The Vermont Sales Timeline: 1985 to present
Our Timeline: 1985 - present
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1985The people who grew Vermont Sales
VERMONT SALES was started, as a side-line, to fill a gap in the market. Roland Hunt, through his small indent business, was offering the Vermont American range of products to the South African wholesale hardware market, but no one was taking on the whole range. Roland had a good relationship with Dave Goodman and his retail business in Pretoria, who also saw that there was a gap, and the two of them decided to set up a small company to import and distribute the complete Vermont American range. The company needed a name and Vermont Sales seemed a good idea.
The new company needed someone to make sales - Mindi Hunt was not working at the time, but fairly reluctantly, with no real sales skill and not much product knowledge, she agreed to give it a go.
So, with a small initial range, & went Mindi into a new trade. Piet Mashaba manned the storage and Sam Sekotla handled the deliveries. Both stayed on till their retirement. Interest in the range grew remarkably quickly and the territory grew. Theo Willems joined to grow the Pretoria market. He soon started travelling as far away as Bloemfontein. KZN looked a likely prospect and Robbie Smith, and his small business, S.H. Francis, took on the brand with Dave Ruthenberg soon joining the team.
Robbie Smith's mother, Kay Mathews, lived in Cape Town and thought there should be a market there... so right she was! Robbie soon went his own way, but Dave is still busy making sales on behalf of Vermont Sales in KZN.
Roland and Mindi Hunt -
1989Running out of space
Struben Street was outgrown - operation moved to Proes Street, Pretoria, and larger warehouse space. Demand in most of the Coastal towns, with Roland travelling to those more often. Started exhibiting at trade shows like HardEx.
Way, way back... -
1993Ryan Hunt joins the Team
Ryan Hunt returned from his successful MX racing career in Europe and saw the huge opportunities the power tool trade offered. He insisted in joining the growing sales team, with his mother showing him the sales ropes.
Shortly thereafter the deal with Dave Goodman was cancelled, leaving Roland Hunt as sole proprietor of Vermont Sales. New premises were urgently required - a small unit in a brand-new office park, Tilbury, in Midrand, was found and Angela Hunt, just having finished her BCom, was co-opted, for 6 months, to handle accounts and telesales, along with more warehouse staff and additional sales reps. Christine King came in twice a week to help Angela with the books.
The new premises required a forklift to offload deliveries - along came a Durban boy, Rohan Persad with a forklift licence - and some sales skills. Ryan started a serious marketing campaign - vehicles branded, banners and advertising promotions which lead to remarkable growth. After some personal struggles, Vermont Sales had, sadly, to say goodbye to Theo Willems, who was replaced by Gerhard Appleman and with a larger team, sales grew to the extent that the new premises were outgrown and building plans were started for our very own warehouse at another new office park, High Tech Village, on 16th Avenue, Midrand. Roland took many buying and sourcing trips to trade shows and factories during this time - Europe, USA, China and Taiwan.
Angela and Ryan -
1995First Warehouse Manager and Paul Rossouw
The staff compliment grew, with Freddy Sekwela leaving his security job at Tilbury to stay with VS - to this day - customer care member! Extra warehouse staff and our first warehouse manager, Roger Freemantle arrived. After moving to other positions in the business, Roger retired some 7 years ago. Paul Rossouw manned the telesales phones, and went on to become the truly Shining Star of the current sales team.
Christine King became the permanent bookkeeper and was joined by Anita Vosloo, who looks after the big accounts to this day.
Precious (Pinkie) Lekhoakhoe was employed to make sandwiches to feed the staff and do some cleaning. She now works in the returns department as a clerk. Andricia Makgotla, now in Customer Care and Tamara Moyo joined the book-keeping team, leaving us last year to return to Zimbabwe permanently.
Angela Hunt joined the company permanently and manages us all, so competently! Kitty Govender came along to become the receptionist.
Peter Masebane added to the delivery team and has now gone on to become a valuable member of the sales team in Mpumalanga. Peter Mabena and his wife, Natasha, joined the team. Peter began as a rasta 'gofer' but very soon went on to become a Sales Super Star. He left Vermont Sales last year to start his own business - very successfully so far. The lovely Natasha is still part of the telesales team. Trust Thembani Shuma started in the warehouse, worked his way up to becoming Merchandising Manager for several years. He has now chosen to return to Zimbabwe as the permanent Vermont Sales rep in that country.
Paul Rossouw always busy selling... -
1998Bigger Warehouse again...
By this time, we were building again! Bigger warehouse in High Tech Village, 16* Road. And lots going on! Gerhard went off to build bicycles, but his position was taken by Anton Riekert and Rajan Moonsamy.
Vermont Sales were adding brands to the range as rumours started circling that Bosch was planning to buy the Vermont American Company and would take over the distribution of the brand in South Africa.
Alpen Drill Bits (Austria), Olfa Cutting Knives (Japan), Shroder Insert Bits (Germany), MPS Jigsaw Blades (Germany), PG Professional in (Italy), FLEXIPADS (UK), Pony Clamps (USA) - all world-renowned brands, were introduced during the next couple of years.
Daniel Melin, who had been acting as an agent for Vermont Sales for some time, joined the company to manage Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Province. At this time, Roger Freemantle's soon to be son-in-law, Dale Engelbrecht, would come in to help in the warehouse over weekends - particularly at stock-take time. Dale completed his studies and was looking for permanent employment when Roland suggested he join our staff permanently - he did, working in various capacities thoughout stock control and warehouse management. First OPEN DAY held at 18 High Tech Village. Cape Town needed serious attention. Ryan and Mindi went on a recruitment drive and found Lee de Bruyn and Roberto Bellotti to take on the task and assist Kay. A small office was opened at Paarden Island where a successful Western Cape Open Day was held. Walter Katzeff, previously a customer, briefly joined the sales team. Roberto left the team and his place was taken by "Captain Tork Craft", Shermond O' Connor, and Graeme Ferguson. The Cape Town office was closed when Kay went off to pursue other interests.
By this time both the warehouse and sales teams were growing, Paul Rossouw, who started on Telesales, swiftly hit the road and has become the champion salesman of Vermont Sales! Barry Irvine, Joey Fokkema, Neilen Viljoen and Natasha Braye joined the sales team, and at the same time Benson Moyo, Lawrence Moyo, Jaco Fourie, Shawn van Zyl, Tamara Moyo, Violet Malinga and the famous Nundkishoor Kissoon (retired), all graced the telephones.
Bruwer Leykauf, Marcel Crous and Joey Gopal, among many others, were in the warehouse where the very young Regard Stols helped out on a temporary basis before going off to try his luck at Q-School in the USA, Debtors Department was growing with additions of several new faces, including the beautiful Desire Moodley. Kitty Govender left us and her receptionist position was taken by the inimitable Shuwetha Makardood, (Pic) who is now to be found in HR.
Teams in KZN grew with the addition of Sean Henderson and Ryan Jacobs. Lots of product training and demos took place at every opportunity to promote the Vermont American brand and grow the market for the newer brands being sourced. Protech Router Bits were sourced from an excellent manufacturer in Taiwan.
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1999Angela got married!
We again attended HardEx as representatives of Vermont American. In May that year we celebrated the wedding of Angela Hunt to Jeremy Fox and all Vermont Sales staff were invited - including our IT provider, Jim Lemon, who baked the cake!
Angela & Jeremy's wedding and HardEx Show... -
2000The end of Vermont American
The staff and family continue to grow. Angela had her first child, Christopher, takes two years off, but continues to help with the organising of what have become our now famous Open Days.
On buying trips Roland is now joined by Mindi, and Ryan travels to the USA regularly to source new product and ideas. Bosch finally pulls the plug on the agreement of Vermont Sales with Vermont American - gives 30 days' notice. However, the Tork Craft brand had been growing behind the scenes and could finally start to flourish.
New products came along fast and the offering to the retail trade grew by leaps and bounds, with huge customer support.
Ryan and Inge got married, and Inge, after leaving her job with a large property management company, has gone on to become the head of Graphics and Design, and responsible for all our company branding and graphics.
Tork Craft comes alive and Ryan and Inge got married -
2006Bulging at the seams again and Training Department is born
By now, again bulging at the seams, new premises had to be found and the gigantic move to 8 Suni Ave, Corporate Park South, Randjespark took place. Dale Engelbrecht took charge of the new ware-house, Paul Rossouw's brother, Martin, joined - willing to do anything, so he, with his electrical background, soon set to work in the early testing centre. Martin now handles all Festool business in the Western Cape.
Bruwer Leykauf became the first training officer. Regard Stols returned from his adventures in the USA - eager to take up a full-time position, also doing anything! His first job was filing, but he did go on to take over the warehouse from Dale. Dale was taken under Roland's wing to learn the buying and costing processes. He has gone on to become the Commercial Director of the company.
Regard Stols did a wonderful warehouse management job with the help of Werner Botha, until 2020, when he changed stream to become a Group and Regional Sales Manager in 2021. Werner Botha still works tirelessly in various capacities in the warehouse, along with Karabo Monareng, Ernest Baloyi, Vusi Mhlanga - now Assistant Warehouse Manager.
Dale Engelbrecht and Reghard Stols -
2007Werner Henning joins and 1st Team Building
First Sales motivation & team building event took place in the Drakensburg. Fun & adventure for all! The move to Suni meant room for all departments to grow.
Accounts gained a wonderful, and very competent, Financial Manager, Werner Henning, who has gone on to become our Financial Director. Yolanda, Brenda, Vassie Naidoo, Shirley Carstens and the very able Martie Everts added their style to the department.
Yolanda now runs the returns department and the other ladies are still in the team - except for Vassie, who retired last year. Telesales was joined by Jan van der Walt, Jaco Fourie, Frik Els, and Cyril Naidu, amongst others.
Merchandising Team grew with the addition of Charl Mostert and Claude Samuels, Takalani Mudau, Nelson Madabahanya, Benson Moyo, among others. The sales team grew with additions to the regional teams, Patrick Hall in the Eastern Cape, Tinus Pretorius in Mpumalanga, Abel Phooko in the Free State, Ashley Brooker in Gauteng.
First Sales Team Building, Werner, Martie, Frik, Jaco and Cyril -
2008Board of Directors created
Barry Irvine promoted to National Sales Manager. Board of Directors created. So many staff members that we finally employed our first HR Manager, Hans Niewoudt, who along with Warren Young, son of the famous king of Triton, John, (deceased) was with us for a couple of years, as was Greg de Villiers - who managed Triton and other brands for a brief period.
At one of the many trade shows we attended we discovered Louis Fourie - ace demonstrator, who went on to set up the highly professional Testing Centre we are so fortunate to have operating at world class level at Vermont Sales. Louis was instrumental in the design of many of the testing equipment tools in use, and the precise recording and cataloguing of all work done in the facility. Louis has now retired, but pops in to check on the team, regularly.
Open Days every year - each one more exciting than the last. With more and more wonderful staff members joining our various teams.
Testing Centre Team with Doan, Ben, Louis, Pamela, Jason and Barry Irvine our National Sales Manager. -
2012Construction starts at 192 Tsessebe Crescent: last move?
The decision to keep both premises operational due to growth was taken. Staff grows to around 300. Regional Managers, Brand Managers, Group Managers. Graphics Department, full Training Department, and expanded Product Testing, Design and Development Centre created.
Trust Thembani Tsuma becomes Merchandising Manager. The top floor is an extremely important part of Vermont Sales as the Graphics team, lead by Inge Hunt and Christina Prica Botha, create all the promotional material, leaflets pamphlets, catalogues, videos, packaging design, in-house for Vermont Sales. The buying department overseen by Dale Engelbrecht, and assisted by Jaco Fourie and team, manage all aspects of the buying of product, dealing with overseas suppliers and all logistics.
Frik Els is directly involved with new product development and works closely with the testing department and graphics. Ist floor houses Sales Management, run by Barry Irvine, Sales Director, Vincent van Rooyen, Sales Manager and Cyril Naidu, On-line Sales Expert. The Accounts Department, managed by Werner Henning, Martie Evert and Angela de St Pern, with many long-term staff members, Anita Vosloo, Stephanie Moodley, Marelize Taljaard, Erica Eybers, Elna Kruger, Sanele Matsapola and joined by some lovely new faces, Lindewe Ngobese, Pretty Zwane, Joann Naidoo and Leslee Akpan all looking after the financial health of the business. Ground floor is set with a fully equipped Training Centre, now overseen by Mbali Maroka, with trainer Elaine Symons and the training and demo team of Itumaleng Ndondo, and Richard Nkese. Our Training Centre holds regular hands-on product training, merchandising training, selling skills training, and more, for both our own staff - new and old - and the staff of our customers.
Certificates are awarded to successful trainees. Our trainers also travel to all regions of Southern Africa! Apart from our two lovely receptionists, Charmain shabalala and Pride Dube, the ground floor also houses the Telesales department, very ably managed by Amit Jivan and his enthusiastic team, and the Collections Department run by Joey Gopal. Our Customer Care Department is run by Freddy Sekwela and Samu Mtshali.
The world-renowned brand of woodworking and power tools, FESTOOL, approaches Vermont Sales to become its distributor in Southern Africa.
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2015Vermont Sales turns 30 and our Website is born
A special mention goes to the Lé Hanie family.
Fanie, after being a customer, joined Vermont Sales during this time to bring his expertise to create and develop the first website. His son Stefan, a Festool expert, also joined the team - going on later to a brief stint in the training department. He and his younger brother, René, now assist their father in keeping all the Websites absolutely up to date, Fanie's daughter Christine also worked in the Graphics Department for a year.
Our Web Team -
2019 / 2020World-Class Testing Centre
The Testing Centre was expanded and is now a world class technical testing facility. Chief Officer being Ben Botha and his crew of acolytes - Doan Venter, Pamela Chipa and Jason Nkhabelane.
Covid years! Our new Warehouse Manager, Herman Oosthuysen helped to keep the doors open, no staff were laid off and all staff fully paid, for which we are extremely proud. During Herman's tenure new systems have been introduced and more department supervisors inducted. A fully equipped Repairs Department operates under his guidance with Johan van der Walt at the helm. The Returns Department is more than ably handled by Yolanda Linde and her efficient team.
World-Class Testing Centre with Doan, Jason and Ben at work -
2021Exhibition Centre and Ettienne Roux joins
The Exhibition Centre, with European class and its comfortable café /coffee area, is created in the old Suni offices, with specialist exhibits of brands and categories changing regularly throughout the year - open at all times - for all customers. Superbly managed by Julian Pillay and his assistant, Maite Molokomme.
And during this year along came a person who has a huge impact on the health of Vermont Sales, the brains behind all our software IT - Etienne Roux, who also keeps us endlessly amused with his brilliant sense of humour. Never forget the chocolates! A couple of assistants later, and we have been lucky enough to welcome Romeo Smith to the team.
The Vermont Sales Exhibition Centre in Midrand -
2022Maintenance and Fleet Manager
Our new Maintenance and Fleet Manager, Cuan Elsey, joined us in 2022 and has become an indispensable part of the running of Vermont Sales.
Our website received an upgrade and became mobile-friendly rendering better across different devices. Customers value the platform as the most important part of doing business with Vermont Sales.
Cuan Elsey
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2024Vincent van Rooyen appointed as National Sales Manager
Vincent van Rooyen appointed as National Sales Manager, and the Regional and Product management teams expanded, including Daniel Melin, Regard Stols, Stephan Pretorius, Tinus Pretorius, Theuns Botha, Abel Ngema, Johan Badenhorst, Claude Samuel, Shawn van Zyl, Kerry Sturman, Quintin van der Schyff, Sonja Stander, Emma Olivier - All making their valuable mark in their various portfolios.
Vincent van Rooyen
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202540th Anniversary
Many staff have come and gone through the years, several have retired, and some, sadly, passed on, but we are proud today that many more have stayed, starting as youngsters in their first jobs, going on to becoming heads of departments, managers and even directors!
40th Anniversary and 1st OPEN DAY since Covid!