Our Story
From our beginnings in 1973 as a machine moving company through to becoming South Africa’s leading heavy lift and specialist transport provider
– it’s been quite the journey.
It Takes A Team
The Vanguard team would like to thank everyone that works with us, supports us and trusts us to deliver and install their project cargo. We’re proud of our relationships, our partnerships, and our people; we look forward to continuing the next part of our journey together.

Expertise
Our specialist knowledge and skillset positions us as experts.

Solutions
Our technical capabilities and experience drives us to engineer industry leading solutions.

Results
Our unique equipment and creativity enables us to deliver results.
Complete Project Solutions
Vanguard are committed to providing a complete project solution, by supporting our clients as an
end-to-end solutions provider throughout the industry.
Our unique service offerings allow us to add value by combining each stage of our clients projects, to act as a single point of contact whilst delivering an efficient and cost effective service.

50 Years of Vanguard
We were extremely thrilled and grateful to celebrate 50 years of Vanguard in 2023. No matter which decade we look at, the business has always been driven by the hard work and dedication of our employees. By creating an environment where we support and encourage each other, we bring together a group of diverse people with a common goal. It’s the foundation of Vanguard, it’s who we are, and it’s something that we hope will leave a legacy for many years to come.
Looking back, we’ve been privileged to work in over 30 countries, we’ve been trusted to deliver cargo across countless borders and we’ve worked through some of the biggest highs and harshest lows that the market has delivered.
Through continuous investment and diversification, we’ve been fortunate to build the business into a company that has broken records and has won international awards.
Our History
1973
Vanguard established by Mike Woodward and Herbert Welp

1984
Philippe Tellier joins the Vanguard Group

1989
Vanguard relocates to the Cleveland Precinct

1991
Bryan Hodgkinson joins the Vanguard Group

1993
Bryan Hodgkinson and Philippe Tellier acquire Vanguard

1994
Vanguard acquires Computer Van

1995
The first issue of the Vanguardian is published

1997
Vanguard acquires its first heavy lift hydraulic gantry lift system

1998
Vanguard completes the heavy lift works at the Mombasa Diesel Project in Kenya – the biggest heavy lift project ever awarded to a South African company at the time

1999
Vanguard launches Vanguard Mechanical Services

2000
Vanguard installs and commissions the first automated press line in South Africa

2001
Hitachi Plant Construction Ltd., Japan, award Vanguard the Hitachi Business Partner prize of the year. Awarded for their contribution to the turnkey installation of the Zentima Cold Rolled Mill at Columbus Stainless Steel

2003
Vanguard acquires it first set of strand jacks and completes the highest non-crane-assisted heavy lift in Africa

2008
Vanguard wins the SC & RA Rigging Job of the Year Award

2009
Grindrod acquires 50% of Vanguard

2010
Relocation of a 2 500-ton press from Chicago, Illinois, Vanguard’s first job in the USA

2013
Vanguard installs the first operational windfarm in South Africa on a transport, cranage & installation (TCI) basis at the Metrowind Van Stadens Wind Farm

2014
Vanguard accomplishes its first heavy lift over 1,000–tons by lifting a stockpile conveyor to 90 metres while in one piece

2016
In a complete buyout, the original shareholders re-acquire Grindrod’s shares and return to the Board of Directors

2018
In a strategic agreement of cooperation signed with French/European company OCTRA, Vanguard expanded its international presence to include a base in Paris, France

2020
Vanguard opens a Projects Office in Mauritius

2021
Vanguard North opens in Silverton South Africa

Projects
We pride ourselves on consistently delivering successful projects for our clients, so we wanted to demonstrate some of our most recent projects.