Established in 2004, Ptytrade 228 is an independent, family-run business that has grown into one of South Africa's leading technical and electrical supply companies. While it also distributes and stocks all major electrical brands throughout South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, the panel-building expertise is a key offering that has propelled the organisation forward in leaps and bounds.
In the highly technical field of electrical panel building, experience matters. At Ptytrade 228, based in Boksburg, through its panel building division 4iR Electrical Systems, two industry veterans with years of expertise bring unparalleled knowledge to every project they undertake.
José Carreira, engineering manager, and Thomas Theodoulou, business development manager, first worked together nearly 30 years ago at Klöckner-Moeller (now Eaton), where they honed their craft. Carreira managed the panel building workshop while Theodoulou worked in engineering. After years of working separately, they've reunited at Ptytrade 228, where they're applying their extensive knowledge to deliver exceptional quality.
"Between us, we've got something like 60 years of experience," explains Carreira, who joined Ptytrade 228 six years ago to develop the panel building division. Theodoulou joined a year ago, reuniting the "dream team".
Quality matters:
When it comes to sourcing electrical products and engineered solutions, there can be no room for compromise. You need a partner who can support you with tried-and-tested products, global capabilities, local expertise, and delivery.
“What sets us apart is our commitment to quality, timely delivery, ability and willingness to handle projects of any size. We pride ourselves in our quality and turnaround times and always try to make it as short as possible without compromising on quality," explains Carreira.
The company refuses to compromise on quality, using only reputable products that are SABS-certified. "We don't use anything simply because of the cheaper price. We only use products that are reputable," Carreira emphasises. All motor control centres (MCCs) and distribution boards are manufactured in accordance with IEC 61439-2 standards.
This dedication to quality extends to their operational standards. PtyGroup of companies is on the verge of receiving ISO 9001 certification, with their final audit expected to be completed this month. "We are a small company, but the product that we put out is just as good as any of the big players in the market," states Carreira proudly.
Thanks to its smaller size and adaptability, Ptytrade 228 offers something the larger companies often can't – a personal touch. "Anybody can come and see us at any time. We have an open-door policy," says Carreira.
“All projects are handled on an individual basis, from quotation stage on the placement of the order to engineering, manufacturing, delivery of the final product to the client, and final handover,” explains Theodoulou.
Future growth plans
Looking to the future, Ptytrade 228 is focused on growth in several key sectors. "We focus on the water industry quite a bit currently," Carreira notes, while also mentioning future opportunities in renewables and mining operations further north in Africa, particularly in the DRC, Mozambique, and Zambia. Theodoulou also indicated that future growth will be focused on the Food & Beverage industry, photovoltaic plants, as well as Mining, Minerals, & Metals.
With its wealth of experience, commitment to quality, and customer-focused approach, Ptytrade 228 stands ready to handle the distribution of electrical consumable products as well as electrical panel building projects of any scale, delivering solutions that are built to last.
