Retecon

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.

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

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core 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

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Puma Machine Tools (Pty) LtdcoreOthers · 1 January 2001Originally 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.
• TRUMPFcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTRUMPF 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.
• FICEPcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFICEP 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.
• HELLERcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHELLER is a world-renowned manufacturer of CNC machine tools. Retecon distributes HELLER machining centers and milling machines in South Africa.
• KASTOcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKASTO is a specialist in sawing and storage technology. Retecon distributes KASTO hacksaws, bandsaws, circular saws, and storage systems in South Africa.
• HEXAGONcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHEXAGON 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 SOLUTIONScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGF 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.
• STUDERcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSTUDER is a leading manufacturer of cylindrical grinding machines. Retecon distributes STUDER grinding solutions in South Africa.
• DMG MORIcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDMG MORI is a global leader in CNC machine tools including milling, turning, and machining centers. Retecon distributes DMG MORI products in South Africa.
• KOIKEcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKOIKE manufactures portable cutting and welding machines. Retecon distributes KOIKE products including portable track guided cutting machines and welding carriages in South Africa.
• RENISHAWcoreTechnology or IntegrationRENISHAW 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.
• MAHRcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMAHR provides precision measurement equipment for industrial applications. Retecon distributes MAHR products in South Africa.
• WALTER (UNITED GRINDING)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWALTER is part of the UNITED GRINDING group and manufactures tool grinding machines. Retecon distributes WALTER products in South Africa.
• TAYLOR HOBSONcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTAYLOR HOBSON (part of AMETEK) provides roundness and form measurement equipment including the Talyrond product range. Retecon distributes TAYLOR HOBSON products in South Africa.
• SCHULERcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSCHULER 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 LASERcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorALPHA LASER manufactures mobile laser welding and hardening systems. Retecon distributes ALPHA LASER products including the ALM 300 and mobile laser welders in South Africa.
• PRECITECcoreTechnology or IntegrationPRECITEC provides laser processing heads and optical systems. Retecon distributes PRECITEC products for laser cutting applications in South Africa.
• HAIMERcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHAIMER is a specialist in tool holders, shrinking devices, and 3D measuring systems. Retecon distributes HAIMER products including shrink fit equipment in South Africa.
• VICIVISIONcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVICIVISION provides optical measuring machines for turned parts. Retecon distributes VICIVISION products including the 306 PRIMA series in South Africa.
• SPIROcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSPIRO (Tubeformers) manufactures HVAC tube forming equipment. Retecon distributes SPIRO products in South Africa.
• LMT FETTEcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLMT FETTE is a manufacturer of cutting tools and thread rolling heads. Retecon distributes LMT FETTE products in South Africa.
• MACKMAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMACKMA is an Italian manufacturer of manual tube bending machines. Retecon distributes MACKMA products including BM series rotary draw bending machines in South Africa.
• NUMALLIANCEcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNUMALLIANCE manufactures tube, wire, and flatstock bending machines. Retecon distributes NUMALLIANCE products including TE series and Numabend tube bending machines in South Africa.
• KOHLERcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKOHLER specializes in leveling technology and levelling machines for sheet metal processing. Retecon distributes KOHLER products in South Africa.
• MSScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMSS (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 MACHINEScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorN.KO MACHINES manufactures bevelling machines. Retecon distributes N.KO products including UZ-LINE, B-LINE, and PIPE-LINE bevelling machines in South Africa.
• HYPERTHERMcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHYPERTHERM manufactures plasma cutting systems and consumables. Retecon distributes HYPERTHERM products including Centricut laser consumables in South Africa.
• ENRXcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorENRX (formerly EFD Induction) manufactures induction heating and hardening equipment. Retecon distributes ENRX products including Minac mobile induction heating equipment in South Africa.
• BEDRAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBEDRA manufactures welding wire and consumables. Retecon distributes BEDRA products in South Africa.
• MARKATORcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMARKATOR manufactures marking systems including dot-peen and scribe marking equipment. Retecon distributes MARKATOR products in South Africa.
• EWAGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEWAG (part of UNITED GRINDING) manufactures tool grinding machines. Retecon distributes EWAG products in South Africa.
• LAGUNcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLAGUN manufactures milling machines and machining centers. Retecon distributes LAGUN products in South Africa.
• KAPP-NILEScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKAPP-NILES specializes in gear grinding and finishing machines. Retecon distributes KAPP-NILES products in South Africa.
• CORIMPEXminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCORIMPEX is an international machinery supplier. Retecon distributes CORIMPEX products in South Africa.
• Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAGTS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAGTS 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

Broad 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/ReteconSA

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Retecon