Clifford Welding Systems
Clifford Welding Systems designs and manufactures custom resistance welding, grating, and wire working machinery for wire mesh, grating, and reinforcing mesh producers globally. The 56-year-old South African firm exports 95% of output, primarily to the USA, via wholly-owned sales offices and a 40+ country agent network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersPietermaritzburg, South Africa
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Clifford Welding Systems does
Clifford Welding Systems, legally Clifford Machines & Technology PTY LTD, is a South African industrial machinery manufacturer founded in 1969 in Pietermaritzburg by Clifford Sobey and currently co-owned by Iain Ambler and Graham Raynor. The company designs and builds custom resistance welding, mesh welding, grating welding, and wire working machinery — including grating welders, multipurpose and high-speed mesh welders (the FMW line achieves 220 crosswires per minute), the AI-assisted Quick Setup Mesh Welder (QSW), reinforcing and mine mesh welders, jig welders, serration lines, wire straightening/cutting/profiling machines (up to 360 m/min), nibblers, and an automated grating shear — using MFDC (Medium Frequency Direct Current) welding technology and PLC-controlled touch-screen interfaces. Clifford also developed the SAHPRA-approved OMNIVENT 2020 ICU ventilator during COVID-19, repurposing a 1990s joint venture capability.
Clifford generates revenue primarily through direct enterprise sales of capital equipment, complemented by spare-parts distribution and a refurbishment service line that restores older Clifford machines to like-new performance. All machines carry a 1-year guarantee and are supported globally. The company employs approximately 50–65 people, including around 25 engineers, and reports annual turnover of approximately R100 million (South African Rand). It exports 95% of production with 65% of turnover going to the USA, reaching customers in 40+ countries through wholly-owned sales offices in Loves Park, Illinois (via AWT Machinery Inc.) and Dubai, plus a global agent network.
The customer base consists of wire mesh manufacturers, grating producers, reinforcing and mine mesh producers, white goods manufacturers, and offshore/marine construction suppliers — predominantly enterprise buyers with multi-decade relationships (one named US customer has purchased 30+ machines over 22+ years). Go-to-market blends enterprise field sales with trade show presence (e.g., Interwire 2019) and targeted digital/brand marketing. Growth drivers include new product introductions in 2019–2021 (FMW, High-Speed Grating Welder, OMNIVENT, QSW, Grating Shear), the announced plan to open a USA manufacturing plant, and active university partnerships (Stellenbosch, University of KwaZulu-Natal) for engineering talent pipelines.
Clifford Welding Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Clifford Welding Systems
- Legal name
- Clifford Machines & Technology PTY LTD
- Website
- https://cliffeng.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Clifford Welding Systems designs and manufactures custom resistance welding, grating, and wire working machinery for wire mesh, grating, and reinforcing mesh producers globally. The 56-year-old South African firm exports 95% of output, primarily to the USA, via wholly-owned sales offices and a 40+ country agent network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Clifford Welding Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Resistance Welding Machinery
- NAICS
- Welding and Soldering Equipment Manufacturing (333992), Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (33351)
- SIC
- Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Welding, Joining & Soldering Equipment (Arc, Resistance, Friction, Brazing) (IMAHADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC)
Keywords
Where Clifford Welding Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pietermaritzburg
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices3 records
Markets served
Clifford Welding Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Industrial Machinery Sales: Custom-designed resistance welding, grating, and wire working machinery sold globally to wire mesh manufacturers, grating producers, and industrial wire product companies
- Spare Parts and Support: Global spares and support distribution network with specialist technicians available via telephone and internet remote support
- Machine Refurbishment: Refurbishment services to restore old Clifford equipment to like-new performance
- Medical Device Sales (OMNIVENT): SAHPRA-approved ICU ventilators under Section 21 Authorisation for emergency use during COVID-19 pandemic
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Clifford Welding Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Clifford Welding Systems (Clifford Machines & Technology) designs, manufactures, and sells custom resistance welding, grating, and wire working industrial machinery for wire mesh manufacturers, grating producers, and reinforcing/mine mesh producers worldwide. Core machine families include Grating Welders, Mesh Welders (Multipurpose, High-Speed FMW, AI-powered Quick Setup QSW), Jig Welders, Reinforcing Mesh & Mine Mesh Welders, Serrating Machines, Wire Straightening/Cutting/Profiling systems, Nibblers, and an automated Grating Shear, complemented by machine refurbishment services and the SAHPRA-approved OMNIVENT 2020 ICU ventilator.
Product overview
Clifford Machines & Technology is an industrial machinery manufacturer specializing in resistance welding, grating, and wire working equipment. The product portfolio centers on multiple specialized welding machine lines including Grating Welders, Mesh Welders (Multipurpose, High Speed FMW, and AI-powered Quick Setup QSW), Jig Welders, and Reinforcing Mesh Welders, complemented by serrating machines, wire straightening/cutting/profiling systems, nibblers, and the newly developed Grating Shear. The company also offers machine refurbishment services and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, developed the SAHPRA-approved OMNIVENT medical ventilator. All machines feature modular design, central PLC controls with touch screen interfaces, and are backed by a 1-year guarantee with global spares and support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Grating Welders Industrial welding machines that produce metal gratings from crosswire and line bar, welding light through heavy serrated bridge grating at speeds of 60 crosswires per minute while meeting BSI and NAAMM international standards; designed for grating manufacturers in construction, offshore, and marine applications.
- Mesh Welders Complete range of mesh welding machines including Multipurpose Mesh Welders, High Speed Mesh Welders (FMW at 220 crosswires/min), and AI-powered Quick Change-Over Mesh Welders (QSW) for fencing mesh, security mesh, and industrial wire products.
- Jig Welders Versatile jig welding machines for specialized welding applications including fan guards and custom wire products such as those used by white-goods manufacturers.
- Reinforcing Mesh & Mine Mesh Welders Specialized welding machines for producing reinforcing mesh for construction and mine mesh products for mining applications, built for durability, production speed, and cost efficiency.
- Serrating Machines for Grating Machines that serrate grating edges at speeds up to 75 strokes per minute with 12 inch/30.5 cm die length, offering custom-designed serration profiles for various bar depths and thicknesses.
- Wire Straightening, Cutting & Profiling Machines High-speed machines that straighten, cut, and profile off-coil wire up to 360 m/min (IPC) or 300 m/min (OPTICUT), including descaling, lubrication, profiling, and cutting capabilities for SAE 1006-1015 wire types.
- Nibbler (Edge Trimming and Slitting Machine) Edge trimming and slitting machine that cleans and trims welded wire products including freezer baskets, fridge shelves, wire bird cages, and mesh panels, featuring dual reciprocating blades with adjustable heights for different wire diameters.
- Grating Shear Automated grating shear for fast cutting of programmable cut lengths, with servo-controlled grippers, automatic height adjustment, axis rotation for angled cuts, and long-life symmetrical reversible blades; integrates with standard grating welders or operates standalone.
- Machine Refurbishment Refurbishment service that restores old Clifford equipment to like-new performance, providing cost savings versus purchasing new machinery.
- FMW Fine Mesh Welder High-speed fine mesh/fencing mesh welding range for 24/7 fully automated mesh production, featuring dual crosswire inserters, dual linear pullout, and a fully automatic coiler, achieving weld speeds of 220 crosswires per minute with a single operator.
- QSW Quick Setup Mesh Welder Mesh welder with AI-powered frontend that auto-calculates optimal welding current, pressure, time, and squeeze per recipe, featuring laser-guided tooling setup, MFDC welding, and speeds up to 150 crosswires per minute with no tools required for changeovers.
- OMNIVENT 2020 Ventilator ICU ventilator designed for African conditions and COVID-19 emergency use, providing universal anesthesia ventilation suitable for neonates to adults with comprehensive airway pressure and volume monitoring, multiple ventilation modes (IPPV, SIMV, CPAP, PEEP), and SAHPRA Section 21 Authorisation.
Quantifiable outcome
- Weld speeds up to 220 crosswires per minute on fine mesh welding
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Clifford Welding Systems
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Clifford Welding Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature6 records
Clifford Welding Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Life Air (Pty) LtdcoreJoint venture between Dr. Don Miller and Clifford Machines & Technology originating in the early 1990s. Dr. Miller was a highly recognized anesthetist at Tygerberg Hospital. Together they developed a sophisticated product line of respiratory care products including ventilators.
- University of KwaZulu-NatalminorPartnership with final year engineering students for research projects. Students redesigned a Weld Press and Electrodes as their final year project and won award for 'Best Industrial and Commercial Potential'. Project highlighted potential for additive manufacturing.
- Stellenbosch UniversityminorAnnual sponsorship of prizes for Best 2nd and 3rd Year Mechatronic students. Clifford recognizes importance of encouraging academic excellence in Mechatronics field. Winners include Christian Kotze, Nicholas Ammann, Christo Boshoff, Bradley Buchanan, and Devin Jefferies across multiple years.
- Toyota South AfricaminorExecutive Vice President Nigel Ward assisted Clifford with customs delays, transport issues, and offered expertise in process design and optimization during ventilator development.
- Mediclinic PietermaritzburgminorCraig Hampson and colleagues offered technical assistance and components for ventilator testing. Provided facility for prototype testing under supervision of qualified clinicians and specialist anaesthetist.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Clifford Welding Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- T.J. Snow Company: US-based resistance welding equipment distributor and manufacturer serving primarily North American industrial customers. Regional overlap in resistance welding technology with Clifford's US-dominant customer base.
Direct peers
- BIKO Strojní Části: Czech manufacturer of resistance welding machines for wire mesh and reinforcement production. Directly comparable in mesh welding technology and customer segments to Clifford.
- EVG (Engl Maschinenbau): Austrian producer of welded mesh and reinforcement welding equipment. Direct competitor in mesh welding machinery with comparable serving of construction and industrial mesh customers globally.
- Progress Maschinen & Automation: Italian manufacturer of automated wire mesh, rebar, and grating welding lines. Directly comparable product portfolio (mesh and grating welders, straightening/cutting) and similar global customer base in wire mesh and construction reinforcement.
- Schlatter Group: Swiss specialist in resistance welding systems for wire mesh and reinforcing mats. Closest direct competitor in Clifford's niche, serving fencing, construction, and industrial mesh producers worldwide.
- IDEAL-Werk: German manufacturer of wire mesh welding machines and reinforcement mesh production lines. Competes head-to-head with Clifford in mesh and reinforcing mesh welders for industrial and construction applications.
Broad incumbents
- CenterLine (Windsor): Canadian manufacturer of resistance and projection welding equipment serving automotive, aerospace, and industrial markets. Comparable welding technology stack but broader application portfolio than Clifford's mesh specialization.
- Lors Machinery Group: European manufacturer of resistance welding machinery for automotive, white goods, and industrial applications. Larger incumbent with overlapping welding technology but a much broader end-market focus than Clifford.
- Taylor-Winfield: US-based manufacturer of resistance welding equipment across a wider industrial base including automotive, appliance, and tube/pipe welding. Broader incumbent offering overlapping resistance-welding capability but not specializing in mesh/grating.
Emerging players
- Anping Wanji / Hebei mesh equipment manufacturers: Cluster of Chinese low-cost manufacturers of wire mesh welding equipment focused on fencing and construction mesh. Compete primarily on price in cost-sensitive emerging markets, indirectly pressuring Clifford's pricing in those segments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Clifford Welding Systems social profiles
Digital presenceClifford Welding Systems compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Clifford Welding Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Clifford Welding Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Clifford Welding Systems subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Clifford Welding Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Clifford Welding Systems M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Clifford Welding Systems
What does Clifford Welding Systems do?
Clifford Welding Systems (Clifford Machines & Technology) designs, manufactures, and sells custom resistance welding, grating, and wire working industrial machinery for wire mesh manufacturers, grating producers, and reinforcing/mine mesh producers worldwide. Core machine families include Grating Welders, Mesh Welders (Multipurpose, High-Speed FMW, AI-powered Quick Setup QSW), Jig Welders, Reinforcing Mesh & Mine Mesh Welders, Serrating Machines, Wire Straightening/Cutting/Profiling systems, Nibblers, and an automated Grating Shear, complemented by machine refurbishment services and the SAHPRA-approved OMNIVENT 2020 ICU ventilator.
Is Clifford Welding Systems a public or private company?
Clifford Welding Systems is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Clifford Welding Systems founded?
Clifford Welding Systems was founded in 1969. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Clifford Welding Systems based?
Clifford Welding Systems is headquartered in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Clifford Welding Systems make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Industrial Machinery Sales are the primary driver. The others are spare Parts and Support, machine Refurbishment and medical Device Sales (OMNIVENT).
Who are Clifford Welding Systems's main competitors?
T.J. Snow Company is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are BIKO Strojní Části, EVG (Engl Maschinenbau), Progress Maschinen & Automation, Schlatter Group and IDEAL-Werk. Broad incumbents are CenterLine (Windsor), Lors Machinery Group and Taylor-Winfield. Anping Wanji / Hebei mesh equipment manufacturers is listed as an emerging player.
Does Clifford Welding Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Clifford Welding Systems.
What industry is Clifford Welding Systems in?
Clifford Welding Systems's product category is Industrial Resistance Welding Machinery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAH, Welding, Joining & Soldering Equipment (Arc, Resistance, Friction, Brazing), with a secondary code of IMAHADAC, Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping). Its NAICS code is 333992 and its SIC code is 3540.