Bolt and Engineering ‘a

The Bolt and Engineering (B.E.D.) Group was proud to exhibit once again at Grain SA's annual NAMPO Harvest Day from 16 to 19 May, marking its 31st year as a NAMPO exhibitor. This year's stand was the biggest ever, and in addition, B.E.D. was able to offer real support to its chosen corporate social investment (CSI) partner, Cancer.vive.

B.E.D. CEO Mike Giltrow clarifies: "At NAMPO, our focus is always on agriculture and the farming community, and we set out to improve our offering each year. We have something for everyone: from the workshop tools, lifting equipment, and welding and cutting tools, to gadgets for the youngsters and craft tools for the ladies.

"We were pleased to showcase some of our preferred brands this year, including Kennedy hand tools, Metabo, Giant lifting, Bosch Professional, Tork Craft, Fronius, Gys Welding and Hypertherm, as well as locally manufactured genuine buffalo-hide leather boots and accessories."

A heart-warming drawcard at this year's B.E.D. stand came from its longstanding partnership with the Cancer.vive group. Giltrow notes: "This dynamic cancer awareness and education project has been part of our focused CSI planned campaigns since 2019. At this year's NAMPO, we donated a cheque to the value of R10 000, as well as a KENGIRL 77-piece pink toolbox. This was then auctioned to raise more funds."

The KENGIRL pink toolbox is distributed by B.E.D. and is targeted at women; and similarly a KENGUY toolbox in a primary blue colour aimed at men. They are produced by Cromwell, and are suited for the DIY enthusiast.

Giltrow adds: "Because Cancer.vive focuses on what it calls the ‘shy cancers’ – including breast and testicular cancer – we thought it would be useful to make these specialised pink and blue toolboxes available to both the industrial and retail sectors. The pink toolbox also ties in with B.E.D.'s growing focus on personal and protective equipment (PPE) for women."

The KENGIRL toolbox donated by B.E.D. was raffled by Cancer.vive at an evening fund-raising event, and raised an impressive R65,000.

Giltrow tells the story: "Bsure Brokers bid R27,000 to Cancer.vive at the KENGIRL Toolbox auction – and then gave it back! This ensured another bid of R33,000 by Motus Parts, who also gave it back. In the end, the total raised was R65,000 – an extraordinary act of generosity from all parties. "

B.E.D. further supports the Cancer.vive toolbox initiative by having available stock of these unique toolboxes year-round, at each of its 9 branches country-wide.

Giltrow concludes: "The atmosphere at this year's NAMPO was electric – really buzzing – and the show featured all the great traditions which make us so ‘proudly South African’ as a nation. I would like to thank everyone who came to visit our stand, including our partners, suppliers and valuable customers, as well as B.E.D. employees. We value their support and are looking forward to another record-breaking NAMPO 2024!"