Our History

Founded by Major Robert (Bob) Southey in May 1939, Southey Holdings originally served the mining industry in the then Transvaal in terms of offering much needed protection against corrosion. Major Bob’s godfather was Dr Jamieson who was well known for his involvement in the historic Jamieson Raid. The original company was bought out in 1965 by Dave Brunt and Don Attwood who oversaw its expansion into KwaZulu-Natal and the Cape. Today Southey Holdings has a national footprint.

Whilst retaining its core contracting business, in the 1980s Southey Holdings embarked on a diversification programme, which resulted in a multi-disciplinary group with interests in insulation, scaffolding and painting services, ship repair and ship building, polystyrene manufacture, prefabricated buildings, cold room and refrigeration equipment manufacture, and heavy vessel manufacture.

Furthermore, the group has undergone a number of changes in management, large capital investments and has spread geographically across South Africa and into Africa.
These major expansions have moved Southey Holdings well beyond its family roots to become a professionally run and long-standing titan of industry.

TIMELINE

  • 2025

    Successful management buyout and corporate restructure, led by Standard Bank and Ninety One, facilitating the exit of Metier Capital Growth Fund and retiring shareholders, and positioning the business for sustained growth under existing leadership.

  • Acquisition of Dormac Dock 2 and floating crane.

    2022

  • 2019

    Successful exit of 15 year BEE Partner and creation of employee ownership structure. Sale of Okapi business.

  • Relaunch of Africa expansion into West and East Africa

    2018

  • 2017

    Acquisition of the Automated Panel Line and creation of Rudnev Insulated Panels, an extension of the Rudnev business

  • Acquisition of Dormac Dock 1

    2016

  • 2015

    Metier private equity buy in to support the acquisition of the Floating Dock

  • Management buyout of Aureos Capital

    2013

  • 2009

    Investec bought out by Aureos Capital

  • Investec acquired a 45% stake in Southey, acquisition of Concord Refrigeration, sale of Australian business

    2008

  • 2005

    Purchase of Gascon

  • Sale of Xpanda and acquisition of remaining interest in Dormac from DCD Dorbyl

    2004

  • 2001

    Acquisition of Tate & Nicholson

  • Formation of Dormac

    2000

  • 1980

    Implementation of a Diversification Strategy in a growing economy

  • Change in leadership and expansion into KZN and the Western Cape

    1965

  • 1939

    Established in 1939, initially to offer industrial painting and contracting services to mines and industrial businesses