This year, leading South African boiler manufacturer John Thompson, a division within the ACTOM group, is celebrating its 90th year in business.
From left: Jaco Grobbelaar, CEO at John Thompson Industrial Division, Gladstone Mbili, CEO at John Thompson Utilities Division, Mervyn George, Management Consultant – Strategy & Governance.
Since 1935, John Thompson has supplied and maintained industrial and utility boilers across the country, building a reputation for technical expertise, reliability, and long-term customer support.
A legacy of lasting craftsmanship
In South Africa, the company’s story began with the importation of boilers from the UK. By 1954 it had evolved to establish a full local manufacturing facility at its Bellville factory in Cape Town, which remains the heart of the business’s industrial operations today. Over the past 70 years, John Thompson has produced about 5 000 package boilers and larger water-tube boilers that serve industries ranging from food and beverage production to sugar processing.
“Our journey from 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, 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.”
Delivering energy security
This history of craftsmanship and innovation underpins the business’s ongoing commitment to energy security and local economic development. John Thompson’s Utilities division has maintained a close partnership with Eskom since 2002, providing full-time maintenance across six of South Africa’s power stations. The division also completed a key project at the Koeberg nuclear power station. Each site is staffed by hundreds of local workers, with numbers increasing to over 800 during planned maintenance outages, supporting local job creation and skills development.
“We have built and maintained a significant portion of the country’s power infrastructure,” says Gladstone Mbili, Chief Executive Officer at John Thompson Utilities Division. “Our in-depth involvement with Eskom and regional power stations reflects our commitment to ‘keeping the lights on’. We constantly seek ways to improve energy availability and reliability to avoid load shedding.”
Looking ahead
John Thompson is leading green and alternative energy solutions in its field of business, helping customers optimise existing plants for lower emissions or assisting with conversions to cleaner fuels like wood chips. Through its research and development programme it is advancing renewable energy technology, including a new range of package boilers designed to burn green and/or low-quality fuels efficiently.
“We are committed to building a sustainable energy future,” adds Grobbelaar. “Our expertise extends globally as we export our technologies and services around the world. Through partnerships and financing models, we work to make clean energy accessible, managing and maintaining equipment so customers can focus on their core businesses.”
John Thompson is committed to its products and the people behind them. Through an annual intake of apprentices and engineers-in-training, the business cultivates local talent to build a skilled workforce with practical hands-on learning, prepared to meet the challenges ahead.
“Skills development is a key part of our broader commitment to sustainability and innovation,” says Mbili. “We currently have about 83 trainees in welding, fitting and boiler-making programmes, supported by an apprentice school where the next generation of engineers learns the ropes. By growing our own talent, we help strengthen South Africa’s industrial capacity and resilience.”
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.
For more information visit: www.actom.co.za
