products known for their durability and quality. Recently, we decommissioned a John Thompson boiler, one of the first built in our Bellville factory 70 years ago, that was still fully operational. This is proof of the lasting craftsmanship we deliver.”

Clients include the hospital-, wine-, energy-, electrical-, hospitality-, sugarcane and wine industries. John Thompson also supplies manufacturing components and are essentially a leader in steam generation solutions.

“We have built and maintained a significant portion of the country’s power infrastructure,” notes Gladstone Mbili, Chief Executive Officer at John Thompson Utilities Division. “Our in-depth involvement with Eskom and regional power stations illustrates our commitment to ‘keeping the lights on’. We actively seek ways to improve energy availability and reliability to avoid load shedding.”

THE INFLUENCE OF STEAM

Although not visible, steam is very evident and can change lives. Industrial CEO Jaco Grobbelaar said his appreciation for steam started when he joined John Thompson.

When asked what makes steam memorable for him, Utilities CEO Gladstone Mbili recalled a memory of travelling with a steam train during his younger years.

In layman’s terms a boiler can be described at a large kettle and John Thompson is in the market of selling steam, from the design of the boilers right through to construction and maintenance thereof.

SKILLS AND TALENT

John Thompson is committed to training and has one of the best training schools in South Africa, focussing on investing in the talent and calibre of the South African skillset.

“We have a skills shortage, but with our training modules we have several success stories,” Grobbelaar explained and went on to say that with 180 people in development and training, like the apprenticeship programme, experts are being pushed back into the market. “They often return to John Thompson,” he continued.

A third of the trainees in the skills development programmes are female and Grobbelaar discussed the role females play in the industry, saying that, “they are doing well. More females are coming into the workforce, and we will see a gender profile change in the next five to ten years.”  He also commented on the magnificent handskills that females are showing in the trade.

A GREENER FUTURE

John Thompson’s approach to the transformation of waste byproducts is one that heroes a sustainability-focused approach that minimizes environmental impact whilst unlocking new economic opportunities for their clients.

“The world demands sustainability.” Dukashe mentioned during his open remarks, adding that John Thompson offers sustainability through innovative engineering.

With signed technology agreements in place, John Thompson partners with suppliers who provide efficient solutions that capture and remove the air pollutant particles right at the point source. Clients with an air-quality challenge can discuss their needs with the qualified ream at John Thompson.

John Thompson provides innovative solutions developed by a team of professionally registered engineers and confidently offers performance guarantees, including verified emission reductions, for systems utilizing these products.

With a vision to, “be a global leader in energy and environmental solutions through value engineering and innovation.” – https://www.johnthompson.co.za/company/- and a 90 year history to proof their track record, John Thompson has a clear image of the green future they anticipate and pursue.

A CULTURE BUILT ON A LEGACY

John Thompson actively engages in the internship market and currently supports around 80 active bursary recipients. With the YES Programme (Youth Employment Service), young South Africans are provided 12-month work experience, skills development, and career opportunities in the energy and environmental solutions industry. The recipients, youth under a certain age who hold relevant degrees or diplomas, are offered a structured environment to gain hands-on experience and build professional networks.

At John Thompson, some employees are proud third-generation workers, reflecting a deep legacy of loyalty and craftsmanship. Motivating an emotional culture where people want to work has proven part of the John Thompson success story and continues to be the foundation of their business.

Investing in people and communities is a key area of impact at John Thompson, said Group CEO Mervyn Naidoo.

Naidoo, an engineer by profession, continued to put emphasis on the importance of investing in children from a young age. He touched on the matters of social challenges, poverty and the inequality we are faced with in South Africa.

CONCLUSION

For some, like Gladstone Mbili, the tipping point was the partnerships built to help provide energy security.  For Grobbelaar, it’s the deep sense of pride he experiences and witnessing the passion in the work and, “being part of something greater, and making a difference.”

As John Thompson celebrates 90 years of service, it reaffirms its dedication to advancing South Africa’s energy transformation. With a legacy built on quality and a future focused on clean, reliable solutions, the business is ready to meet the evolving needs of the energy and industrial sectors. “Our history inspires us, but it is our mission that drives us forward. We will continue to deliver innovative solutions that create lasting value for our customers, communities, and the environment,” Grobbelaar concludes.

From boilers and transformers to energy management and training, John Thompson’s unwavering commitment and community-driven approach play a vital role in advancing the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The success of the past 90 years of John Thompson is shaped by dedicated individuals it indicates a clean, prosperous future and a thriving tomorrow.