2016: The Benoni start
CaterKraft started in Benoni, East Rand, in 2016 under the leadership of Lerato Khumalo. The early work was focused on practical stainless steel pieces that could handle daily use, heat, moisture and constant cleaning. In those first months the team concentrated on prep tables, sinks and simple counters for kitchens that needed hard wearing equipment without long lead times.
The business was set up around on site measuring, careful fabrication and clear after sales support. That mattered from the start because a prep surface that is 20 mm out or a sink that does not suit the room can hold up a whole install. Lerato kept the work close to the workshop, with each job checked against the real space it had to fit.
2017: The domain takes shape
By 2017 the name on this domain had become linked with reliable endurance in catering equipment. The archived wording from that year spoke to the same idea the business still holds today: equipment must work under pressure, day after day, in kitchens that do not stop for rain, load-shedding or a busy lunch rush. The old logo from that period was part of the early identity, although the focus was never on styling alone. It was always about what the equipment could do on the floor.
That year also helped define the business tone. Customers in Benoni and the surrounding East Rand wanted straight answers, realistic lead times and equipment that could be cleaned quickly. CaterKraft built its reputation by keeping things practical and by making sure the materials and finishing were suited to South African conditions, including coastal humidity on deliveries further afield and the day to day wear of municipal and private kitchens alike.
- Stainless prep tables for food preparation areas
- Gas ranges for takeaways and compact kitchens
- Bain maries for service counters and serving lines
- Display units for front of house food presentation
2018 to 2020: From single items to full fit outs
As the business grew, the work moved beyond single units and into complete kitchen support. Clients began asking for custom prep tables, servery counters, extractor canopies, shelving and racking, plus counter modifications that made older spaces more practical. CaterKraft answered by expanding fabrication around the way kitchens actually operate, not just the way a drawing looks on paper.
This period also brought more site measuring and more coordination with owners, chefs and contractors. A takeaway in Boksburg may need a compact gas line layout, while a school canteen in Germiston might need stronger storage and a better wash area. The workshop response had to suit each use, and the team started matching finishes, heights and service access more closely to each site.
- Custom sinks sized to the room and drainage points
- Mobile trolleys for service, prep and transport
- Display unit bases for bakeries and food counters
- Stainless recladding to refresh worn work areas
2021: A stronger team and more specialist work
By 2021 the business had a steadier structure behind it. Lerato Khumalo remained the central lead, with Ayesha Naidoo handling sales, Pieter van der Merwe supervising fabrication, Sibusiso Dlamini looking after service work and Megan Jacobs supporting customers through the day to day admin that keeps orders moving. That team made it easier to manage larger jobs and keep communication clear.
The branch and client base also widened across Benoni, Boksburg, Brakpan, Springs, Kempton Park and Germiston. The work in this phase included more extractor canopies, more shelving and racking, and more site specific modifications for takeaway counters and prep spaces. It was a practical shift: less guesswork, more fit for purpose detail. Small mistakes on the floor cost time, so each job had to be measured and checked proper before fabrication started.
2022 to 2024: Service, repairs and ongoing support
As equipment demands became more varied, CaterKraft placed more emphasis on service support alongside new fabrication. Kitchens often need more than a new item. They need a counter changed, a base adjusted, a canopy checked or a worn section replaced before it becomes a bigger problem. This approach helped customers keep trading while improving the workspace bit by bit rather than facing a full shutdown.
During these years the team also leaned into equipment that can handle load-shedding and busy service hours. Gas ranges remained important, and display units and bain maries were planned with practical power use and cleaning in mind. For operators in the East Rand, especially those with early morning prep or evening trade, reliability is not a nice extra, it is part of staying open.
- Counter modifications for changing kitchen layouts
- Extractor canopies for heat and smoke control
- Site measuring before fabrication and installation
- Repairs and adjustments to extend equipment life
Today: East Rand roots, national delivery
Today CaterKraft remains based in Benoni with a clear East Rand presence and national delivery across South Africa. The business continues from the earlier years on this domain, but it now serves a wider mix of kitchens, takeaways and food service spaces that need dependable stainless steel work. The same emphasis remains in place: accurate measuring, honest advice and equipment that fits the job instead of forcing the job to fit the equipment.
From the Benoni showroom to clients in Boksburg, Brakpan, Springs, Kempton Park and Germiston, the work is still grounded in local service. Lerato Khumalo leads the business with a team that knows how to handle custom prep tables, sinks, servery counters, shelving, display bases and more. The history of CaterKraft is really a history of consistency, and of building what local kitchens actually need, not what just looks neat on a page.
For sales enquiries, the team is available at sales@caterkraftsa.co.za.