This year the Retecon Group of Companies, which began with the establishment of Retecon Machine Tools in 1970, celebrates 55 years in business. During this period the Group has built up a number of long-standing relationships with international machine, tooling and precision measuring equipment manufacturers from all over the world. The Group has evolved into one of the country’s most trusted and comprehensive providers of advanced manufacturing solutions – offering everything from state-of-the-art machinery and tooling to installations, training, servicing, calibrations, to after-sales support.

“All of us – current and past employees – have worked hard over the years to build the company to what it is today and maintain it as being one of the most respected in our industry. You’ve heard businesses declare that people are our greatest asset. Well, I certainly agree with that phrase and we cannot thank them enough,” said Chris Kroeger Managing Director and Executive Chairman of the Retecon Group.

“But like a modern five-axis machine that has been built to hold tolerances accurately and consistently we all have to be driven and want to succeed and reach the same heights for our customers. This positive attitude and vision is synonymous with what the Retecon Group of companies associates itself with.”

Recently retired Hans-Peter Neth and current MD and Executive Chairman Chris Kroeger

“The Retecon Group is a major player in the South African machine tool industry. From the beginning, our founder the late Burkard Herrmann, installed a sense of pride in all of us with a constant reminder of the word’s precision, innovation and service. These words translate into the major brands and companies that are our partners, some for over 40 years, and the outlook of the three companies within the Group: Retecon (Pty) Ltd, Puma Machine Tools (Pty) Ltd and Retecon Service (Pty) Ltd.”

“Together, these divisions form a complete one-stop solution for the South African metalworking manufacturing and engineering sector – delivering world-class products backed by unrivalled technical expertise and customer care.”

“The variety of products marketed and serviced by the Group cover all the disciplines in metalworking: Cutting, forming, shaping and removal. These include vertical and horizontal machining centers, turning centers, large boring mills, profile cutting and drilling lines, grinding machines, laser cutting systems, bending machines, punching and forming machinery, automatic sawing equipment, roll forming and tube bending machinery, manufacturing lines for tubes, presses, measuring equipment and much more.”

The Retecon Group has evolved into one of the country’s most trusted and comprehensive providers of advanced manufacturing solutions – offering everything from state-of-the-art machinery and tooling to installations, training, servicing, calibrations, to after-sales support

“Measuring and inspection equipment includes portable measuring arms, turned parts measuring, probing systems, laser measuring equipment, surface and form measuring, contact systems, fixturing, software, reverse engineering software, photogrammetry and white light scanner systems.

“The Retecon Group can supply complete machining facilities, manage and supply equipment for turnkey projects for machining of all types of complex automotive components such as inlet/outlet manifolds, crank shafts, cam shafts, conrods, cylinder block machining, complete forging lines, gear and gearbox manufacturing cells, hardening plants, to name a few but not limited to these areas.”

“The core of the Group’s client portfolio is made up of companies, large and small, in the aerospace, automotive, tool and die, transport, mining, power generation, structural steel and service centre, defence, construction and general engineering industries.”

Management
“Core to the success of any company is its staff and management. A number of well-known personalities in the South African machine tool, tooling and metalworking industries have worked at the Retecon Group. But what is very noticeable amongst most of the staff is the longevity in the years that they have been employed,” said Kroeger proudly.

Retecon supplies a diverse range of machinery covering laser cutting, punching, bending, welding, marking, additive manufacturing, CNC machining, sawing, grinding, and measuring technologies

“It is even more noticeable amongst the management of the company. I have been with the Group since 2007 and was appointed Managing Director in 2016, having succeeded Hans-Peter Neth who was appointed CEO and Executive Chairman. Hans-Peter retired in July 2025 and I have now succeeded him as the Managing Director and Executive Chairman.”

“Sales Director Mike Lee has been with the company over 25 years and Financial Director Wynand Wium joined in 2015.”

Retirement
“A notable event in the Group this year has seen the retirement of Hans-Peter Neth, who joined the company in 1979 in the service department, having qualified in Switzerland. Hans-Peter reluctantly retired after over 46 years of service and had risen to the position of Executive Chairman.”

Complementing Retecon’s European partnerships, Puma Machine Tools brings world-class technology from leading South East Asian manufacturers

“During his time with the Group there were many notable achievements with Hans-Peter overseeing a number of important turnkey projects in the South African engineering industry. Hans-Peter moved to Cape Town in 1981 to oversee the implementation of equipment at Atlantis Diesel Engines (ADE), an engine machining and assembly plant that was built in the early 1980s, to manufacture Mercedes-Benz and Perkins diesel engines for the South African commercial and agricultural markets.”

“He would subsequently become the company’s Technical Manager before moving into sales and also becoming a shareholder. He was appointed Managing Director in 2000 and subsequently the CEO and Executive Chairman.”

Retecon (Pty) Ltd
Since 1970, Retecon (Pty) Ltd has represented some of the world’s most respected manufacturing brands, including TRUMPF, Ficep, Heller, Kasto, Studer, Alpha Laser, and Hexagon Metrology, to name a few.

The Retecon Group provides an even broader range of CNC and metalworking machinery to meet the diverse needs of local industries

Retecon supplies a diverse range of machinery covering laser cutting, punching, bending, welding, marking, additive manufacturing, CNC machining, sawing, grinding, and measuring technologies. These systems empower South African manufacturers to achieve international standards of precision, productivity, and efficiency – driving competitiveness across industries such as automotive, aerospace, energy, mining, engineering, medical, and steel fabrication.

Puma Machine Tools (Pty) Ltd
Complementing Retecon’s European partnerships, Puma Machine Tools (Pty) Ltd brings world-class technology from leading South East Asian manufacturers, offering performance and affordability without compromise.

The Retecon Group brands that they represent include TRUMPF, Ficep, Heller, Kasto, Studer, Alpha Laser, Hexagon Metrology, DN Solutions, JFY, Cosen Saws and VisionWide

Brands such as DN Solutions, JFY, Cosen Saws, and VisionWide are among Puma’s key suppliers, ensuring that customers receive cutting-edge solutions tailored to their production and budgetary requirements. With this strategic addition, the Retecon Group provides an even broader range of CNC and metalworking machinery to meet the diverse needs of local industries.

Retecon Service (Pty) Ltd
Founded in 1978, Retecon Service (Pty) Ltd has been the backbone of the Group’s after-sales support and technical excellence. Its team of skilled and motivated technicians provides a full spectrum of machine tool services, including:

• Installations and commissioning
• Maintenance and repairs
• Supply and fitting of spare parts and consumables
• Calibration of measuring equipment
• Geometry and kinematic checks on CNC machines
• Spindle refurbishments and project implementations

Retecon Service also provides applications training, software support, and operator and programmer instruction, ensuring that customers extract maximum value from their investments. With after-hours technical assistance and customised service agreements, the company guarantees operational continuity and peace of mind.

From supplying premium machinery and tooling to installation, training, maintenance, calibration, and after-sales support the Retecon Group offers a one-stop solution for the South African metalworking manufacturing and engineering sector

A one-stop partner for industrial success
“What really sets the Retecon Group apart is its complete, end-to-end offering. From supplying premium machinery and tooling to installation, training, maintenance, calibration, and after-sales support, the Group provides customers with a seamless experience built on reliability, expertise, and trust.”

“With over five decades of service excellence, the Retecon Group remains at the forefront of innovation – continuing to power South Africa’s manufacturing future with precision, performance, and partnership,” concluded Kroeger.

For more information contact Retecon Machine Tools on TEL: 011 976 8600 or visit www.retecon.co.za