Shamus Rennie
60 years later
By Malcom Rennie
M
y introduction to the 50-year celebration magazine was
titled ‘The History of Shamus Rennie (Pty) Ltd’. Ryan, our
MD at the time, was quoted as saying that he was going
to take a great company to a really great one in
less than 50 years. This he has achieved in less than
10 but is not yet satisfied, so stand by… (my sons) had started part-time with the company.
When this branch began outstripping the head office in
turnover, the decision was made to relocate Shamus Rennie (Pty)
Ltd to Johannesburg, and 1993 marked the big move.
The rest, as they say, is history.
IN THE BEGINNING Coming back to work from January 2016 to
the end of March 2018 was not planned
but it did give me insight into the
”business family” rather than the family
business. It’s now been 26 years since
the big move to Johannesburg and the
business has continued to grow with
the life contributions of Carla, Ryan, Kyle
and many others such as Michelle, Bobby,
Lenny, and Trevor.
It also made me realise how doing
business now is far more complicated,
primarily from a human being perspective.
In general, people are far less disciplined, less
honest, and have less integrity now than 10 years
ago. Even a handshake has gone out of business: it’s lost
its credibility completely and now has to be delivered in some arb
format of hand movement, sometimes just a closed fist or a high
five. Don’t do a deal on it!
Fortunately, Ryan has developed a style of management that
takes into consideration the human deficiencies and continues
to deliver and improve the Shamus Rennie standards of doing
business with the help of his business family and similar-minded
suppliers, most of whose businesses have been around for at least
three decades.
I wonder how Shamus would feel if he could see what
happened to his one-man-band? He’d probably be even more
overwhelmed than I feel at this stage of my life. Just remember that
there is a whole lot more in this fourth generation family with the
opportunity to join the business family, including a Kaden Shamus
Rennie!
Shamus Arthur Rennie (after whom the
company was named) was born on
27 September 1912. He left Benoni in
1956 and moved to Port Shepstone
where he was employed by a company
called Combined Engineering. He was
joined by his then apprentice, Aubrey
Thompson, and in 1958 they established
a company called Rennie Thompson.
CHANGES COME
Shamus passed away suddenly at the end of
1968 and I (Malcolm), with the help of my mother
Constance, took over the business. As a tribute to
Shamus, the business was renamed Shamus Rennie (Pty) Ltd.
The focus was then mainly on refrigeration but in 1973, the first
consignment of Daikin window units came into the country and
Shamus Rennie (Pty) Ltd established a strong dealership with the
company Centurator who were the importers of the brand.
Constance retired in 1974 and I continued to run the business as
Managing Director, Fridge Mechanic, Salesman and LPG Technician!
By 1987 the company was well-established, owning both its Port
Shepstone and Marburg properties and controlling 80% of the air-
conditioning and refrigeration business in the Port Shepstone area.
Shamus Rennie (Pty) Ltd was also the biggest domestic distributor
of Mobil gas in South Africa at that stage.
BROADENING THE BUSINESS
During 1985, I realised the potential of providing air-conditioning
solutions for the banking institutions and refocused on this market,
starting to work countrywide at the request of these institutions.
Carla and Michael (my daughter and son-in-law) settled in
Johannesburg in 1991 with Michael establishing a Johannesburg
branch of the company. By 1992, Carla, along with Ryan and Kyle
www.shamusrennie.co.za • 0860 SHAMUS
THE NEW ERA
Malcolm Rennie
SHAMUS RENNIE • 60 YEARS • A THIRD GENERATION FAMILY BUSINESS • 5