pb-company-oct2023 Company | BPW - we think transport
Our Company
key-personnel Company | BPW - we think transport
ABOUT US

Always On the Move

Right From the start BPW have been a major driving force in the world of heavy commercial vehicles, with creative, innovative concepts and solutions which we implement with expertise and an outstanding price/performance ratio. Our customer-orientated approach is evident from the success of our products and services and also from the long term success of our Group, our customers and partners.

Today the company, still in the hands of the original Kotz family, is called "BPW Bergische Achsen KG". BPW has embodied progress and change in the transport industry: with pioneering new technical developments, system solutions, production methods, quality standards and services. Our motto: "we think transport"

Innovation and development for more than 120 years, BPW is one of the leading innovation drivers in goods transport and logistics. BPW is successful around the world and has been a reliable partner for its customers for generations. The company is constantly changing and developing - a dynamic company in an industry that is always on the move.

BPW Axles (Pty) Ltd, has been operating in South Africa for 78 years, initially known as ERN Quality Products (Pty) Ltd, and since 1962 in BPW hands making it the oldest daughter in the group. The company proudly assembles the latest BPW running gear range and components, selected to suit all light/heavy duty applications for Southern Africa.

Our History

BPW in South Africa originates from a company called Automobile Brake Services (Pty) Ltd which was established on 7 September 1945.

bpw-ERN-building Company | BPW - we think transportThe name was changed in September 1949, to ERN Quality Products (Pty) Ltd, named after the owner, Mr. E. R. Nesbitt. Mr. Nesbitt, being of German descent, was also a member of the German Chamber of commerce in Johannesburg, where he met Dr. Haase (the President in 1955/57 and again in 1959/60. Dr Haase was also the local agent for BPW products. The friendship of Dr Haase and Mr Nesbit strengthened and prompted them to an approach BPW Bergische Achsen KG in 1962 to investigate possible technical cooperation. A delegation, led by Mr. C. P. Kotz (the son of the owner who was at the time in his twenties and is now retired after a career of 50 years at BPW) visited South Africa to investigate the proposal.

bpw-old-rim Company | BPW - we think transportThe successful acquisition of 100% of ERN Quality Products in September of 1962 by BPW, made it the first daughter company of BPW outside Germany!! Today there are more than 50 “daughters and granddaughters” in over 25 countries! The name ERN Quality Products however, remained unchanged, as did the product range (mostly locally designed and manufactured solid axles and leaf spring suspension). The necessity to change the name in 1990 to BPW Axles (Pty) Ltd saw the introduction of the German designed hollow axle beams and Air suspension range. Product innovation followed at regular intervals going forward, yielding the ECO hub and Brake 95, ECO Plus axle range, Disc braked axles, and Airlight II Air suspension range.

Our Local History

Timeline

history-local-2023 Company | BPW - we think transport

BPW has been setting inventions in motion for 125 years. 15 July 1898, Bergische Patentachsenfabrik GmbH was founded in Wiehl (BPW).

history-local-2021 Company | BPW - we think transport

Introduce the new BPW ECO Disc TS2 – “The hard braker”.

ht-2016 Company | BPW - we think transport

Local Disc Brake Assembly. Launch of ECO Plus 3 & BPW Landing Legs. Purchased JMR. BPW goes solar.

ht-2009 Company | BPW - we think transport

Introduce 9 ton ECO Plus 2 Axle range.

ht-1994 Company | BPW - we think transport

Discontinue in-house manufacture of solid axles, and start assembly of hollow beam axles.

ht-1962 Company | BPW - we think transport

BPW Bergische Achsen KG, from Germany acquires 100% of ERN Quality Products (Pty) Ltd.

ht-1949 Company | BPW - we think transport

The company’s name changed to ERN Quality Products (Pty) Ltd.

history-local-2022 Company | BPW - we think transport

60 Years as BPW (Pty) Ltd. Since 1962 in BPW hands making us the oldest daughter in the group.

history-local-2020 Company | BPW - we think transport

BPW’s AirSave arrives in South Africa to join our product range.

ht-2011 Company | BPW - we think transport

Introduce 10 ton ECO Plus 1 Axles for all dual wheel applications.

ht-2003 Company | BPW - we think transport

Introduce 9 ton ECO Plus 1 Axle range and Airlight II Air Suspension.

ht-1989 Company | BPW - we think transport

Introduce BPW Air Suspension to the local market.

ht-1956 Company | BPW - we think transport

The BPW Logo registered as Trade mark in South Africa.

ht-1945 Company | BPW - we think transport

The company Automotive Brake Services (Pty) Ltd was founded.

co-focus Company | BPW - we think transport

When you look at BPW, you will think everything is about axles, where in fact it is about customers! Our customers are in many instances our source of innovation! BPW focuses strongly on the transporter/fleet owner, as they buy their vehicles from the trailer builders (to which we sell the running gear) and then experience the low cost of ownership that the BPW product range offers.

Our Key Personnel

Business Development

Diederik Kruger
oe-sales-manager-diederik-k Company | BPW - we think transport
Gerard van Heerden
oe-sales-agriculture-program Company | BPW - we think transport
Christoff de Clerk
western-cape-christoff Company | BPW - we think transport
Jacques Coetzer
limpopo-mpumalanga Company | BPW - we think transport
Reece Drewett
kwa-zulu-reece Company | BPW - we think transport
Jaison Huntly
pe-automotive-jaison Company | BPW - we think transport
Maryke Le Roux
gauteng-north-west Company | BPW - we think transport
Johan van Rooyen
aftermarket Company | BPW - we think transport

Sales & Internal Sales

Leeanne Greeff
sales-marketing-lee Company | BPW - we think transport
Masimbonge Magida
spare-parts-sales Company | BPW - we think transport
Belinda Britz
internal-sales-manager-belinda Company | BPW - we think transport
Morne du Preez
spare-parts-sales Company | BPW - we think transport
Marietta Cohen
oe-internal-sales-marietta Company | BPW - we think transport
Ruan Renkin
spare-parts-sales Company | BPW - we think transport

Customer Support & Logistics

Zehraan Rassool
customer-support-manager-zehraan Company | BPW - we think transport
Marius de Jager
logistics-manager-marius Company | BPW - we think transport
Edward Isaacs
customer-support-edward Company | BPW - we think transport
Barbara Wallace
warehouse-manager-barbara Company | BPW - we think transport
Sean Annandale
fleet-support-sean Company | BPW - we think transport
Anton Steenkamp
engineering-manager-anton Company | BPW - we think transport