PROJECT CARGO
TRANSPORT
HEAVY LIFT
INSTALLATION
Relocating 800-ton Mine Shovel
A SHOVEL A DAY
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PROJECT CARGO
Onsite Specialised Lifting & Rigging
HEAVY LIFT
Specialised Transport
TRANSPORT
Project Solutions
PROJECTS
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VANGUARD

Vanguard is an international, specialised heavy lift installation company. Established as a private company in 1974, our focus is on providing our clients with complete installation solutions. Across a multitude of service offerings, Vanguard takes great pride in partnering with our clients and sharing in the outcome of each and every project. From the initial inception of a project, Vanguard’s involvement includes the management of every individual stage of the process, ensuring the provision of a complete solution and peace of mind to every client we work with.

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1974
1973

Vanguard established by Mike Woodward and Herbert Welp

1984

1984

Philippe Tellier joins the Vanguard Group

1989

1989

Vanguard relocates to the Cleveland Precinct

1991

1991

Bryan Hodgkinson joins the Vanguard Group

1993

1993

Bryan Hodgkinson and Philippe Tellier acquire Vanguard

1994

1994

Vanguard acquires Computer Van

1995

1995

The first issue of the Vanguardian is published

1997

1997

Vanguard acquires its first heavy lift hydraulic gantry lift system

1998

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

1999

Vanguard launches Vanguard Mechanical Services

2000

2000

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

2001

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

2003

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

2008

2008

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

2009

2009

Grindrod acquires 50% of Vanguard

2010

2010

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

2013

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

2014

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

2016

2016

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

2018

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

2020

Vanguard opens a Projects Office in Mauritius

2021

2021

Vanguard North opens in Silverton South Africa

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Our biggest investment has always been our people. By creating an environment where we support and encourage each other, we bring together a group of diverse people with a common goal. This is the foundation of Vanguard; it’s who we are.

WHERE ARE WE

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Engineering

Vanguard provides a lifting, transporting, moving and installation service to the heavy industry and infrastructure markets.

 

Our dedicated in-house design and engineering department specializes in engineering bespoke solutions to complex plant installation or industrial heavy lift application.

 

Our team combines experience, innovation and state-of-the-art design technologies and equipment to optimize the efficiency, cost-effectiveness and safety of each stage of your heavy lifting or plant installation project.

 

Innovation, certification and quality control is at the heart of all our engineered designs.

SHEQ

The health and safety of our staff is core to our business and the culture we have established at Vanguard over the past 50 years.

Vanguard ensures the safety of all personnel through our commitment to best practice in safety, health, environmental and quality (SHEQ) management. We are compliant with all local, national and international laws, regulations and standards applicable to our business.

Through detailed lifting, rigging, transporting, jacking and skidding engineering studies, we constantly identify and assess potential safety, health and environmental risks, implementing effective controls to prevent and mitigate possible consequences.

Backed by the most comprehensive insurance policies available in South Africa, you are in safe hands with us!