Metraclark, part of the Beijer Ref international group, celebrated a vibrant customer evening at A’ la Turk restaurant in Gauteng.
EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Metraclark connects with customers in Centurion
By Eamonn Ryan
Metraclark, part of the Beijer Ref international group, celebrated a vibrant customer evening at A’ la Turk restaurant in Gauteng.
All images © Cold Link Africa
The gathering brought together contractors, suppliers and staff for a relaxed evening of networking, industry updates and opened with candid discussion on one of the sector’ s most pressing concerns: commercial crime.
The event was notable not just for its professional content, but also for
Kobus Hattingh, general manager of Metraclark.
Johan Jooste, Metraclark operations manager. the opportunity it offered attendees to reconnect, share experiences and enjoy social interaction in a friendly, informal environment.
WELCOMING CUSTOMERS
Kobus Hattingh, general manager of Metraclark, welcomed the assembled guests. While the Centurion branch had hosted an official reopening in 2022, this marked the first true customer evening since before the pandemic in 2020. Staff from the local branch were introduced, alongside representatives from Pretoria administration and head office teams, creating an atmosphere of connection and familiarity for attendees.
Hattingh highlighted the company’ s extensive footprint: 23 branches across South Africa and operations in several African countries, including Ghana, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Mauritius.“ Our way to market is clear – we do not compete with contractors. You are our business. We buy from manufacturers and distribute directly to you,” he told guests. This emphasis on partnership and support set the tone for the evening, framing Metraclark as a trusted intermediary between manufacturers and contractors.
ADDRESSING THE THREAT OF COMMERCIAL CRIME
A sobering segment of the evening presented by Metraclark credit manager Ivana de Necker focused on the rise of commercial crime in South Africa. Metraclark’ s credit division outlined alarming statistics: commercial fraud had increased in South Africa by 18.5 % in the past year alone, equating to nearly 400
Ivana de Necker, Metraclark credit manager. Kumar Singh, Carrier product manager.
14 www. coldlinkafrica. co. za COLD LINK AFRICA • November / December 2025