About Us

Background

Catmech was formed by Sean van Heerden and Peter Hocking in February 1990. Both partners were Caterpillar trained mechanics out of the Barlow’s group. The initial business was aimed at the repair of machines on site. This gradually developed into a workshop with the capability of full rebuilds.

Main clients were JJ&T, AE&CI, ESP, Dozer, and various Mining houses. Catmech continued to grow and setup workshops in Swaziland and Zimbabwe where contract repairs were carried out for the sugar and petrochemical industry.

Catmech started to buy used machines for components and for rebuilds, some of these units were kept for own use and a plant hire business was started in 1997 called Edel Plant Hire.

As Catmech was purchasing large amounts of parts locally at high cost, Catmech started importing it’s own spares, this developed into a separate parts business in 2000.

In 2004 Catmech purchased its first new Daewoo excavator. With this Catmech Plant & Services was started. The fleet has continued to grow year on year.

All plant is self maintained in our Edenvale premises, Catmech carries a large range of service exchange parts for our equipment to minimise down time to the client.

Some of Catmech’s clients are Concor, Edwin Construction, Stefanutti Stock and JJ&T to mention a few.

Latest Developments

In 2010 Catmech designed and manufactured its own water pumps, these pumps were built specifically for the mining industry. They have a high head capability, shut off being up to 125 meters. With a volume of 500m³ per hour at maximum head Main advantage of these units is that they have a automatic priming system which allows almost instant delivery after installation.

Catmech also put together a comprehensive road patching team. This team consists of a Wacker WL25 mini loader which tows a trailer with a pedestrian roller, rammer, breaker, floor saw, angle broom, forks and a 1000lt water tank. The trailer with all the tools still has space for two drums of emulsion, cement and road signs.

August 2011 Catmech started supplying light towers to the mining industry, these units are manufactured in the USA and final assembly is done on site. These light tower are US Military spec machines and as such are simple, robust with no extra’s