Story & history
It All Began When Two Brothers Sold Their Cars
In 1989, brothers Des and Rob Wentzel saw an opportunity, but lacking the necessary finances, they each sold their cars and invested the proceeds into parts and components to build Generators. Wenbro was born. The combination of “Wentzel” and “brothers” became ‘Wenbro’ and, what started out of sacrifice has grown into a legacy.
A Diesel Mechanic by trade, Des brought crucial knowledge and experience to the partnership, handling the technical aspects of the Generator manufacture. while Rob, with a background in Accounting and Finance, took care of the business’s financials, with both brothers learning from each other.
After bending frames by hand and working into the night to keep up with orders, the brothers finally reached breakeven, becoming profitable and able to employ Thomas, their first technician, who is still part of the Wenbro family today.
Wenbro Polokwane (then Pietersburg) opened its doors in March 1989 and continued evolving its product lines and service offering. It was some advice offered from a supplier and an advance towards equipment that gave the brothers their push to branch into the hire market, Wenbro became Wenbro Hire and things have not stopped growing since.
After an amicable split between the brothers in 2003, Des took the lead as the sole owner of Wenbro and started expanding into franchises. Wenbro joined forces with Briggs & Stratton to launch Briggs & Stratton Hire, a franchised hire business.
Using a strong and recognised brand name, the demand grew, rapidly driving the expansion of the company. Before long, Des had grown Briggs & Stratton Hire to a peak of 16 franchises across 7 provinces, including Limpopo, Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal, the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, North West Province and the Western Cape. Only the original store in Polokwane remained under the Wenbro Hire brand.
In 2010, Des decided to start scaling back from franchising in favour of a branch model, with the goal of ensuring consistent Wenbro quality and values. Over the next few years, all remaining Briggs & Stratton Hire franchises joined Polokwane under the Wenbro Hire umbrella, with branches in Johannesburg and Pretoria, while the last franchise closed its doors in 2019.
Designing and manufacturing much of his own equipment in the hire fleet, Des managed to develop a strong, uncompromised Wenbro standard that has stood the test of time, through good times and bad. Holding onto the values and sacrifice that has brought us so far.
Wenbro is now looking to the future, modernising our approach, growing with the times but never letting go of what has brought us this far.
Wenbro opens it’s doors in what was then known as Pietersburg. (now Polokwane)
A Telkom contract for 100 Generators advances Wenbro into Generator
manufacturing. We move to a new premises in town with a hardware devision.
A supplier offers Wenbro stock on consignment, initiating the launch of
our Hire division.
The Brothers purchase a property on Silicon Street, giving Wenbro a new permanent home.
Wenbro obtains equipment to build Roof Trusses as part of a value exchange, starting a new venture
from the Silicon Street base.
Rob Wentzel sells his shares, making Des the sole owner of Wenbro.
Construction begins on a new premises on Platinum Street.
Des establishes a franchise model trading as ‘Briggs & Stratton Hire’.
The first batch of Wenbro Pedestrian Rollers roll off our production line.
Wenbro peaks at 17 locations across 7 provinces.
Disclaimer:
Des removes Briggs & Stratton Hire branded franchises and in favour of his hard-grown Wenbro brand.
Des and André Stols launch the Kya Sands branch.
The Pretoria branch opens with Adrienne Pratt heading the branch at the tender age of 22.
Wenbro celebrates 30 Years in business.
The last remaining franchise closes. Wenbro refreshes its brand, with a fresh logo and an al new look and feel.
Adrienne becomes branch manager in Polokwane, and Chaday takes over as
manager of the Pretoria branch
Wenbro launches their new website and online store, creating the opportunity to offer high-quality, affordable equipment not only to Gauteng and Limpopo, but across all the provinces of South Africa.
