TIMELINE

1983
B.E.D. is Established
B.E.D. is Established

Bolt Engineering and Distributors (B.E.D.) is established by Mike Giltrow and Ernie Barnett. The Gauteng head office is in Wadeville.

1988
B.E.D. Acquires Bilbet Supplies
B.E.D. Acquires Bilbet Supplies
B.E.D. Acquires Bilbet Supplies

B.E.D. acquires Bilbet Supplies in Klerksdorp, which becomes B.E.D.’s first branch. Jan Viljoen, who headed up Bilbet Supplies, joins B.E.D. as (job title when JV joined?).

1993
Rustenburg Branch
Rustenburg Branch
Rustenburg Branch

Jan Viljoen establishes the Rustenburg branch.

1993
Kathu Branch
Kathu Branch
Kathu Branch

The Kathu satellite branch is established directly on-site at the Sishen iron-ore mine in the Northern Cape

1993
Executive Officer
Executive Officer

Mike Giltrow becomes B.E.D.’s Chief Executive Officer.

1993
Managing Director
Managing Director

Jan Viljoen becomes B.E.D.’s Managing Director. 

1993
Welkom Branch
Welkom Branch

The Welkom branch is established.

1993
Secunda Branch
Secunda Branch

The Secunda branch is established.

1993
Middelburg Branch
Middelburg Branch

The Middelburg branch is established.

1993
Steelpoort Branch
Steelpoort Branch

The Steelpoort branch is established.

1993
Burgersfort Branch
Burgersfort Branch

The Burgersfort branch is established.

1993
Ellisras Branch
Ellisras Branch

The Ellisras branch is established.

2010
Cape Town Branch
Cape Town Branch

The Cape Town branch is established.

2010
Co-founder Retires
Co-founder Retires

Co-founder of B.E.D. Ernie Barnett retires.

2014
Export Branch
Export Branch

The Export branch is established.

2016
B.E.D. - Authorised Distributor
B.E.D. - Authorised Distributor

SKF South Africa appoints B.E.D. as an authorised distributor.

2016
YES for Youth
YES for Youth

B.E.D. signs the ‘YES for Youth’ initiative CEO pledge and subsequently hires eight of its initial interns to become full-time B.E.D. employees throughout the Group.

2020: During the Covid-19 pandemic, staff members not only continue to work remotely with one another and with customers, continuing to talk to customers on a daily basis to ensure continued communication and service excellence irrespective of the challenging circumstances.  

2021
Messer Cutting Systems
Messer Cutting Systems

Messer appoints B.E.D. as an authorised distributor of the Messer Cutting Systems products, systems and consumables.

2021
38 Years
38 Years

The B.E.D. Group celebrates 38 years of being in operation.

2022
40th Anniversary
40th Anniversary

Onward to our 40th anniversary in 2023!

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Bolt & Engineering Distributors