First Cut is developing an exciting new profile in the Lowveld at Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit). Their presence builds on the foundation of an existing company, Bremsaw, which is a well-known local saw doctor business, explains Director of First Cut, Gary Willis.
Dave and Anna Bremner owned the company for some 20 years. While the company had been a customer of First Cut for many years buying various sawing-related products, a change came about when Dave and Anna decided to sell their business.
Willis has had a long and successful relationship with Bremsaw, calling on the Bremners for many years. “It’s always a business we have had an interest in,” he explains. The ultimate result was that First Cut took over the business in August 2018, with the former owners staying on to assist with the management and transition phase until July this year.
First Cut have appointed former Johannesburg-based employee Nico Nel as the key salesperson at the branch.
“Nico has many advantages going for him in that he has excellent product knowledge and also knows the area and the customers around Mbombela extremely well, having represented us there for some time when he was working at First Cut in Johannesburg,” explains Willis.
Currently, Bremsaw is relatively small company with a team of some 10 people; however it does have a saw sharpening and repair facility on site. As such, the business can handle all types and sizes of saws for sharpening or repair. Bremsaw has traditionally supplied blades to the local timber industry.
However, First Cut is very keen to grow not only the timber industry market share; but also to aggressively market the rest of their cutting consumables and capital equipment offering.
“As we like to say when training our sales people, First Cut’s ethos is to cross-sell and upsell – or ‘sell your (product) basket’,” says Willis.
“We therefore see Bremsaw as an excellent base and springboard from which to market our products to customers from Mbombela, all the way up to Tzaneen and even as far as Maputo,” he explains, adding that the opportunities offered by the region are considerable and there is much potential for growth in the branch’s sales. To realise this potential, First Cut is planning to hire a further salesperson for the business, who can embark on building relationships with new and existing customers.
“Our team has worked hard to inject fresh energy into what is fast becoming a vibrant business,” Willis continues. Apart from circular and bandsaw blades for the timber industry, First Cut offers customers the choice of locally manufactured hacksaw blades and cutting consumables; as well as capital equipment, such as sheet metal and tube lasers, brake presses and tube and wire benders.
“From First Cut perspective, we have been in the business of supplying cutting consumables and capital equipment for 63 years,” he explains. The company’s policy of supplying top quality premium brand products has stood it in good stead, as it has weathered the various economic cycles that have happened in the past six decades.
The company is renowned for not only delivering superb products but also consistently excellent advice and service; which enhance the productivity and profitability of its customers. First Cut maintains excellent relationships with a range of overseas principals who are recognised globally for supplying state-of-the-art, highly advanced technology.
The acquisition of Bremsaw is a valuable addition to the other branches First Cut has around South Africa,” explains Willis.
“We look forward to taking Mpumalanga’s timber industry to new frontiers of productivity with our cutting-edge products – and to supplying a range of cutting, grinding, bending and welding technology to other forward-looking industries in the Mbombela region,” he concludes.
Note to Editors
With 63 years of industry experience, First Cut is a leading South African distributor of a range of cutting consumables and capital equipment.
Since producing its first band saw blade in 1956, First Cut has grown its offering substantially over the years, and is able to meet the needs of a vast range of industries through the supply of band saw blades, circular saw blades, hacksaw blades, and other cutting consumables.
First Cut’s merger with Alexander and Poole in 2001, an exclusive agent for the Starrett range of cutting tools, was a significant milestone in the company’s history, as was its acquisition in 2002 of Band Sawing Services, which meant that the company could expand its services into capital equipment.
Since then, First Cut’s capital equipment division has grown exponentially, thanks to its partnerships with some of the best-known brands globally. The company’s capital equipment division specialises in metal cutting, sheet metal processing, structural (such as CNC bending and punching), and tube and pipe processing. First Cut has also invested substantially in its service programme enabling the company to provide repairs and maintenance services for a wide range of machines, from entry level band saws to state-of-the-art CNC controlled drilling and cutting lines.
Employing 240 people, First Cut is based in Benrose, Gauteng but has a national footprint and distribution facilities across South Africa.
Quality is at the top of the agenda at First Cut and the company has achieved the ISO 9001:2015 certification and adheres to strict quality and safety regulations.
Editorial Contact
Kendal Hunt
Managing Director
Kendal Hunt Communications
+27 11 462 6188
+27 82 823 6533