#BCT100 Engineering company celebrates 50 years in Benoni
The company was established in 1971 by brothers Fredrick and Frank Thompson.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2021/10/IMG-20210923-WA0006_14175.jpg)
Family-run business Thompson Machine Tools will be celebrating its 50th birthday on October 17.
They merit their achievement on the long-standing relationships they keep with the companies they sell to.
Director Fredrick Thompson said they have sold machines to families for generations.
The company was established in 1971 by brothers, Fredrick and Frank Thompson, who had previously worked for an engineering company and decided to start their own in Lake Avenue, where they first sold used machinery to engineering companies.
At the age of 16, their younger brother, Phillip, worked for the company, and later, John joined his brothers. A few years after the establishment of the company, co-owners Frank and Fredrick bought land and built their company on Hamburg Road in Apex.
In 1983 Frank sold his share of the company to Phillip and John. Fredrick highlighted that in the early days they bought used machines from England, refurbished them and then sold them.
The company now sells new machines, but has not stopped refurbishing and reselling used machinery.
“Determination and enthusiasm have kept the business going through all these years. Despite the economy, we pulled through.
“The company started with only two brothers and now we have employees and through the years extended family members have contributed towards the growth of the company,” said Fredrick.
He added that as times have changed they had to ensure they evolved with the advanced changes and have to constantly be updated with the latest machinery.
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