Klerkscale’s vision of becoming a global leader in weighing technology stretches far beyond South Africa’s borders. With more than six decades of experience, a dedicated team, and a reputation for resilience, the company is steadily turning that vision into reality. Recognised as one of Africa’s leading industrial weighing companies, Klerkscale continues to serve its customers with the same passion and dedication that has defined its journey for over 60 years.

“Our story began in 1958, born from the growing demand for reliable, locally manufactured weighing systems. From the start, our mission has always been clear: to serve industry and commerce across South Africa and our neighbouring countries,” says Robert Stephenson, Managing Director of Klerkscale.

That mission quickly expanded. By 1977, the company had established a fully equipped factory, combining manufacturing, advanced electronics, mobile service units and software solutions. This foundation set the stage for Klerkscale’s larger ambition of being a global leader in weighing technology.

A family business built on resilience

During the past 68 years, Klerkscale has navigated South Africa’s shifting economic and political landscape. As a third-generation family business, its success has been shaped by strong leadership, succession planning and a culture that balances family values with business needs.

In the late 1970s and 1980s, the company operated under apartheid-era restrictions, which limited international trade and forced businesses to rely on domestic production. Despite these challenges, Klerkscale built a solid customer base and laid the groundwork for future growth.

The second generation faced new hurdles: the transition to democracy, inequality and slow economic growth. Yet, as South Africa opened to international trade, Klerkscale seized opportunities in mining and manufacturing, expanding into Southern Africa and diversifying into electronics and civil engineering projects.

The third generation embraced digital transformation. Communication, trust and collaboration became central to strategy, while investments in employee development and innovation ensured the company stayed competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Local manufacturing, global reach

“At Klerkscale, South African quality is our standard,” says Morné Fourie, Manufacturing Manager. The company’s commitment to local production allows it to deliver tried-and-tested standard weighbridges while also offering fully customised solutions.

“Our entire production process is in-house. From cutting, drilling, sand blasting, galvanising and painting. Everything is done under one roof by a team of specialists,” Morné adds.

Each unit is assembled and triple-checked before delivery, ensuring accuracy, reliability and long-term performance.

Klerkscale doesn’t just build new weighbridges; it refurbishes, converts and upgrades older models from any supplier. With current capacity, the company produces up to six weighbridges each month.

The company’s expertise extends beyond manufacturing. “With our accredited verification, repair and calibration laboratory, nothing is too big and nothing is too small,” says Michalin Saminathan from the Legal Metrology team. “We verify and calibrate everything – from milligrams to hundreds of tonnes, and being fully mobile means there’s nowhere we can’t go.”

This accreditation ensures compliance with ISO standards and legal metrology requirements, thereby protecting fair trade and consumer trust across South Africa and beyond.

Innovation in electronics and software

Klerkscale’s in-house electronics department designs, manufactures and services the components that power modern weighing systems. Their solutions integrate with biometrics, access control, cameras, sensors and other hardware technologies, making weighing equipment smarter and more connected.

Richard Mbipha, a senior technician who has been with the company since 2000, reflects: “In that time, I’ve worked on every type of weighing system you can imagine, retail scales, hopper scales, platform scales and full weighbridges. My work has taken me across Africa to Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique the DRC and many others, installing, servicing, and maintaining systems in some of the most challenging environments.”

Today, Klerkscale’s reach extends internationally, supporting clients as far afield as Panama in Central America and Mauritania in Northwest Africa.

“At Klerkscale, we always aim to make weighing faster, smarter and more reliable,” explains Jacques Naude, Software and Digital Systems Manager. The company’s standard software package includes features such as product grading, stored tare weighments, data preloading, order management and automated notifications. However, the company has taken things even further, introducing real-time dashboards, live alerts as well as full reporting accessible from mobile devices.

Looking ahead

Klerkscale’s journey is one of resilience, adaptation and innovation. From its beginnings in Klerksdorp to its growing international footprint, the company has remained true to its founding mission: delivering reliable, locally manufactured weighing solutions.

As Robert puts it, “Our mission has always been clear – to serve industry and commerce. And with the momentum we have today, our dream of becoming a global leader in weighing technology is closer than ever.”

You can learn more about Klerkscale and the company’s weighing solutions by visiting their website at www.klerkscale.co.za