14 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I April 2026
GOLF DAY events and exhibitions
TECSARECO CELEBRATES MILESTONES AND MOMENTUM WITH GOLF DAY
By Eamonn Ryan
TecsaReco recently welcomed customers, suppliers and partners to its long-awaited golf day at Wingate Park Country Club – the first such gathering since before the COVID pandemic.
The event not only marked a return to in-person connection but also celebrated a remarkable milestone: 140 years of combined industry heritage between Tecsa and Reco. For general manager Marc Duthoit, the occasion represented far more than a round of golf.
“ It’ s really about saying thank you,” Duthoit explains.“ We had an exceptional year last year – despite difficult conditions in the industry – and that’ s thanks to our customers and suppliers.”
This year marks two major milestones: Tecsa turns 60 and Reco celebrates 80 years in business. Together, that represents 140 years of industry presence – a legacy few companies can claim.
The businesses have a rich and, at times, complex history. Reco began as a refrigeration company, while Tecsa was rooted in appliance spares. Over time, the two merged, later becoming part of the Beijer Ref Group. Along the way, ownership structures evolved, supplier relationships deepened, and the company developed the character and resilience that define it today.
“ Some of our supplier relationships stretch back decades. Today, our key partners include Danfoss and TCL. More recently, we’ ve proudly become the distributor for Bitzer, which is a significant addition to our portfolio,” Duthoit explains.
Internally, the sense of continuity is equally strong. While Duthoit himself has been with the company for four years, several team members have served for 30 or 40 years – a testament to the company’ s culture and stability.
A formal celebration of the dual anniversary is planned for spring, with historical photographs and company archives being compiled to honour the journey so far.
A BUSINESS BUILT ON FOUR STRONG PILLARS TecsaReco today operates across four key divisions:
• Commercial refrigeration
• Air conditioning
• Appliance spares
• Solar solutions( a newer division)
“ The first three divisions have long histories within the group. We introduced air conditioning about two decades ago, and over the past four to five years that division has grown particularly rapidly. Today, we rank among the five or six largest air conditioning players in South Africa, and we’ re currently the fastest growing in the sector,” says Duthoit
Appliance spares remain a dominant force. TecsaReco is the largest supplier of appliance spare parts in South Africa, serving everyone from major commercial installers to township technicians repairing domestic fridges. With more than 7 000 account customers – and countless walk-in clients – the customer base is broad and diverse.
As Duthoit puts it, the same technician who fixes a household fridge may also service a walk-in cooler at a local business – illustrating the crossover within the refrigeration market.
GROWTH, EXPANSION, NEW HEAD OFFICE The past six months have been particularly dynamic. TecsaReco has added four new branches, bringing the total to 28 across South Africa, with a 29th branch set to open soon.
Perhaps most exciting is the upcoming move to a new 10 000m ² head office and warehouse facility, scheduled for early June. The move represents a significant investment in modernisation and operational efficiency. Branch revamps are also underway nationwide, aligning the company’ s physical footprint with its forward-looking strategy.
TecsaReco general manager Marc Duthoit.
All images by © RACA Journal
14 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I April 2026