John Thompson celebrates 90 years of engineering excellence
FOR nine decades, John Thompson has been a cornerstone of South Africa’s industrial and energy sectors. In 2025, the company celebrates its 90th anniversary, a testament to its enduring role in powering the nation’s economy, from sugar mills to power plants.
The company’s story began in 1935, importing boilers from the UK to meet the country’s growing industrial needs. But a pivotal shift occurred in 1954 when John Thompson’s Bellville factory in Cape Town became fully operational, marking the birth of a proudly South African manufacturing legacy. Since then, the company has produced over 5 000 boilers, becoming the only Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of its kind in Africa. Its craftsmanship is legendary; in fact, one of the first boilers built at its Bellville factory was recently decommissioned after 70 years of continuous operation.
“Our journey of starting out as a boiler-building pioneer to becoming a comprehensive energy solution provider reflects a proud South African legacy that combines local expertise with global reach,” says Jaco Grobbelaar, CEO of John Thompson’s Industrial Division.
Keeping the lights on
Beyond its industrial applications, John Thompson’s commitment to the nation is most visible in its partnership with Eskom. Since 2002, the company has provided maintenance support across six of South Africa’s power stations, with teams of up to 800 local workers during planned outages. This deep involvement underscores the company’s critical role in energy security.
Gladstone Mbili, CEO of the Utilities Division, emphasises this commitment. “We have built and maintained a significant portion of the country’s power infrastructure. Our in-depth involvement with Eskom and regional power stations illustrates our commitment to ‘keeping the lights on’. We actively seek ways to improve energy availability and reliability to avoid load shedding.”
As the world shifts toward greener energy, John Thompson is leading the charge in South Africa. The company’s R&D programme focuses on helping customers optimise existing plants for lower emissions and converting them to cleaner fuels like wood chips. This includes developing a new range of package boilers designed to efficiently burn low-quality or green fuels.
“We are more than just manufacturers; we are committed to building a sustainable energy future,” Grobbelaar says. “Our expertise extends globally as we export our technologies and services around the world.”
Building South Africa’s engineering talent
John Thompson’s legacy is not just about equipment; it’s also about people. The company invests in the next generation of engineers through an annual intake of apprentices and trainees. It currently has 83 trainees in welding, fitting, and boilermaking, all supported by an in-house apprentice school.
“Skills development is a key part of our broader commitment to sustainability and innovation,” Mbili notes. “By growing our own talent, we help strengthen South Africa’s industrial capacity and resilience.”
As John Thompson looks to the future, it remains dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that create lasting value for its customers, communities, and the environment.
