Gauteng-based Craft Machine Tools is an importer of engineering machine tools used in the metal-forming and -cutting as well as metal-removal markets.
The 19-employee company, a subsidiary of the Thompson Machine Tools group, is the South African representative of Feeler, a leading Taiwanese manufacturer of computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools, including turning centres, vertical machining centres and double-column machining centres.
It also imports CNC sheet metal machinery, including press brakes, guillotines, rolls and iron workers from Belgium-based Haco, which has been in operation for the last 47 years.
Craft Machine Tools’ product range also includes CNC plasma, oxyflame and fibre laser cutting systems from Vanad, a company with manufacturing facilities in the Czech Republic.
For the entry-level end of the market, Craft Machine Tools imports Craft-branded conventional machine tools from Taiwan and mainland China. These include centre lathes, band saws, turret mills, radial arm drills, surface grinders, press brakes and guillotines.
Together with its sister company, Interprovince Engineering Supplies, a supplier of machine tool accessories, and Craft Service Division, responsible for presale and after-sales service, Craft Machine Tools can provide the end-user with a complete end-to-end solution.
Craft’s four owners/directors are Fred Thompson and Philip Thompson, with a 30% equity stake each, and Danny Thompson and Patrick Zackey, each of whom has a 20% interest.
The company’s premises are at 1 Hamburg road, in Benoni, on Gauteng’s East Rand.