NEWS
Shockproof riding
the wave in Jozi
Two years ago, Shockproof Investments set up a small depo in
Johannesburg, which grew to become the Gauteng branch for this
engineered tools and machinery company.
By Dineo Phoshoko | Photos by Shock Proof Investments
M
Trusses manufactured by Shockproof
Investments.
atthew McCathie, head of sales and marketing at Shockproof,
says the depot attracted some clients who encouraged the
business to establish an entire branch in Johannesburg. The
new branch would also assist the company in expanding further into
the market.
In addition to expansion, the new branch would allow Shockproof
to capitalise on available opportunities, especially in such a
competitive market. “We are trying to grow our company and brand,”
McCathie says.
The Johannesburg branch brings the total number of branches to
five with other branches spread across South Africa in Mpumalanga,
PE, Durban and Cape Town. McCathie explains that Shockproof can
now be counted among the many competitors based in Johannesburg.
“We are here in the same industry as other guys, but we do obviously
pride ourselves on service delivery. We can manufacture anything,
mainly targeting the building and roofing industry,” he adds. The
branch services clients in Johannesburg and Pretoria across different
sectors.
TRUSS4 SOFTWARE
Truss4 software in use.
The Johannesburg warehouse.
www.timberiq.co.za
In 2012 Shockproof Investments entered a new phase where a new
company - Design and Connectors SA - was established. The company
soon became a distributor of the TRUSS4 software, which designed by
Fine Ltd and the software is connected with punched metal plate
fasteners (nail plates).
TRUSS4 offers the complete processing of a project from the truss
design and quotation to the manufacturing documentation. It also
automatically generated outputs for machinery equipment. The
program is designed in such a way that working with it is simple and
can be used by employees with basic computer skills.
The software is different from others in the market, in that it is easy
to use and not too complicated. “It’s quite simple and not very
challenging to use. So, someone would need roughly about a month to
two months, and I reckon they would be operating that system
perfectly fine.”
An engineer from shockproof is available to assist clients with
technical issues that may arise. “Our engineer would come out to you
and spend a bit of time teaching you the ropes,” McCathie adds.
Shockproof Investments has the engineers, equipment and
expertise that enable them to customise certain products for clients in
different industries — which gives them a competitive edge.
“At end of the day, if someone comes up with a new product or
wants something made, and they can’t find anywhere, we give it a
bat,” he concludes.
// JUNE / JULY 2019
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