"To provide the perfect fit fast ‘– as per B.E.D.’s operational ethos - we need more than stock on our shelves," says Limpopo Operations Manager Gerhardt Theron.

"We also pride ourselves on implementing the B.E.D. slogan ‘it’s our business to know your business’. To do this, we need the right team, the right knowledge and the right processes to anticipate and solve customer challenges before they become problems. At B.E.D. Lephalale, we are focused on these elements, to ensure success."

Small team, big results

Despite being one of the smaller B.E.D. branches, Lephalale operates with precision and purpose. The team is highly skilled, drawing on decades of experience in welding, fasteners, and bearings. In addition to aligning operationally to the company’s ethos of providing customers with ‘the perfect fit, fast,’ this tight-knit group embraces B.E.D.'s renowned 100/0 principle: taking 100% responsibility, with 0% excuses.

One of the branch’s major accomplishments has been its pivot from a primarily mining-focused customer base to a growing share of the local agricultural market. By for example recognising the critical role of specialised bearings in farming equipment - and leveraging its team members’ in-depth technical knowledge of bearings - B.E.D. Lephalale is now firmly positioned as a key player in supporting local agri-businesses with speed and accuracy.

Strategic hires and a strong emphasis on people development have also underpinned the branch’s success. From experienced team members with 16 years in the industry, to new employees who have quickly moved from administrative support to internal sales, Theron highlights that the right people are central to delivering on B.E.D.'s customer service commitment:

"Teamwork makes the dream work, as the saying goes! We are very appreciative of the effort our people put in, and we build the branch around those individuals who show initiative, grow into their roles and genuinely care about the customer," he explains, adding that - in line with the 100/0 principle – B.E.D. Lephalale’s culture rewards accountability, not hierarchy.

Location and fast delivery

The branch's proximity to large-scale operations such as Medupi Power Station and the surrounding mining activity has further cemented its strategic importance and driven a need for the responsive delivery, for which the Lephalale team has become known, and which has become a cornerstone of its service offering. "We could not run a business with deliveries only twice a week. We therefore motivated for – and secured - daily deliveries, because when a machine stops, the customer needs the part today and not tomorrow," advises Theron.

This operational step-change has driven significant growth: stock volumes have increased, a new warehouse extension is planned, and the branch now regularly sees deliveries increasing exponentially, from two to eight tons. This all reflects a business built to enable productivity: high-impact support, informed advice and unmatched urgency.

The team also reinforces partnerships through site-specific support, and plans to host future branch open days to better showcase its full product range to key target sectors including power generation, mining, agriculture and fabrication.

B.E.D. Lephalale also recently participated in a local agricultural expo with resounding success, strengthening its visibility in the region and fostering new customer relationships: “It was a great opportunity to showcase our capabilities and connect with existing and potential agri customers face-to-face,” enthuses Theron. The event highlighted the branch’s growing presence in the agriculture sector, further establishing B.E.D. as a trusted local partner for fasteners, bearings, tools, and technical support.

Excellent products = excellent results

Product excellence also plays a role. A stand-out example is the branch's supply of an eco-friendly degreaser to mining and agriculture customers throughout the region, now moving thousands of litres per month: “This is a niche product, but one that speaks to the value B.E.D. brings: reliable supply, tested performance, and a deep understanding of what keeps local industries moving,” Theron emphasises.

By partnering with trusted brands like SKF, a global leader in bearing technology and motion solutions, battery-operated power tools provider Milwaukee - as well as premier welding supplier Fronius and plasma cutting solutions provider Hypertherm - B.E.D. Lephalale also ensures the reliable supply of high-quality equipment and consumables which keep mining, power generation and agricultural operations operating at full capacity.

As Theron puts it: "We do not just want to sell ‘another product’ – we want to sell our customer the best product for their needs. It is about enabling our customers to stay up and running, and about being their trusted local supplier – the first people they call – who they know will supply the right product, on time!"

While independently agile, the branch also remains deeply aligned with the B.E.D. Group’s national vision and ethos, ensuring consistent value for its local and regional customers.

“From power generation to mining and agriculture - from fasteners to specialist bearings, PPE and lifting equipment - B.E.D. Lephalale continues to prove that small teams - when driven by the right people, precision and performance - can make a big impact!” Theron concludes.