History of Knights Foundry

Although the Van der Walt family has been associated with the foundry industry since the 1960s, it was in the year 2005 that the company poured its first casting. The first-generation brothers Koos, Johann, and Jan Van der Walt have always been a close-knit union when it came to business, and this strong bond has continued through to Johann’s sons, Vincent and Cobus, and son-in-law Louis Miller.

At the age of 76, Johann remained an integral part of the business, producing new handcrafted patterns daily. Koos passed away in 2000, Jan retired in 2008, and Johann sadly passed away in 2021, leaving the second generation to run the company.

Johan Van der Walt the Knights Foundry Legend!

Family Business

The Van der Walt family’s involvement in Knights Foundry spans multiple generations. The younger generation of Vincent, brother Cobus, sister Belinda, and brother-in-law Louis Miller continues to maintain the company’s rich legacy. Letitia, wife and mother, has been the backbone of the administrative side since its inception.

Foundry Expansion

In recent years, the foundry has expanded significantly. Knights Foundry invested R4.5 million in a greenfield second foundry in Wadeville, marking an important milestone in its continued growth.

Modernising Operations

The expansion strengthened melting, moulding and finishing on one site, so the foundry could support higher volumes with tighter process control for local and export work.

Quality, Safety and Environmental Certification

As production capacity grew, Knights Foundry strengthened its management systems to support consistent quality for local and international customers.

ISO Certifications

The company has implemented ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 certifications. These affirm its commitment to quality management, occupational health and safety, and environmental responsibility.