Initially structured as a consultancy and drawing office with general engineering capabilitieslater research into the South African market for hoists and overhead cranes revealed an opportunity which Condra's management believed the company could fill - that of local manufacture in place of local assembly. The research indicated that there existed substantial demand for a range of robust cranes and hoists if these could be competitively priced.
Manufacture of the first overhead cranes began in 1971. Four years later Condra moved to a
custom built factory in Germiston, where design and manufacture of the first hoists began.
The company remains in Germiston today, but growth has been such that the size of the
original factory and offices was doubled in 1982. An additional 1 200 square meters of factory
space has recently been completed to cater for anticipated growth.
Financial Background
Founder and present managing director Josef Kleiner remains the company's owner. There are no
external shareholders.
The company is wholly funded by the profits of its quality range of products.