Johannesburg – Behind every industrial success story, there’s a human one.
Most people never see it.
They don’t see the engineer solving a problem long after everyone else has gone home, or the technician travelling through the night to keep a customer’s mining plant operational. They don’t see the mentor sharing decades of hard-earned experience with a young graduate taking their first steps into industry.
Yet these are the people who keep industries moving.
Their names may never appear on a project signboard or in a headline. Yet their expertise and determination keep industries moving every day.
These are the hidden heroes of industrial growth.
As Bosch Rexroth Africa celebrates its 60th anniversary, it’s these people the company has chosen to honour. To mark the milestone, Bosch Rexroth Africa has published a special anniversary publication sharing the stories and defining moments that have shaped the business over six decades – while exploring what South Africa and the continent will need to thrive over the next 60 years.
Because while technology continues to evolve, one truth has remained unchanged: people are the foundation of every lasting achievement.
“When people look at a 60-year milestone, it’s easy to focus on the projects, technologies and business achievements,” says Chris Riley, Regional President Bosch Rexroth Africa and Chief Executive Officer of Bosch Rexroth South Africa. “But when I reflect on our journey, I see the people behind those achievements. I see employees who dedicated decades of their careers to building this business, mentors who invested in the next generation, and teams who consistently went above and beyond for our customers and communities. They are the true authors of our story.”
The people behind the progress
An achievement of this magnitude is never reached alone.
Over six decades, Bosch Rexroth Africa has grown alongside Africa’s industrial sector, shaped by people whose contributions often happen far from the spotlight.
They include the team that spent two and a half years bringing an underwater mining vessel to life, specialists who mobilised within days to complete a critical steel mill installation, and managers who worked alongside warehouse teams during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep customers supported.
Across the Group, long-term success has been built on trust, technical expertise and a willingness to go the extra mile when it matters most.
A legacy built on sharing knowledge
One of the most important lessons from the past 60 years is that expertise only becomes a legacy when it’s shared.
Today, experienced professionals work alongside a new generation of engineers and technicians, combining decades of knowledge with fresh thinking. It’s a reminder that industries evolve by building on experience, not replacing it.
For Bosch Rexroth Africa, investing in people has always been fundamental to long-term success.
Through technical training programmes, MERSETA-accredited courses, SHEQ initiatives and youth programmes, the company has helped build capability across South Africa and the continent.
One such success story is Sheron Ubisi, who joined through the YES4Youth programme in 2021 and today holds an MPhil in Quality Engineering while working as a Compliance Administrator and Quality Inspector.
Her journey reflects what’s possible when potential is matched with mentorship and opportunity.
“Our anniversary theme, #StrongerTogether, isn’t simply a slogan,” says Riley. “It’s a reflection of how we’ve grown over six decades. Whether it’s experienced professionals sharing knowledge with younger colleagues, teams working together to solve complex challenges, or partnerships built on trust over many years, we’ve learned that sustainable success is always a collective effort.”
Strong communities build strong industries
The company’s people-first philosophy extends beyond the workplace.
Over the years, Bosch Rexroth Africa has supported initiatives ranging from 16 years of Mandela Day container libraries and Operation Antifreeze, that provides and packs school meals for hungry children, to environmental and educational programmes. Across the continent, projects such as Father’s Care Home in Ghana – which provides shelter, education and support to vulnerable Ghanaian children – have extended that impact further.
They are united by a simple belief: strong industries and strong communities grow together.
Looking to the next 60 years
While this anniversary celebrates the past, it’s also an opportunity to consider the future.
Africa’s industry is entering a new era shaped by automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, creating new opportunities for growth and innovation.
Yet after 60 years in Africa, Bosch Rexroth Africa believes the future won’t be defined by technology alone.
It will be shaped by the people who design, operate, maintain and improve it. And it will require businesses, communities and industries to work together in ways that create lasting value.
“The technologies shaping industry will continue to evolve, but our commitment to people will not,” says Riley. “If we want a strong industrial future for South Africa and the continent, we must continue investing in talent, innovation and the partnerships that help communities and industries grow together.”
Throughout its anniversary celebrations, Bosch Rexroth Africa has rallied around a simple idea: #StrongerTogether. More than a campaign theme, it reflects a belief that progress is built through collaboration – between colleagues, customers, communities and future generations.
The hidden heroes of Africa’s industrial growth may never seek recognition. Yet their stories remind us that behind every milestone, every innovation and every success, there are people who make it possible.
They’ve shaped the last 60 years.
And, together, they’ll help shape the next 60 too.
