Two employees, one bold decision: The story behind Tensile Rubber Hoses
Sometimes the biggest business success stories begin with people who simply know their craft better than anyone else.
For Wayne Da Costa and Gideon Monyelekgau, that journey started on the factory floor of Tensile Rubber Hoses in Rosslyn, Gauteng.
Long before they became business partners, they spent years learning every aspect of the company.
Wayne worked his way up to managing the operation, while Gideon’s journey began in the garden before moving into production, studying further and eventually leading product development and quality.
Then came an opportunity that few employees ever receive.
When the previous owner decided to sell the business in 2014, Wayne and Gideon made a life-changing decision.
They invested their pension savings and became equal owners of the company they had helped build.
Today, Tensile Rubber Hoses manufactures shaped and customised rubber hoses that keep vehicles, generators, mining equipment and industrial machinery operating across South Africa.
Their products carry coolant, fuel, oil and hot water through applications where reliability is critical.
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One of the company’s strengths is its ability to manufacture specialised hoses locally, producing shorter production runs that help customers avoid lengthy import lead times and excessive stockholding.
That flexibility has become increasingly valuable for industries that rely on fast turnaround times and dependable supply.
Looking back, Wayne says one of the biggest lessons has been the importance of staying connected to the customer.
While distributors remain an important part of the business, the team learnt that relying on a single route to market can leave even a capable manufacturer vulnerable.
Building direct relationships with the people who buy, specify and use your products creates stronger businesses and more opportunities for sustainable growth.
It is a lesson that extends well beyond manufacturing.
Great products and technical expertise provide the foundation, but lasting businesses are built by understanding customers, responding to their needs and continually strengthening those relationships.
As South Africa continues to invest in local manufacturing capability, businesses like Tensile Rubber Hoses demonstrate the value of skilled craftsmanship, entrepreneurial determination and the confidence to back yourself when opportunity comes knocking.
This Future50 feature was presented by Pavlo Phitidis from Aurik and powered by FNB Business.
For more stories of Future50 businesses, or to nominate your business, head here.
