2011: a Pretoria catering supplier begins
Afchain Catering Equipment began trading in 2011 from Pretoria with a simple focus, supply the equipment kitchens actually use every day and keep the process practical. The first catalogue carried fryers, toasters, mixers, microwaves, chafing dishes and used equipment, aimed at restaurants, school kitchens, takeaways and small caterers that needed value without losing out on service.
From the start the work was hands on. Quotes were prepared for operators in Pretoria Central, Centurion and the surrounding Gauteng areas, and the business built its name on straight answers about lead times, power needs and fitting equipment into real kitchens, not just ideal ones.
- Online catalogue with core catering equipment lines
- Used equipment options for tighter budgets
- Quote support for new kitchens and replacements
- Local service for Pretoria and nearby suburbs
2012 to 2014: the early service years
As orders grew, the business moved beyond supply into proper support after delivery. Customers needed help with positioning, setup and practical handover training, especially where new staff had to learn the equipment quickly. In those years the team also started dealing with more urgent breakdown calls, because a fryer down on a Friday can stop a whole service.
The Silverton base made it easier to work across Pretoria, but the daily route often stretched to Midrand, Randburg, Boksburg and Kempton Park. Delivery and positioning became part of the normal process, along with advice on electrical load, ventilation and counter space. In some kitchens there was also a need to reconfigure the layout slightly so that the equipment could fit and run safely, which saved clients time and a few avoidable headaches.
- Delivery and positioning added to the service offering
- Preventive servicing started to reduce breakdowns
- Handover training became part of new equipment supply
- Work extended into more Gauteng commercial kitchen sites
2015 to 2017: workshop capability grows
By this stage the business had developed stronger workshop support, which changed the way used equipment and repaired units were handled. Instead of simply moving equipment on, there was now a proper process for checking, refurbishing and testing items before they were sent out again. That mattered to buyers who needed dependable kit at a fair price, especially when setting up a kitchen on a tight budget.
The workshop also created a better link between sales and service. If a client needed a quote on a replacement mixer, fryer basket, toaster or microwave, the team could advise whether repair, refurbishment or sourcing a used unit made more sense. This practical approach kept Afchain useful to both new businesses and established kitchens that wanted to stretch their Rand a bit further.
- Used equipment sourcing became more structured
- Workshop refurbishment supported resale and repairs
- Testing and preparation improved before dispatch
- Clients received clearer advice on repair versus replace
2018 to 2020: broader Gauteng support and stronger coordination
As the customer base widened, the business needed clearer coordination between sales, quotes, repairs and site work. That period saw a more defined team structure come together, with responsibilities split so that enquiries, sourcing and workshop work could be handled properly. It also meant quicker response times when clients needed quotations for multiple items or a full kitchen setup.
The operation was working across Pretoria Central, Centurion, Midrand, Kempton Park, Boksburg and Randburg more regularly by then. Municipal and building requirements often had to be considered, especially where a site needed a specific installation layout or where drainage, grease management or power capacity needed attention. Catering operators did not want surprises, so the focus stayed on getting the details right from the start.
Load-shedding also became a real part of planning for many kitchens. Clients wanted equipment that could cope with interrupted power, sensible changeover planning and servicing that kept units running as well as possible under pressure. That kind of day to day support became part of the Afchain name.
2021 to 2023: a settled team and clearer service lines
With the business continuing from the earlier years on this domain, the next phase was about maturity and consistency. The team structure became clearer, with Mpho Sekgobela leading as Managing Director and a group of specialists handling sales, quotes, service coordination, installations and workshop work. That made it easier to respond to different kinds of clients, from single-site kitchens to operators opening several outlets.
By now the service list had become more defined too. Customers could ask for equipment quotes, site assessments, preventive servicing, breakdown repairs, workshop refurbishment, used equipment sourcing, handover training and kitchen reconfiguration. For a busy operator, having those services under one roof reduced delays and kept communication simple, which matters when a kitchen is under pressure.
- Managing Director: Mpho Sekgobela
- Sales, quotes and procurement handled through a dedicated team
- Installation and workshop work supported from Silverton
- Service support expanded for repeat and referral clients
2024 to today: continuing the original trade, locally grounded
Today Afchain Catering Equipment continues the same practical trade that started in 2011, but with broader experience and a stronger service base. The business still focuses on fryers, toasters, mixers, microwaves, chafing dishes and used equipment, while also helping clients with quotes, servicing and site-ready installations. The aim remains straightforward, match the right equipment to the right kitchen and keep it working.
From Silverton, Pretoria, the team supports customers across the city and surrounding Gauteng areas, including Pretoria Central, Centurion, Midrand, Kempton Park, Boksburg and Randburg. In a region where humidity can affect stored equipment, power interruptions can slow production and service windows are tight, the value of a dependable supplier is hard to overstate. Afchain has stayed close to the day to day needs of catering operators, and that is what has carried the business forward.
For quotes, servicing or sourcing, customers still use quotes@afchain.co.za, and the business continues to serve as a local point of contact for kitchens that need proper follow through, not just a sale.