MAIZEY PLASTICS: 75 Years of Family, Innovation and Growth
Three quarters of a century in and Maizey Plastics keeps its appetite for excellence as it expands into new premises, new products, and new partnerships. CEO Wessel Van der Merwe tells Enterprise Africa more about a sustainable success story.
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A South African family business with a global outlook, Maizey Plastics has evolved from humble beginnings in Pretoria to become the country’s largest independent importer and distributor of semi-finished plastic products. In its 75th anniversary year, the company is preparing to move into a modern ‘all-under-one-roof’ distribution centre and head office, marking a new chapter for the Maizey family legacy.
Founded in 1950 by Richard Maizey, the business began when he was contracted by the South African Mint as a Master Die Sinker to manufacture dies for coin pressing. When that contract ended, he moved into engraving, die-sinking and blade sharpening, before discovering an innovative product. “Later, he started to engrave onto plastics, specifically acrylic Perspex. Soon after, the distributor of Perspex ceased in SA, and he was the largest user of Perspex so was offered the agency,” CEO Wessel Van der Merwe explains for Enterprise Africa.
That agency was a turning point, giving Maizey Plastics a unique foothold in the market. From those early years, the family has consistently sought out opportunities, with successive generations building on Richard’s entrepreneurial spirit. “Today, we are 75 years old, and it is an exciting year for us, with a lot of celebration – acknowledging where we come from and where we are going,” Van der Merwe reflects.
INNOVATION TO LEADERSHIP
The company is now firmly established as a national leader. “We are the largest independent importer and distributor of semi-finished products which we supply to the sign and display market as well as the industrial and engineering plastic sectors,” Van der Merwe says. The footprint today includes 24 operational branches and one online store, covering every major commercial hub. “The vision of the second generation was to have a footprint in every city of South Africa. When I joined in 1998, we had seven outlets and today we have 25,” he explains.
This presence is strategic, allowing Maizey to stay close to clients. “For example, in the Western Cape, we have three sites in Cape Town, including our latest opening in Epping. I think the footprint in SA is complete,” says Van der Merwe. “In the last four years we have added an additional 11,000 m2 of trading space to improve the customer experience.”
A key element of the company’s growth has been a strong people-first culture. “The edge here at Maizey is that this is a family business and no one is just a number. Family values are at the core of the company and we are a lean team that takes decisions quickly,” Van der Merwe says.
RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY
The Covid-19 pandemic was a defining challenge. While many sectors stalled, Maizey Plastics was deemed essential. “We were fortunate as we became a critical service provider, distributing clear plastics used as shields. A large part of the business came to a complete standstill but the work in the protective sector was a blessing,” Van der Merwe recalls. Still, recovery was slow. “Post Covid, it took two years to get back to the 2019 levels and since then it has been a flat economy.”
Globally, the plastics industry was hit hard by disruptions in logistics, commodity price volatility, and surging freight costs. South Africa’s reliance on imports compounded the challenge, with port congestion and energy instability making consistent supply difficult. Yet Maizey’s forward-planning and strong supplier relationships helped the company weather the storm.
“Our supply chain is our heartbeat. Our Chairman always says ‘you cannot sell from an empty barrel’,” Van der Merwe stresses. The company maintains around R350 million in stock across 7,500 SKUs, an enormous commitment to availability. “Being an importer and distributor, we have local and global partners, and we like to support local manufacturing as much as possible. European companies are key for our imports, as well as some Chinese businesses,” he says.
This philosophy of strong stockholding means customers can rely on Maizey for consistency, despite external pressures. “If you have one irregularity in that process, it is a very long chain to get back on track.” Van der Merwe adds.
SMOOTH GROWTH
The next milestone is a state-of-the-art 20,000 m² distribution centre and new head office in Jet Park, Johannesburg. “It is a family and Exco dream come true to have the head office and distribution centre merge under one premises, a 20,000 m2 facility. It is a very exciting and also nerve-recking at the same time – as this is very big for us,” says Van der Merwe. “Our current DC is bursting at the seams and we have to now make a decision around being efficient or just coping.”
The new site will provide efficiency gains, better product presentation, and improved logistics across the Maizey South African footprint and beyond. It also represents a major investment at a time when many South African businesses are holding back. “The reality is that now we cannot hold on any longer and we must invest to grow,” Van der Merwe says.
Across the world, plastics are under scrutiny. In South Africa, government regulations and consumer concerns are shaping demand. Van der Merwe is realistic about the challenge. “The word ‘plastic’ is a red flag when it comes to sustainability and, so often, what we do with long-term, durable products are put in the same basket as single use plastics. They are very different products and sustainability is a big focus for us as a company.”
Rather than token gestures, Maizey is seeking practical solutions. “We don’t want to just make a noise because of fashion. We want to be realistic and look deeply at recyclability and biodegradability. A lot of products in plastics can have a second and third life,” Van der Merwe says. This aligns with broader global industry trends, where recycling and circularity are slowly reshaping supply chains, although cost remains a barrier.
“Some parts of the world are a lot more willing to pay that charge for a second or third life product but others are not,” Van der Merwe acknowledges. As South Africa’s economy develops, demand for sustainable solutions is likely to grow, opening new opportunities for innovators like Maizey.
Another factor that sets the company apart is its balance between size and speed. “The flexibility, and the small-big company status is the key to what makes us different,” Van der Merwe explains. By staying lean while maintaining global partnerships, Maizey is able to keep ahead of trends. “We are innovative and willing to evolve and keep up with the times, including the product offering which we try to stay ahead of by partnering with global experts and being a part of global exhibitions.”
Technology has reshaped the business landscape, and Maizey embraces this reality. “It has made the world smaller and anything is available from the palm of your hand. To stay as an industry leader, you need to always be ahead of the curve and our global partners play a huge role in that,” Van der Merwe says. “We believe in partnerships, and we bring the world to South Africa.”
NEW ERA OF QUALITY
After 75 years, Maizey Plastics stands at the threshold of a new era. The company’s ability to combine long-standing family values with modern, agile strategies has been central to its success. “Our suppliers must deliver quality products that are suitable for our markets and for our clients – that is always where we start. When we look for a new partner, our first question is are they the leaders in what they do? We see ourselves as market leaders and we want to join forces with market leaders globally,” Van der Merwe concludes.
As the new headquarters opens and sustainability shapes new demand, the family’s core values remain unchanged. Organised, structured, yet nimble and client-focused, Maizey Plastics has all the tools to remain South Africa’s plastics leader for decades to come.