‘From a secure harmonious environment, we serve mining, construction and industry with friendliness, reliability and integrity.’

HDI had its humble beginnings as Isando Hardware (pty) Ltd in a building at the corner of Industry and Foundry roads. Raymond and Karin Geldenhuys (now Ritchie) started it in 1982.

They put a manager in charge of the shop, selling mostly bolts, nuts, plumbing, tools and industrial consumables. My clear memory  is of a dark dusty little corner shop . After a year of trading, Isando Hardware was in a precarious position financially and the auditors recommended that it be shut down. Raymond asked Karin (who was working with Raymond at Electrosales, their electrical wholesale business) if she would like to give Isando Hardware a go. She took up the challenge. At that time she had a storeman and one driver with a 1400 Datsun bakkie.

Karin knew nothing about any of the items that were on offer. Her customers were loyal, trusting and patient, as she meticulously took down their enquiries. She then researched from helpful suppliers until she could offer the customer what they required at the most reasonable price plus getting the items delivered efficiently.  A wonderful time of learning and growth, which continues to this day at HDI. Every day something new is asked for, discovered, sourced and sold.

Slowly we expanded our product range, stock holding and staff compliment.

On the 10th of June 1992, Isando Hardware and Electrosales proudly moved in together into new premises that Raymond and Karin had purchased in Monteer Road in Isando.

In late 1996, Electrosales moved out of the shared premises while Karin continued with Isando Hardware. In 1998 we experienced massive internal challenges and key staff members were removed. Karin felt trapped and afraid. Isando Hardware’s bank and our two biggest creditors, granted the company permission and extended terms which enabled Karin to continue trading. HDI still maintains a good relationships with both of them to this day.

By late 1999 Isando Hardware had fully recovered and managed company record turnover months. An achievement repeated for many months to come.

In 1999 Nedbank  nominated Karin for business woman of the year. She was then nominated as the Gauteng finalist.

Isando Hardware has never looked back. The company has always been grateful to the staff, suppliers and customers that keep us growing and thriving.

Georgy Geldenhuys, Karin’s daughter, joined Isando Hardware in 1999 and quickly grew into the position of internal sales manager.

In 2000 she was appointed as a Director in the newly formed Heavy Duty Industrial(HDI). The change came about during a retreat in the Pilansberg where Karin framed the mission statement ‘From a secure harmonious environment, we serve mining, construction and industry with friendliness, reliability and integrity.’  The company had grown from a local hardware shop to an industrial supply concern.  The name Isando Hardware was no longer fitting.

At the end of 2005, Karin left HDI as Managing Director and handed over full operational control to Georgy together with a BEE partnership candidate. The partnership failed and soon Georgy was left alone holding the reins. She took the company to the next level, reaching a company record turnover in 2011.

In 2008, HDI  International was formed as the company had diversified and was starting to play a major role, expanding industrial supplies into Africa.

Georgy also engineered the finding and purchasing of a new  building at 229 Albert Amon Street, Meadowdale on September 2011

The company suffered a setback under the hands of a newly appointed managing director who was to take over the reins from Georgy as he was preparing to leave HDI  to pursue a different career and life.

In July 2014 Alwyn van Jaarsveld and Stephen Benz were appointed to the Board of HDI. Then in January 2015, after interviewing multiple candidates, Alwyn became the new MD …….. Georgy worked beside him, handing over full operational control in March 2015 when she left for her next adventure.

Karin has remained active on the board throughout this time and continues to mentor and support Alwyn as he takes our Company to the next level.

HDI  has grown from strength to strength under the leadership of Alwyn who has surrounded himself with a strong management team and a capable and happy staff complement.

We are proud that every day we try to live out our mission statement, serving customers efficiently and graciously in a spirit of good will.

‘Our touch enriches and impacts every relationship ‘