Whiteheads Celebrates 100 Years in 2024
Whiteheads Painting & Redecoration have been synonymous with the building and coatings industry since 1924 and remains one of the leading , approved and preferred applicators in South Africa today
Fred Whitehead left his father Tom ’ s painting business in Oldham England in the 1920 ’ s , moving to the Eastern Cape , South Africa to continue his father ’ s legacy .
Mick , Fred ’ s son , then continued to grow the business in the early 60 ’ s following the path that his father and grandfather had forged . Fred and Mick made a formidable team , taking on the then growing South African Painting and Coatings industry .
Mick moved to Cape Town with his young family in the mid 60 ’ s and became entrenched in the Western Cape with Fred Whitehead and Sons – their company slogan being , The Painters .
In a short space of time Mick became an industry icon and was known for his ability to take on any project with vigour and passion , always completing on time and to the clients satisfaction . He did , and still does have a passion for the industry and has been involved with nearly every building in the greater Cape region . Some of the projects from this era include :
• Sanlam Parow
• Saldanha Iron Ore Facility
• Cavendish Square
• Golden Acre , Adderley Street
• Trust Bank / Absa building
• Commercial Cold Storage , Foreshore
• Koeberg Power Station
• Shell House
• BP Centre ( now LUNO )
• Cape Sun Hotel
• Old Mutual , Darling Street
• Woolworths Head Office
• Newlands Rugby Stadium
• Pier Place Foreshore ( now SARS )
• 22 Long Street
• Beacon Island Hotel
Fred and Mick ’ s business philosophy was passed on when they were joined by Ian Moir ( Mick ’ s son-in-law ) and Colin Whitehead ( Mick ’ s son ) in the mid to late 80 ’ s , both who still own and manage the business with the same ethos .
Ian and Colin continued to grow the business using the same business ethics and are a sort after resource by all the major developers and contractors .
In 2018 they restructured the business to involve their staff through ownership and are proud of the fact that almost all their staff and now partners , have long service records . The company is currently a Level 3 BEEE rated company and all of this is testament to their continued business ethos . Whiteheads is a truly South African business ; their roots are invested in their staff for their development and wellbeing . Operating in the development and contracting environment means that their work becomes a physical manifestation of their efforts and is something that all at Whiteheads are proud of . Whiteheads staff , both office and site , remain the heart of the business .
The current company structure has recently been enhanced , by the appointment of two new Directors on the Contracting side , Rezah Benjamin and John van de Ross . Their years of service have proven valuable to the company , and this appointment allows them to assist in moving the company further into the future as a strong management team .
Whiteheads contribution in the industry has seen them involved with thousands of varying projects from big to small , mainly in the Western Cape and on occasion into the rest of the country . Some of the more recent projects include :
• Cape Town Airport
• Century City Urban Square
• Mount Nelson Hotel
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