Beekman, pioneer in the canopy manufacturing industry for the past 37
years, started off as a family business
based in the Western Cape. The company has
superior experience in production of fibre
glass canopies for both commercial and leisure
applications. The family business was sold 100%
to Imperial in 2008.
Kobus Stander, who has vast experience in
the motor industry, was appointed managing
director. He has held a number of positions
within the group, including financial director.
“This was a fantastic challenge, which I
accepted – and we are well on our way to
becoming a strong contender in the market.
We have employees with many years of
expertise and experience that have recently
joined our management team,” Kobus says.
The recently appointed national sales and
marketing manager,
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Vanessa N Lester, has
been in the motor industry for more than 25
years, of which 22 were spent with the No1
manufacturer in South Africa, Toyota SA.
Her expertise and knowledge brings an added dimension to a male dominated
industry. “Joining the Beekman team on the
vehicle accessory side has added another
chapter to my motor industry career, and
to my young management team, an added
spark of enthusiasm to the new way forward
management style,” she says.
Becoming part of a corporate company has
been a challenge that the over 400 employees
have welcomed. In line with Imperial’s forward
thinking credo, Beekman has changed its
corporate logo and is slowly rolling out the new identity to solely owned depots, and then
onto independent agents nationwide.
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“We are extremely excited about our new
fitment centre concept store which we have
just opened in Randburg, says manager Chris
van der Westhuizen. Chris has been part
of the Beekman management team for the
past four-and-a-half-years, bringing with him to
the company many years of experienece in
manufacturing canopies, running production
lines and maintaining quality control systems.
“Exciting times lie ahead.
We focus on delivering
exceptional
quality and service,” he says.
Chris adds that one of the main focus points
is to provide on site fitment services to dealers
and to the public within a radius of 15 to 20km around Randburg, Krugersdorp, Benoni, Bethal
and Pretoria. He is also intent on expanding
the Beekman accessory product line through
the fitment centre.
Beekman canopies in the Cape has a
research and development division, and
a styling department, which operates in
conjunction with acknowledged experts in
the field, Jurgens Caravans, which is part of
the Imperial Group.
“We are extremely proud of our
manufacturing plant in Cape Town, as we were
recently awarded ISO 9001-2008 certification.
All our manufacturing processes and quality
controls meet international standards,” says
Managing Director Kobus Stander. “Currently
we are the only canopy manufacturer in South
Africa with ISO accreditation.”
Beekman is OEM approved for leading
manufacturers and works on the DSO
system.
“We look forward to Beekman’s expansion,
and new developments in the
future,” says Vanessa. |
