So many companies throw the word “global” around and no, two continents and an island does not constitute global reach.
Why is being global important to us, on the most southern tip of Africa?
Xpanda produces physical barrier products for South Africa, large parts of Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States of America.
This means, the product that we use to secure the homes and business in South Africa has been tested in some of the biggest economies in the world and were proven to be effective in loss prevention circles across many international retail stores, commercial and industrial buildings, as well as residential properties.
Whilst recently in Canada, I visited a Cabela’s store owned by the Cabela’s Group. Cabela’s has 81 stores across Canada and is in essence, an Outdoor Warehouse type store. Retailing from fishing gear, to camping equipment and stoves, to hunting rifles and handguns. These stores were being targeted and burgled for several months. All the storefronts were kitted with Xpanda products, and the burglaries, and smash and grab attempts simply stopped. Not only is our product successful at physically frustrating and slowing criminals down, but the mere fact that it is bold, visible security barriers, has stopped these subjects from attempting to breach all together. There are many such stories, in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and of course right here at home in South Africa.
So, when you buy (or sell) a Xpanda, you not only buy (or sell) time, but you also buy hours and hours of global research in products that thwart crime and criminal methods. In addition, you also buy (or sell) global experience in best loss prevention practises.
Criminals across the world operate in similar fashion, its only the levels of violence that differ. We know this because we trade or have trade partners in all these international territories.
At Xpanda we are passionate about loss prevention, and looking at some of the other barriers on the market, one has to wonder why they take so many design and manufacturing shortcuts – yes, they might be quicker to make, perhaps even cheaper, but why would you waste time and money in producing a product, that will fail and fail quickly at that. Is that not a crime in itself?
Our products stand stronger for longer – Our products are built differently, properly anchored, with the right combination of metal and alloys, to ensure maximum time and resistance in the event of attempted breach.
I have seen barriers all over the world, that simply would not stand up to our methods of testing. But then again, there can only be one XPANDA.
Which of our competitors can say that?
Xpanda, Real security. It’s not a tagline; it is a promise!
– Jurie Botha, Managing Director
Looking for renovation ideas?
This centre offers a one stop showroom for ideas to renovate , build or decorate your home. At Xpanda we understand that security is not always part and parcel of interior design, however the Xpanda Range of products offer traditional and contemporary designs, from retractable security barriers, aluminium louvre security shutters as well as Alustyle aluminium shutters. At the Building Centre you will not only find great ideas, but it also gives renovators ideas on how to incorporate security with design and style in the modern home. All our competitors offer one style of security gate, whether it be double flight, S flight or single flight designs. Xpanda’s range incorporates many of these styles and options, truly giving the customer and interior decorator choice. Choice of design, choice of budget and choice of security level – Which of our competitors can say the same?
– Idris Goolam, Operations Manager – Cape Town
Xpanda Middelburg
Introduction
Xpanda Middelburg has quickly become the trusted brand in the Middelburg territory – specializing in security gates and roller shutter doors. Since its opening in 2022, Xpanda Middelburg in a short space of time, has become the go-to choice for residents and businesses seeking top-quality security solutions. Under the leadership of Andre Erasmus, Xpanda Middelburg continue to build a strong reputation for reliability and exceptional service.
Situated next to Middelburg Mall, the Branch was established to provide affordable and effective security solutions to local communities. Despite facing stiff competition from several other trellis door companies, Xpanda Middelburg stood out by offering personalized service, premium products, and building lasting customer relationships, especially driven by Amelia le Roux, whose excellent front office customer service skills, answering phone calls, providing quotes, and following up with customers have played a crucial role in the franchise’s success. The installation crew, Gert, Amos, Fanie and Frans, ensures that each product is installed seamlessly, offering customers peace of mind with every purchase.
– Wayne Lingard, Regional Manager
Product Feature – Xpanda Pro
What makes the Xpandor Pro unique Q&A session:
This is our flagship unit – it looks somewhat the same as most barriers out there, yet we have put thought and careful consideration into its design. Aesthetically, the lattice work boasts a double / single / double flight configuration – this is not only a differentiating feature but also gives the Xpandor a less cluttered look. In an instance where the gate is installed in a lounge or a seating area, the single row of middle flights allows a more unobstructed view of the outside.
Double upright design – in some cases an industry standard.
The double flights – these are anchored in the centre of each upright with a SS Semi-Tubular rivet, and slides in nylon capped slide guides on every single tube across three uprights, top and bottom – Not industry standard
A fully anchored flight, on every upright ensures additional strength – it makes the sum of the moving parts so much stronger. Yes, it costs more to make, and it takes longer to assemble, but we do this, because we realise that we are not simply selling the steel, nuts, and bolts here – it’s the value add that will make all the difference in a life and death situation. For the protected, every second counts, and similarly, for the criminal every second counts. We make sure we protect the one, whilst frustrating the other.
The single row is also anchored on every upright, and each tube has a slide guide inserted – we don’t have any floating flights – this means we don’t simply anchor flights to each other but rather anchor the flights to the uprights. Again, it costs more and takes longer. The sum of the parts means a formidable barrier, in fact should it not do what we said it will do, we will buy it back from you through our industry leading money back guarantee – It’s really a confidence thing.
No, most of our competitors use steel tracks. Our tests have shown, that the top and bottom tracks needs to be as pliable as possible – the more one attacks a singular point, the more concentrated the damage remains, where if one attacks a steel track, the strength of the material allows the damage to spread, exceeding the attacked area – the strength of the steel, ironically become the lever to breach.
We have been at it for 50 years, we have tested our products again, and again and again – we know how criminals think, we know what they use, and ultimately, we designed this product to offer the most possible resistance, based on real world data, and actual test results – clearly we are passionate about our customers safety!
Rust prevention is where it starts, maintaining and caring for your Xpanda product should never end.
We are often asked why one should utilise state of the art rust prevention systems, if the onusremains on the customer to regularly clean and maintain their Xpanda Product?
By nature, a well-designed retractable security barrier would utilise tubular designs, whilst the maintenance and care aspect ensure an aesthetically pleasing product, the importance of right pretreatment methods ensure structural strength, even where the eye cannot see. Often these products weather atmospheric conditions for many years, and the structural strength is eroded from the inside out. So, in the event of a criminal attack, the product is not structurally as strong as it should be, as erosion has taken place on the internal, often unseen parts, significantly weakening the designed structure.
Whilst the Xpanda Maintenance and Care programs ensures aesthetically pleasing products for many years, our pre-treatment regime also ensures a product that remains structurally as strong as it was engineered to be.
Xpanda pre-treat against corrosion, even where you can’t see it:
Our in-house metal pre-treatment plant has been a cornerstone of Xpanda’s success for over
50 years, delivering high-quality products to our valued customers.
Embracing Innovation and Improvement
Throughout its existence, our plant has stayed at the forefront of advancements in chemistry, currently utilizing a state-of-the-art calcium modified zinc phosphate process. This technology, predominantly used in the motor industry, enables us to produce corrosion-resistant products that have successfully passed the rigorous 1000-hour salt spray test.
Environmental Responsibility Green is in our DNA
Our well-trained staff maintains and services the plant, adhering to a cleaner production environment and dedicated to environmentally friendly policies. The effluent plant utilizes the latest chemistry, meeting local municipality requirements. Additionally, our borehole supports the treatment plants, ensuring a reliable water supply.
Assurance of Quality
Our customers can be rest assured that every precaution is taken to ensure the delivery of high-quality products. We remain committed to excellence, innovation, and sustainability, building on our 50-year legacy.
Ultimately our pre-treatment processes ensure paint adhesion with the best possible corrosion inhibitor technology applied, ensuring longevity of our range of steel and aluminium product.
Metals naturally corrode, and the oxidisation process can be accelerated with the right mix of atmospheric conditions. Xpanda Invests in the latest rust prevention technology, even if the product must be regularly cleaned and maintained to ensure a long lasting aesthetically pleasing finish, the pretreatment process will ensure that it remains fit for purpose for many years to come.
Is Zimbabwe now one of our safest northern neighbours?
Xpanda has been frustrating criminals for over 5 decades, and our footprint has steadily increased through our northern neighbour with SAFEGUARD,
About SAFEGUARD
Formed in 1972 Safeguard started as a guarding company, with a vision to provide a full range of security services throughout the country. Over the years, and through a process of organic growth and acquisition, the group has expanded to become the leading provider of security services and related products in Zimbabwe. The group has diverse local shareholding spearheaded by Andrew Mallon at the helm, as CEO since 1991. Safeguard consists of four main companies in the form of Safeguard Security, Alarms, Engineering, and Investigations. These companies have branches throughout the country.
The Xpanda range of products fits under the Safeguard Engineering umbrella.
“The vertical integration of the Xpanda product throughout the basket of services often assists in making the function of providing safety and security a little easier, as the product has proven to buy the homeowner, the business owner and our guards enough time to react” With transport being a real factor in lead times, especially across the northern borders, safeguard sub assembles several products in Zimbabwe – ensuring that they can echo the XPANDA brand ethos, that of providing real security products, really fast. Zimbabwe has over the years seen several socioeconomic challenges; Safeguard has managed to move from strength to strength in this challenging economic environment – perhaps Safeguard’s business model is as robust as Xpanda’s range of barriers.
Most Homes and Businesses Secured Nov 2024 to Jan 2025:
- Xpanda Gqeberha / Hitech Doors
- Xpanda Pro JHB Central
- Xpanda Pro Pretoria
- Xpanda Pro Cape Town
- Xpanda East London / Build-inn
- Xpanda Kimberley
- Xpanda Pro Durban North
- Xpanda Pietermaritzburg / GDS
- Xpanda Ballito
- Xpanda Rustenburg / Delkrie
South Africans are sleeping a little safer thanks to each and everyone’s effort. If you haven’t made the top ten list this time around, you need not worry, your contribution to your community’s safety is as important. We will develop this segment further in future.
*top ten by purchase value, inclusive of all products for the three-month period November 2024 to January 2025
40 years of service at Xpanda
What is 857 779 200 seconds – well, that’s the time Lakesh Sewpersad spent in the Xpanda Factory. This year, we celebrate Lakesh’s 40-year anniversary with Xpanda. I have only had the pleasure of working with Lakesh for 6 of those years, however, in those six years here are just a couple of things I learned about Mr Sewpersad:
Pressure indeed makes diamonds – no task is beneath Lakesh, if he needs to get his hands dirty, he will. He is first to arrive for duty, always as early at 4.45am – at this time of morning Lakesh checks on the nightshift production output, production planning, and makes sure that production has everything that they need. When containers are loaded, or orders are running late, you will find Lakesh in dispatch and or on the production floor, assisting his colleagues, sometimes long after production staff has left. Lakesh can remain calm when others are panicked, and can, when needed blow his top. Graciously, he balances what is humanly possible, with the expectations the sales teams sometimes create. Unless Lakesh is hospitalised, he is at work – this might be because of the amount of “Reboost” energy drinks he used to drink.
If 40 years represents 40 chapters, we just know this book is not completely written yet – we look forward to the next chapter, with Lakesh.
Q- How old were you when you started at Xpanda: I finished school in 1984 and started at Xpanda on the 20th of February in 1985. Those days, I had to walk, catch a lift, and then a bus to get to the factory – I guess this is why I am, to this day an early bird.
Q: What were you employed to do? I started as a machine operator, on the press, making burglar guards. I multiskilled quickly and learned how
to operate all the machines. This is an advantage today, as there is no process I can’t do, and or advise on how to do.
Q: What drives you to get up in the morning? I have a lot more I would like to accomplish, both at home and at work – so this drives me daily. 40 years
goes by in a flash. I have more to give, and I look forward to making a difference in future.
Q: We must ask – do you get to work that early, because you are scared someone will steal your parking? Laugh out loud – Yes, making sure my car door doesn’t get dinged is a priority. All the years of being at work early, from the walking and bus ride days has made me an early bird, and today that is part and parcel of my DNA, whether I have a parking or not.
Team Xpanda congratulates Lakesh Sewpersad on 40 years of uninterrupted service – Legendary!
Rising Star
Meet one of our rising stars – Rodwin John.
Rodwin is an operator on one of our lathe machines, manufactures RSD Gearboxes, and is known for his upbeat attitude, especially visible in his willingness to assist wherever he might be required.
Rodwin often exceeds his performance targets and goals, he is punctual, and has an exemplary attendance record. Rodwin is on a path of continuous learning and improving his skills.
Thank you Rodwin, we appreciate your effort – daily!
