HISTORY
Penbro Kelnick was established in 1949 under the name PENBRO CONVERTERS. The name, “Penbro” was created by combining the establisher’s, Mr.PENchard and Mr. Hutton – BROwn’s surnames. Penbro initially produced short-wave converters for AM radio receivers, hence "CONVERTORS".
When Penbro was registered in the 1951, Mr. Penchard resigned from the company to establish his own radio production company named Amalgamated Radio. Fortunately Mr. Hutton-Brown directed the company in a different direction - manufacturing transformers, wire wound resistors and coils for contactors and relays
As Penbro gained more experience in the electrical field, they manufactured more complex devices such as electro-mechanical phase-sequence relays. In 1977 the Fordsburg production facility became too small to cater for the increasing production output, so Penbro moved to the Babelegi Industrial Estate in Hammanskraal, but their sales office continued to operate from Fordsburg. Penbro developed and built a winding machine for the manufacturing of edge-wound resistors that are used in railway locomotives. This machine is still in production to this day. Penbro Kelnick soon became renowned as an innovative manufacturer specializing in designs according to customer requirements.
The present managing director Mr. Hermann van Aarde, joined Penbro in 1964. His contribution to the company was, and still is, the reason for its stability and growth. Mr. van Aarde is admired in several media publications for his remarkable contribution in creating jobs for the Hammanskraal community. Mr. Van Aarde, born in Germany, moved to South Africa in 1948 after his parents sadly lost their lives in the Second World War. He felt compassion for the less privileged local community and therefore employed people rather than machines, which financially benefited hundreds of people.
In 1980 Penbro was renamed to PENBRO KELNICK (PTY) LTD. with the incorporation of KELNICK DEVELOPMENT. When the 1400m² floor-space at the Hammanskraal facility became too small, a further 2000m² was added. In 1992 the factory was moved to a larger premise in the area and in 2005 a second production facility was established in the same street. Currently, PENBRO KELNICK (PTY) LTD has a total floor space of about 7000m2.
The range of products manufactured by Penbro has grown steadily, to include all the products that are proudly displayed on our website.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
The company consists of seven different, but inter-dependent departments that form a family-like structure. Every department depends on each other to be successful, and to sustain the large range of products and services. Not only does Penbro focus on preferred market sectors, but also on the customer’s special requirements.
The departmental structure is simple- Penbro operates on a horizontal management system by which everyone has direct access to the managing director. The workforce has been trained by key personnel and everyone working at Penbro takes responsibility for their own actions with respect to production and quality.
Penbro encourages its employees to fulfil their role in the company to their utmost potential and also in achieving personal goals within their careers. Penbro currently employs about 130 people who have an average service period of 15 years.
TARGETS
Our aim is to serve our customers to the best of our ability by:
• Performing our best - better quality, products and service.
• Offering reliable, safe and economical solutions without sacrificing quality.
PRODUCT PHILOSOPHY
Every product designed and manufactured by PENBRO has our brand name - a fingerprint for the company:
• Designing products by implementing reliable, quality and available components.
• Centralized research and development secures resources to one team.
• Products are designed to the requirements of the customer, which ensures a flexible and long lasting business relationship.
• Designing and manufacturing of products reflects our admirable craftsmanship.
STRATEGY & VISION
Penbro’s primary focus is on the railway infrastructure, telecom, industrial and commercial energy solutions - serving a customer, providing project consultants and offering installation contractors. Penbro undertakes to continue to implement current technology. We look forward to finding more opportunities and contracts in future with the local and greater African market.
STANDARDS
Our products and services conform to the highest standard of quality in accordance to the requirements of the SABS 0142 and international DIN ISO 9001:2008 specifications.
FUTURE GOALS
We foresee a huge demand for better quality power systems. Our solution, which we have already implemented for this future predicament, is that we established relationships with international specialist firms. Having all this at hand, we are more than confident in approaching projects with more experience than before.
WHY CHOOSE US?
A “one-stop-power-shop” explains exactly what Penbro is. With our vast range of power applications and “customer comes 1st” declaration, we can meet every customer’s needs.
|
