South Africa

South Africa's largest distributor of engineering components goes back to humble beginnings 28 years ago when Bearing Man started from virtually nothing. With a network of branches across sub-Saharan Africa, the company has become a conduit for engineering consumables throughout the entire region.

Bearing Man started from scratch and growing through sheer hard work. In 1974, Greg Till and wife, Lorelle, co-founded a bearings business in Durban, South Africa. Twenty-eight years later, the company rakes in nearly $100 million in sales and has 90 sales outlets throughout southern Africa.

"We have broken ground," says Till, now the company's managing director. "We are setting the pace for our industry and charging ahead."

Bearing Man, a distributor focused on dynamic engineering consumables, has six main divisions: bearings, seals, power transmission, geared motors, electric motors and belting. "We consider ourselves to be a one-stop-shop, supplying strategic parts to most industries," Till explains.
Bearing Man founder and Managing Director Greg Till

"Approximately 95 percent of our products are procured internationally and our fervent desire to provide service and supply top industrial products is what sets us apart. We cater to our diverse clients' needs. What a 24-hour convenience store is to a household down the road, Bearing Man is to industry," he adds.

According to Till, the cornerstone of Bearing Man's foundation lies in its 27-year long relationship with IKO, a Japanese needle bearings manufacturer. "The value that a company can derive from individuals that have been with you for a long time is indispensable," he explains. "Today we are associated with such brands as NSK, Tsubaki, Fenner, Goodyear, Hallite Seals and NTN, to name a few. We put a lot of emphasis into our partnerships and are always open to opportunities in other fields."

Approaching its 30th anniversary, Bearing Man has ambitious plans to expand into the hydraulics field and looks to exciting growth possibilities for the geared motor division. And, the new plans are keeping Till too busy to sit around and think back to his company's achievements.

"Our ability to anticipate, recognize and grab opportunities is the secret to our success," he says. "We are always on our toes. I think the fact that we started from nothing has given us an extraordinary will to succeed."

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