The History of Stewarts & Lloyds
“The use of history is to give value to the present hour and
it’s duty” R. W. Emerson
“Our chief interest in the past is as a guide to the future”
Dean W. R. Inge
Lloyds & Lloyds
British owned company Lloyd & Lloyd opens two branches in South Africa, one in Cape Town and the other in Kimberley. A & J Stewart & Menzies in Britain have a presence in South Africa being represented by Brown & McKenzie.
Stewarts & Lloyds is founded
Seeing the need to consolidate their South African interests, the companies amalgamate to form Stewarts & Lloyds (South Africa) Limited and expand their
branch network to include Bloemfontein, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London and Johannesburg
As the Company steadily progressed, it was decided to reconstruct the
organisation into a South African Company. Thus, Stewarts and Lloyds of South Africa Limited came into being with a share capital of £755,00. The Company carried on business at all the branches which had already been established in the leading cities and towns. It was also decided that the Head Office and Works should be situated at Vereeniging. Construction of the Tube Works at Vereeniging began, and after overcoming many obstacles, became the first seamless tube making plant in the Southern Hemisphere.
The War Years
The plant continued to grow and break records until, at the outbreak of the
war, the Vereeniging Works was in a position to make a large and valuable
contribution to the country’s war efforts. The Vereeniging Works moved over
to the manufacturing of shells, reshuffling a large portion of the skilled
personnel and employing women to fill the gaps left by men answering the call
for military service. In the course of shell making, some 6000 women workers
passed through the Works
It was decided that the Vereeniging Works should embark on the manufacture
of certain agricultural plant such as windmills, irrigation pumps, valves, etc, essential to farming, due to the reduction of imports and the subsequent difficulty to obtain such products. The self-contained factory was planned and brought into operation by November 1943, comprising a fully mechanised iron foundry, blacksmith’s shop and ancillary departments.
Mid Eighties
Dorbyl acquires the Stewarts & Lloyds group of companies some of which are sold off and the rest placed under the Dorbyl light and general banner. Stewarts & Lloyds trading remains a separate company in the Dorbyl stable.
The Mid Nineties
Robor industrial holdings, a Barloworld company enters into a joint venture with Dorbyl to run Stewarts & Lloyds Trading. Shortly thereafter RIH takes 100% control and renames the company Robor Stewarts & Lloyds.
Stockwell Acquires Stewarts & Lloyds
Barloworld state their intention to sell Robor Stewarts & Lloyds. Stockwell, a company of 15 years standing purchases Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Witbank, Rustenburg, Wadeville and Vereeniging branches to add to their current 10 nationwide branches. The Stewarts & Lloyds name is also purchased.
Stewarts & Lloyds Today
The CEO’s of Stewarts & Lloyds, started Stockwell in 1988 and subsequently,
since 2001, the entire branch network proudly absorbed the name Stewarts & Lloyds. Besides the national footprint having grown to 38 outlets, the product portfolio has grown from the traditional Stewarts & Lloyds offering to include a wide spectrum of steel products and added value services.
Snippets from S&L Magazine
A GLIMPSE INTO THE STEEL MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE 1930S
Stewarts & Lloyds Hardware
Stewarts & Lloyds Hardware is the cash and carry arm of the highly successful Stewarts & Lloyds group. Paying cash,is a “brilliant” method of securing greater savings. We accept all credit cards, as well as cheques. Cheques are guaranteed through CGS.
Free Delivery
We offer a free delivery service for the customer that cannot take a 6 metre length in his car. We will also cut the 6 metre length to the length you require.
*Terms and Conditions apply
We're Nationwide
Our nationwide network of 32 branches caters for everyone from the business entrepreneur to the DIY enthusiast. There are always specials on offer. Our Pricing is as competitive as the range is vast.
A TRUSTED NAME. AN ESTABLISHED REPUTATION.
Stewarts & Lloyds has a trading record of over 100 years! The name is synonymous with excellent service and good quality products.
