Retecon
Retecon is a South African machine tool distributor, supplying CNC machinery, laser cutting systems, and precision measuring equipment from 50+ international principals across four regional offices to manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and engineering customers in Southern Africa.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersJohannesburg, South Africa
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Retecon does
Retecon is a South African machine tool distributor founded in 1970, headquartered in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, and operating through four regional offices (Johannesburg HQ, Durban, Gqeberha, and Cape Town). The company supplies CNC machinery, sheet metal fabrication equipment, laser cutting systems, EDM, grinding machines, and precision measuring solutions on behalf of more than 50 international principals, including TRUMPF, FICEP, HELLER, KASTO, DMG MORI, STUDER, GF Machining Solutions, and HEXAGON. Retecon positions itself as the leading supplier of machine tools to the Southern African metalworking industry, serving customers across manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, construction, and engineering sectors.
The business model is distribution-led rather than manufacturing-led: revenue is generated through four primary streams — new machine sales, spare parts/tooling/consumables (STC), service/maintenance/calibration contracts, and operator training. Pricing is quote-based per machine specification, brand, and configuration. The group operates a layered ecosystem through wholly-owned subsidiaries: Retecon Service (installation, maintenance, and calibration since 1978), Fumanang Entrepreneurial Promotions (B-BBEE subsidiary, 2005, for SOE procurement access), and Puma Machine Tools (Asian-sourced machinery channel from 2001). The go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales with a multi-branch regional presence.
The company maintains ISO 9001:2015 certification, B-BBEE compliance, and operates the only certified laboratory in Southern Africa for calibration and verification of portable arms. Retecon also participates in the C.A.T.S. (Commercial and Advancement Training Scheme) dual vocational programme with the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The firm is privately held (Pty Ltd) with no disclosed revenue, headcount, or financial KPIs.
Retecon firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Retecon
- Legal name
- Retecon (Pty) Ltd
- Website
- https://retecon.co.za
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Retecon is a South African machine tool distributor, supplying CNC machinery, laser cutting systems, and precision measuring equipment from 50+ international principals across four regional offices to manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and engineering customers in Southern Africa.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Retecon is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Johannesburg
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices4 records
Markets served
Retecon business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Machine Tool Sales: Sale of new CNC machines, laser cutting systems, machining centers, grinding machines, EDM machinery, and industrial equipment from international brands including TRUMPF, FICEP, HELLER, KASTO, DMG MORI, and others. Revenue generated from direct sales to manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and engineering industries.
- Spare Parts, Tooling and Consumables: STC department stocks and supplies original spare parts, tooling, and consumables for all supplied machines. Offers overnight express delivery from Europe on certain products. Provides parts for both current and older machine models.
- Service, Maintenance and Calibration: Retecon Service provides skilled machine tool technicians for installations, commissioning, maintenance, repairs, calibration of measuring equipment, geometry checks, CNC machine kinematic checks, and spindle refurbishments. Service agreements with planned regular maintenance and discounted labour rates.
- Training and Operator Education: Operator and programme training services provided as part of installation and ongoing customer support. Applications technicians offer applications services and software support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | No public pricing available |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Retecon product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Retecon is an authorized distributor and service provider of industrial machine tools in Southern Africa, supplying CNC machinery, laser cutting systems, machining centers, grinding machines, EDM machinery, sheet metal fabrication equipment, structural steel processing systems, precision measuring equipment, and tube/wire bending machines from over 50 leading international manufacturers. The company provides comprehensive after-sales support including installation, commissioning, maintenance, repairs, spare parts supply, calibration of measuring equipment, and operator training.
Product overview
Retecon (Pty) Ltd is a South African machine tool distributor established in 1970, supplying CNC machinery, sheet metal fabrication equipment, laser cutting systems, and precision measuring solutions from leading international brands including TRUMPF, FICEP, HELLER, KASTO, STUDER, GF MACHINING SOLUTIONS, and HEXAGON. The company operates as a multi-product portfolio distributor organized into distinct product categories: Sheet Metal Machinery (laser cutting, punching, bending systems), CNC Milling Machines, Structural Steel Machinery, Measuring Equipment (CMMs, arms, trackers), EDM Machinery, Automotive Machinery, Sawing Machines, Grinding Machines, Tube and Wire Bending/Cutting Machines, Small Machines, Reinforcing Steel Machinery, and Other Products (induction heating, presses, mobile laser). The product portfolio spans the complete metalworking process from cutting and bending to grinding, measuring, and additive manufacturing. Retecon provides complementary services through subsidiaries including Retecon Service (installation, maintenance, calibration), Spares/Tooling/Consumables (STC), Fumanang (BEE-focused sales), and Puma Machine Tools (Asian-sourced machinery).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Retecon Service: Provides skilled machine tool technicians for the South African manufacturing and engineering industries since 1978
- Fumanang Entrepreneurial Promotions
- Puma Machine Tools
- Retecon Group
Products and services
- Sheet Metal Machinery
Companies that use Retecon
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Retecon technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Retecon partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
35 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Puma Machine Tools (Pty) LtdcoreOriginally Jamato (Pty) Ltd established in 1995, renamed Puma Machine Tools in 2001 after securing sole agency for DAEWOO HEAVY INDUSTRIES machine tool division. Now specializes in machines from South East Asia including Chevalier, Chin Fong, Citizen, DN Solutions, Iemca, JFY, Parkson, and Visionwide Tech. Sister company within the Retecon Group.
- TRUMPFcoreTRUMPF is a leading international manufacturer of machine tools and laser technology. Retecon is an authorized distributor of TRUMPF products in South Africa including TruLaser cutting machines, TruPunch punching machines, TruBend bending machines, TruMatic punch laser machines, and TRUMPF power tools.
- FICEPcoreFICEP is a global leader in structural steel machinery. Retecon distributes FICEP products including CNC angle and flat processing lines, beam and pipe drilling lines, plate profiling systems, and sawing machines in South Africa.
- HELLERcoreHELLER is a world-renowned manufacturer of CNC machine tools. Retecon distributes HELLER machining centers and milling machines in South Africa.
- KASTOcoreKASTO is a specialist in sawing and storage technology. Retecon distributes KASTO hacksaws, bandsaws, circular saws, and storage systems in South Africa.
- HEXAGONcoreHEXAGON Manufacturing Intelligence provides precision measurement solutions. Retecon distributes HEXAGON products including portable measuring arms, laser tracker systems, CMMs, machine tool probes, structured light scanners, and photogrammetry equipment in South Africa.
- GF MACHINING SOLUTIONScoreGF MACHINING SOLUTIONS (formerly AgieCharmilles) provides EDM machinery and machining solutions. Retecon distributes GF products including wire cutting, die-sinking, and hole drilling EDM machines in South Africa.
- STUDERcoreSTUDER is a leading manufacturer of cylindrical grinding machines. Retecon distributes STUDER grinding solutions in South Africa.
- DMG MORIcoreDMG MORI is a global leader in CNC machine tools including milling, turning, and machining centers. Retecon distributes DMG MORI products in South Africa.
- KOIKEcoreKOIKE manufactures portable cutting and welding machines. Retecon distributes KOIKE products including portable track guided cutting machines and welding carriages in South Africa.
- RENISHAWcoreRENISHAW is a global leader in precision engineering and manufacturing technologies. Retecon distributes RENISHAW products including machine tool probes and precision measurement solutions in South Africa.
- MAHRcoreMAHR provides precision measurement equipment for industrial applications. Retecon distributes MAHR products in South Africa.
- WALTER (UNITED GRINDING)coreWALTER is part of the UNITED GRINDING group and manufactures tool grinding machines. Retecon distributes WALTER products in South Africa.
- TAYLOR HOBSONcoreTAYLOR HOBSON (part of AMETEK) provides roundness and form measurement equipment including the Talyrond product range. Retecon distributes TAYLOR HOBSON products in South Africa.
- SCHULERcoreSCHULER is a leading manufacturer of press and stamping technology. Retecon distributes SCHULER products including stamping/forming systems and hydraulic press technology in South Africa.
- ALPHA LASERcoreALPHA LASER manufactures mobile laser welding and hardening systems. Retecon distributes ALPHA LASER products including the ALM 300 and mobile laser welders in South Africa.
- PRECITECcorePRECITEC provides laser processing heads and optical systems. Retecon distributes PRECITEC products for laser cutting applications in South Africa.
- HAIMERcoreHAIMER is a specialist in tool holders, shrinking devices, and 3D measuring systems. Retecon distributes HAIMER products including shrink fit equipment in South Africa.
- VICIVISIONcoreVICIVISION provides optical measuring machines for turned parts. Retecon distributes VICIVISION products including the 306 PRIMA series in South Africa.
- SPIROcoreSPIRO (Tubeformers) manufactures HVAC tube forming equipment. Retecon distributes SPIRO products in South Africa.
- LMT FETTEcoreLMT FETTE is a manufacturer of cutting tools and thread rolling heads. Retecon distributes LMT FETTE products in South Africa.
- MACKMAcoreMACKMA is an Italian manufacturer of manual tube bending machines. Retecon distributes MACKMA products including BM series rotary draw bending machines in South Africa.
- NUMALLIANCEcoreNUMALLIANCE manufactures tube, wire, and flatstock bending machines. Retecon distributes NUMALLIANCE products including TE series and Numabend tube bending machines in South Africa.
- KOHLERcoreKOHLER specializes in leveling technology and levelling machines for sheet metal processing. Retecon distributes KOHLER products in South Africa.
- MSScoreMSS (Laser Star South Africa) manufactures nitrogen generation systems. Retecon distributes MSS products including NitroCube nitrogen generators for laser cutting applications in South Africa.
- N.KO MACHINEScoreN.KO MACHINES manufactures bevelling machines. Retecon distributes N.KO products including UZ-LINE, B-LINE, and PIPE-LINE bevelling machines in South Africa.
- HYPERTHERMcoreHYPERTHERM manufactures plasma cutting systems and consumables. Retecon distributes HYPERTHERM products including Centricut laser consumables in South Africa.
- ENRXcoreENRX (formerly EFD Induction) manufactures induction heating and hardening equipment. Retecon distributes ENRX products including Minac mobile induction heating equipment in South Africa.
- BEDRAcoreBEDRA manufactures welding wire and consumables. Retecon distributes BEDRA products in South Africa.
- MARKATORcoreMARKATOR manufactures marking systems including dot-peen and scribe marking equipment. Retecon distributes MARKATOR products in South Africa.
- EWAGcoreEWAG (part of UNITED GRINDING) manufactures tool grinding machines. Retecon distributes EWAG products in South Africa.
- LAGUNcoreLAGUN manufactures milling machines and machining centers. Retecon distributes LAGUN products in South Africa.
- KAPP-NILEScoreKAPP-NILES specializes in gear grinding and finishing machines. Retecon distributes KAPP-NILES products in South Africa.
- CORIMPEXminorCORIMPEX is an international machinery supplier. Retecon distributes CORIMPEX products in South Africa.
- Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAGTS)coreSAGTS founded the C.A.T.S. (Commercial and Advancement Training Scheme) programme in 1985, providing dual vocational training. Retecon participates in this programme and has trained 32 C.A.T.S students since 2001.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Retecon competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Yamazaki Mazak: Japanese global manufacturer of CNC machine tools including multi-tasking machining centers, turning centers and laser systems. Operates its own worldwide sales/service network that competes head-to-head with Retecon's principal-driven model in markets like South Africa.
- Makino Milling Machine: Japanese specialist in horizontal machining centers, EDM and aerospace machining systems. Comparable to Retecon's EDM and precision machining portfolio, particularly for aerospace customers.
- TRUMPF: German global leader in machine tools, laser technology and electronics. Comparable to Retecon's business in sheet metal machinery and laser cutting - and a current Retecon principal - making it both a supplier and a benchmark competitor.
- Okuma Corporation: Japanese CNC machine tool manufacturer with worldwide distribution and service subsidiaries. Comparable product overlap with Retecon's milling/turning portfolio and similar distributor-driven go-to-market in international markets.
- DMG MORI: Global CNC machine tool manufacturer combining the German DMG and Japanese Mori Seiki platforms. Overlaps with Retecon's portfolio as both a principal supplier and a competing OEM brand across milling, turning and additive manufacturing.
- Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence: Global precision measurement and manufacturing intelligence division of Hexagon AB. Directly comparable to Retecon's measurement equipment line - and a current Retecon principal - competing in portable arms, CMMs and laser tracker markets.
Direct peers
- Hudaco Industries: JSE-listed South African industrial group distributing branded industrial components and equipment across multiple verticals. Directly comparable to Retecon as a multi-brand industrial distributor serving the same South African customer base, with similar B-BBEE-driven market dynamics and a service-led model.
- Actom (formerly Alstom South Africa): Major South African electrical and industrial equipment manufacturer/distributor serving utilities, mining and industry. Comparable to Retecon as a long-established South African industrial group with distribution, service and local-assembly capabilities for international principals.
- Invicta Holdings: JSE-listed South African group operating branded industrial equipment distribution businesses, including engineering components and capital equipment. Highly comparable business model to Retecon - multi-brand industrial distribution with technical service and aftermarket support across Southern Africa.
- Haas Automation: Largest American CNC machine tool builder, selling vertical machining centers, lathes and rotary products through a global direct/distributor model. Comparable to Retecon as a focused machine tool vendor with strong distributor relationships and after-sales service network.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Retecon social profiles
Digital presenceRetecon financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Retecon leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Retecon subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Retecon funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Retecon 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 Retecon
What does Retecon do?
Retecon is an authorized distributor and service provider of industrial machine tools in Southern Africa, supplying CNC machinery, laser cutting systems, machining centers, grinding machines, EDM machinery, sheet metal fabrication equipment, structural steel processing systems, precision measuring equipment, and tube/wire bending machines from over 50 leading international manufacturers. The company provides comprehensive after-sales support including installation, commissioning, maintenance, repairs, spare parts supply, calibration of measuring equipment, and operator training.
Is Retecon a public or private company?
Retecon is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Retecon founded?
Retecon was founded in 1970. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Retecon based?
Retecon is headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Retecon make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Machine Tool Sales are the primary driver. The others are spare Parts, Tooling and Consumables, service, Maintenance and Calibration and training and Operator Education.
Who are Retecon's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Yamazaki Mazak, Makino Milling Machine, TRUMPF, Okuma Corporation, DMG MORI and Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence. Direct peers are Hudaco Industries, Actom (formerly Alstom South Africa), Invicta Holdings and Haas Automation.
Does Retecon have an API?
No public API is recorded for Retecon.