Staycold International, a manufacturer of self-contained commercial fridges and freezers since 1979, have recently completed the first phase of expanding their factory in Parys, Free State. The expansion of 500m2 started when ground was broken in March last year, using local sub-contractors. Once the building expansion was complete, new sheet metal processing equipment and multi spot welding equipment was installed. The company’s phase two expansion has been planned to be completed in 2026. The developments are a direct result as the demand for Staycold’s products grows globally, cementing the need for expansion and ongoing technology development.
“This upgrade has ensured a more efficient and streamlined manufacturing flow, with the new area creating much needed space for new equipment that arrived in September and October 2025. Part of this new facility is an employee area, doubling as a training venue for the workforce. Training takes place every Friday and we have partnered with the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (MerSETA),” commented Lena le Roux, Managing Director of Staycold.
Staycold have installed a new Golden Spot SAI-1000DL-1 multi point spot welder. The mesh welding machine is an automated industrial welder that joins intersecting metal wires at many spots simultaneously to create welded wire mesh for applications like fencing, construction, auto parts and storage cages and is essential for mass production in manufacturing. In Staycold’s case the multi point welding machine, manufactured in Taiwan, has been specifically installed to accomplish high-speed and consistent manufacturing of the company’s refrigerator mesh trays, baskets and shelving
“The approach being used is the globally recognised Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to making factories work more efficiently and with higher quality. This helps in designing the factory to use space and resources more effectively, cut down on unnecessary steps, increase productivity, reduce errors and deliver products faster, more reliably and with less environmental impact.”
“We are expanding and growing as a company, even under the current challenging circumstances, which is testament to the credibility of Staycold’s name in the market with our bottlers, corporates and dealers. Our revised brand statement echo’s this as we see the fruits of this expansion. We are passionate about transparency and community, offering straightforward, refrigeration, trusted to work.”
“Although our current sheet metal processing equipment is still in good order and will continue to produce components in the future, the company has reached a stage where we need to optimise our efficiencies and increase capacity to meet demand. To do this you have to invest and we have begun a process that will see the company introduce new technology and equipment onto the production floor that will accelerate our fabrication, eliminate operational challenges and standardise on how we get things done,” continued le Roux.
Staycold added equipment to the press brake capabilities with the purchase of two new machines from Metal Chip Machinery. The WADH-135T/3200 is a powerful ADH CNC hydraulic press brake that offers 135 tons of force over a 3 200mm working length and is known for high accuracy, efficiency, and reliability, using advanced features like servo-hydraulic systems, automated controls and motorised crowning for consistent bends on various metals like steel, aluminium and copper
“In 2023 we installed a LASER ISSE F3000 RS Turccut LP series coil fed 3kW fiber laser cutting machine. The company has also purchased a Hugong hand-held fiber laser welder and a Cannon injection foaming machine to assist with the foaming division’s capacity and flexibility to insulate the cabinets.”
“The injection foaming machine was Staycold’s second foaming machine. All Staycold products are manufactured with environmentally friendly Ecomate insulation, as proper insulation plays a fundamental roll in overall system energy efficiency.”
New WADH press brakes
“Now we have added equipment to our press brake capabilities with the purchase of two new machines from Metal Chip Machinery.”
“The WADH-135T/3200 is a powerful ADH CNC hydraulic press brake for precision metal bending, offers 135 tons of force over a 3 200mm working length, known for high accuracy, efficiency, and reliability, using advanced features like servo-hydraulic systems, automated controls and motorised crowning for consistent bends on various metals like steel, aluminium and copper.”
“The second machine is a WADH-70T/2500 press brake, an energy-efficient CNC machine featuring a 70 ton bending force, 2 500mm working length, servo-hydraulic technology for accuracy (Y1/Y2 axes), automatic crowning, quick clamps, reliable components for stable, repeatable metal fabrication of various sheet metals and an advanced controller.”
Golden Spot: Multi point spot welder
“We have also installed a new Golden Spot SAI-1000DL-1 multi point spot welder for our mesh department. The mesh welding machine is an automated industrial welder that joins intersecting metal wires at many spots simultaneously to create welded wire mesh for applications like fencing, construction, auto parts and storage cages and is essential for mass production in manufacturing.”
A new WADH-70T/2500 press brake, an energy-efficient CNC machine featuring a 70 ton bending force and a 2 500mm working length has been installed by Metal Chip Machinery
“In our case the multi point welding machine, manufactured in Taiwan, has been specifically installed to accomplish high-speed and consistent manufacturing of our refrigerator mesh trays, baskets and shelving.”
“We are a manufacturer of self-contained commercial fridges and freezers primarily for the beverage and hospitality industries. We don’t only need quality materials to be a world-class manufacturer of quality products. We also need leading-edge machinery that can contribute to our productivity, efficiencies and flexibility. This is to upheld our promise of supplying durable, quality products,” explained le Roux.
“Technology will drive the company forward. We are embracing change and the new equipment will process the components faster and help us improve our efficiencies. However, the driving force in all of these developments is the quest for quality. We are not introducing change for the sake of change, especially in departments where production is working just fine.” concluded le Roux.
For more information on Staycold, contact them on TEL: 056 819 8097 or visit https://www.staycold.co.za or their LinkedIn page on https://www.linkedin.com/company/staycold-international-pty-ltd/
