Welcome
About Us - The Founder
| Eric van Bosch started in the
steel game in 1981, when at the age of 19 he was employed as a sales
representative for Wolhuter Steel in Klerksdorp. It was an HL&H
company as was sold to Barlowrand and the name was changed to Wade
Steel. Six months down the line, Barlowrand closed down Wade Steel
nation-wide and Eric had to move on. Stints with Robor, NTC and Process Pipe, none lasting longer then 12 months, made Eric realize that just selling a commodity was not for him! In 1986 Eric was approached by VRN (Van Reenen & Nichols), and his career in the cut to size and specialised steels had begun. In 1993 Eric moved across to VR Steel with John van Reenen who had acquired the Swedish Steels from SSAB Oxelesund, and once again the opportunity to tackle new markets had arrived. In 1995, with the support of his family, Eric sold up everything and moved to Richards Bay, where with the partnership of a very good friend, they started the still very successful North Coast Steel company. NCS specialised in machining steels and the experience picked up in the machining alloys and non-ferrous metals was very valuable. |
 |
At the turn of the century, Eric sold
his shares to his partners and after dabbling in light engineering for 8
months, rejoined VR Steel at their new Richards Bay service center. In
2003, Eric was sent to Klerksdorp where he was to establish a market for
VR Steel and renew his relationships with his old customers.
In 2006, Eric realised his dreams ......
The Begin of Samurai Steel & Profile
Samurai Steel & Profile was started in April of 2006 in Potchefstroom. The inception of the company and its name is very interesting, as the name is unique, but as Eric believes, so is the company!
The idea behind opening the company started in October of 2005 after Eric's then boss, John van Reenen of VR Steel, decided to close all branches and focus on the Gauteng area. Initially Eric's company was going to operate on a buy and sell basis, but John decided to sell a profile machine to Eric at a fair price and the vision of the company had suddenly changed.
The choosing of the name was a contentious issue as Eric had written down 20 potential names and asked friends and family members to each choose their top 3, with the promise that he would take the name that came up the most. Samurai came up in every choice except Eric's - who loved the name Viking Steel, but a promise had been made and the company was named.
The logo was Eric's idea, the symbol used means SAMURAI in the ancient Chinese language of Chee.
Down to Business
Eight months after starting, it was discovered that one machine was not going to be enough to service their clientele and a second, new profiling machine was bought. This worked well, but the cutting of a lot of thin square plates was keeping the machines too busy, and the guillotine was brought on board at the end of 2008.
With the profiling of many flanges and disc's for certain clientele, it was decided to diversify the company and two lathes and a milling machine were bought to offer a finished machined product to those that require it.
At the start of 2009, the opportunity to acquire a plate bending machine arose and without hesitation, it was snapped up and the dream of a fully fledged Plate Service Centre was 95% complete. The rest is still part of the dream that Eric believes you always have to have!
The Samurai Steel Motto
Our motto is simple and is based on a Tri-satisfaction basis:
In 2006, Eric realised his dreams ......
The Begin of Samurai Steel & Profile
Samurai Steel & Profile was started in April of 2006 in Potchefstroom. The inception of the company and its name is very interesting, as the name is unique, but as Eric believes, so is the company!
The idea behind opening the company started in October of 2005 after Eric's then boss, John van Reenen of VR Steel, decided to close all branches and focus on the Gauteng area. Initially Eric's company was going to operate on a buy and sell basis, but John decided to sell a profile machine to Eric at a fair price and the vision of the company had suddenly changed.
The choosing of the name was a contentious issue as Eric had written down 20 potential names and asked friends and family members to each choose their top 3, with the promise that he would take the name that came up the most. Samurai came up in every choice except Eric's - who loved the name Viking Steel, but a promise had been made and the company was named.
The logo was Eric's idea, the symbol used means SAMURAI in the ancient Chinese language of Chee.
Down to Business
Eight months after starting, it was discovered that one machine was not going to be enough to service their clientele and a second, new profiling machine was bought. This worked well, but the cutting of a lot of thin square plates was keeping the machines too busy, and the guillotine was brought on board at the end of 2008.
With the profiling of many flanges and disc's for certain clientele, it was decided to diversify the company and two lathes and a milling machine were bought to offer a finished machined product to those that require it.
At the start of 2009, the opportunity to acquire a plate bending machine arose and without hesitation, it was snapped up and the dream of a fully fledged Plate Service Centre was 95% complete. The rest is still part of the dream that Eric believes you always have to have!
The Samurai Steel Motto
Our motto is simple and is based on a Tri-satisfaction basis:
"If we at Samurai Steel can satisfy our customers requirements with service, price and quality - and they in turn can
satisfy their customers, then their customers will continue dealing with them, and they with us."