5b.Brink Brothers – Part 2
Updated: 06/05/2025
This story, in three parts, looks at the Brink Brothers business empire. This second part contains excerpts from the company’s 1952 Golden Jubilee publication.
Note: The Following document: Brink Brothers Golden Jubliee 1902 – 1952 is in both Afrikaans and English
The golden jubilee of Brink Brothers Ltd of Montagu 1902-1952
GEORGE
EUVRARD BRINK
— Die besielende krag agter die merkwaar- dige vooruitgang van BRINK BROERS gedurende die afgelope tien jaar.
– The inspiring power behind the remarkable progress of BRINK BROTHERS over the past ten years
Mnr. George Euvrard Brink Besturende Direkteur en voorsitter van BRINK BROERS BPK., is ‘n seun van Montagu. Hy is alhier gebore op 1 September 1898. Nadat hy sy skoolopleiding plaaslik voltooi het, het hy na die ou Victoria-Kollege te Stellenbosch gegaan waar hy die Intermediere B.A.-kursus voltooi het en terselfdertyd ’n private handelskursus onder mnr. P. K. de Villiers deurloop het.
Op 7 Januarie 1918 het hy begin werk op Montagu in die handelsaak BRINK BROERS wat die eiendom was van sy vader en oom. Netsoos die ander klerke moes hy ook maar heel onder begin, eers as gewone klerk en daarna as afleweringsklerk in die drankstoor teen ’n salaris van £7 10/- per maand.
Maar George Brink was nie bestem om klerk te bly nie. Weldra sou meer verantwoordelike werk aan hom toevertrou word en sou hy wys waartoe hy bekwaam was.
Aan die begin van 1919 is hy benoem tot Sekretaris van die pasgestigte BRINK BROERS BPK., in watter hoedanigheid hy tot 1943 gedien het, waarna hy tot 1945 as medebestuurder ageer het. In 1945 is hy as algemene bestuurder aangestel en in 1947 as Besturende Direkteur. In hierdie hoedanigheid dien hy met groot bekwaamheid en hoe onderskeiding. Hy is inderdaad die besielende krag agter al die snelle uitbreidinge van die afgelope jare; ’n sakeman van groot formaat en met ’n heldere visie. Hy is ’n waardige opvolger van sy vader en oom. Hy het handels tradisie en ’n atmosfeer van sy eie in BRINK BROERS ingedra.
Benewens sy groot verantwoordelikheid in BRINK BROERS BPK., dien hy ook nog op die direksies van etlike ander maatskappye soos: Die Montagu Eksekuteurs kamer Bpk.; Cape Lime Company Ltd.; Droevrugte Pakkers Bpk.; Brink Broers (Beleggings) Bpk.; Boland Pakkers Korporasie; Nywerkor Bpk.; Bestu¬rende Direkteur van Hotel Avalon (Montagu) Bpk.; Direkteur van G. E. Brink en Kie. (Eiendoms)
Mr. George Euvrard Brink Managing Director and Chairman of BRINK BROERS LTD., is a son of Montagu. He was born here on September 1, 1898. After completing his schooling locally, he went to the old Victoria College in Stellenbosch where he completed the Intermediate B.A. course and at the same time went through a private trade course under Mr. P. K. de Villiers.
On January 7, 1918, he began working in Montagu at the BRINK BROTHERS business which was owned by his father and uncle. Like the other clerks, he had to start at the very bottom, first as a regular clerk and then as a delivery clerk in the liquor store at a salary of £ 7 10 / – per month.
George Brink was not destined to remain a clerk. Soon, more responsible work was entrusted to him and he showed what he was capable of.
At the beginning of 1919 he was appointed Secretary of the newly formed BRINK BROERS LTD., In which capacity he served until 1943, after which he served as co-manager until 1945. In 1945 he was appointed general manager and in 1947 as Managing Director. In this capacity he serves with great ability and high distinction. He is indeed the inspiring force behind all the rapid expansions of recent years. He is a big picture businessman, with a clear vision. He is a worthy successor to his father and uncle. He brought commercial tradition and an atmosphere of his own into BRINK BROERS.
In addition to his great responsibility in BRINK BROERS LTD., he also serves on the boards of several other companies such as: The Montagu Executors Chamber Ltd .; Cape Lime Company Ltd.; Dried Fruit Packers Ltd .; Brink Brothers (Investments) Ltd .; Boland Packers Corporation; Nywerkor Ltd .; Managing Director of Hotel Avalon (Montagu) Ltd .; Director of G. E. Brink and Co. (Property)
Hoewel die ekonomiese vooruitsigte van die Unie teen die einde van die Anglo- Boere-oorlog ietwat onseker was, het Pieter Albertus Brink en Johannes Jacobus Brink nietemin die hand dadelik aan die ploeg geslaan. In Mei 1902 is ’n begin gemaak met die oprigting van ‘n klein algemene handelsaak in ‘n gehuurde gebou op die hoek van Du Toit- en Badstrate te Montagu.
Nooit het hierdie twee baanbrekers kon droom dat hierdie klein sake-onderneming binne vyftig jaar daarna ‘n omset van byna £¾ miljoen sou bereik, aan 400 persone werk sou verskaf en met nie minder dan elf lande, die Unie ingesluit handel sou beoefen nie.
Van ‘n beskeie begin, het Brink Broers te Montagu gegroei tot die boer se „Ko- operasie”, die publiek se geliefkoosde inkoopsplek en ‘n spens vir die handel. Voorskotte ter waarde van £80,000 word jaarliks aan die plaaslike boeregemeenskap voorgeskiet. Hoewel dit begin is as ’n familie-saak, het dit geleidelik al meet en meer ʼn Uniale karakter aangeneem, sodat sy vlerke vandag veel wyer as die familiekring strek.
Brink Broers is die eerste Afrikaanse handelsaak wat ook die fabrieksterrein met groot sukses betree het. Dit is die fabrikante van die B.B.-ingemaakte vrugte en konfyte, die B.B.-gedroogte vrugte en die B.B.-wyne en Brandewyne. Raredew en Sir Montagu is van sy ander bekende handelsmerke. Dit is seker nie sonder beteke- nis dat die jong inmaakfabriek van Brink Broers die eerste in die Unie was om die kwaliteitsmerk van die Suid-Afrikaanse Buro vir Standaarde (S.A.B.S.) te verower nie.
Die eer vir hierdie sukses kom grootliks toe aan die publiek, die boeregemeenskap en die handel vir hul getroue ondersteuning, die stigters en Raad van Direkteure vir hulle wyse leiding en die werknemers vir hul lojale en geesdriftige medewerking. Hoeveel Afrikaanse besighede is daar vandag wat soos Brink Broers daarin kan roem, dat nie minder as sewe van hulle huidige werknemers twintig jaar en longer diens by dieselfde maatskappy agter die rug het nie ?
Brink Broers Beperk vier op 1 Mei vanjaar sy Goue Jubileum. Dit val in dieselfde jaar as die Van Riebeeckfees — die herdenking van die driehonderdjarige bestaan van Suid-Afrika.
Suid-Afrika sowel as Brink Broers Beperk het alle rede om die toekoms met groot vertroue binne te gaan\
My hartlike dank aan dr. A. J. Visser, van Johannesburg,wat op versoek ’n leidende aandeel in die samestelling van hierdie brosjure gehad het. Ook al die ander wat meegehelp het, wens ek van harte te bedank.
HIERDIE BROSJURE GEE AAN U ’N BLIK IN ONS VERLEDE, ’N BEELD VAN DIE HEDE EN ’N PATROON VAN ONS TOEKOMS.
Voorsitter en Besturende Direkteur Brink Broers Beperk
THE BRINK BROTHERS RUBBED SHOULDERS WITH MANY CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY IN THE COUNTRY
Where we come from…. 1902
Although the economic prospects of the Union were somewhat uncertain by the end of the Anglo-Boer War, Pieter Albertus Brink and Johannes Jacobus Brink nevertheless immediately put their hands to the plough. In May 1902, a small general business was started in a rented building on the corner of Du Toit and Bath streets in Montagu.
Never did these two pioneers dream that this small business would achieve a turnover of almost £¾ million within fifty years employ 400 people, and trade with the Union and no less than eleven countries.
From a modest start, BRINK BROTHERS in Montagu has grown into the farmer’s “Co-operative”, the public’s favorite shopping spot and a pantry for trade. Advances worth £ 80,000 are made annually to the local farming community. Although it was started as a family affair, it gradually became more and more of a Union character, so that its wings extend far beyond the family circle today.
Where we are…. 1952
BRINK BROTHERS is the first Afrikaans business to enter the manufacturing industry with great success. The B.B. included manufacturers of the canned fruits and jams, the B.B. dried fruits and the B.B. wines and Brandies. Raredew and Sir Montagu are some of their well-known brands. It is certainly significant that the young canning factory of BRINK BROTHERS was the first in the Union to win the quality mark of the South African Bureau of Standards (S.A.B.S.).
The reason for this success is largely due to the public, the farming community and the industry, for their support, the founders and Board of Directors for their wise guidance and the employees for their loyal and enthusiastic co-operation. How many Afrikaans businesses are there today that, like BRINK BROTHERS, can boast that no less than seven of their current employees have been employed by the same company for twenty years and longer?
Where are we going….
BRINK BROTHERS LIMITED is celebrating its Golden Jubilee on May 1 this year. It falls in the same year as the Van Riebeeck Festival – the commemoration of the three hundred-year existence of South Africa.
South Africa as well as BRINK BROTHERS LIMITED have every reason to enter the future with great confidence.
My heartfelt thanks to Dr. A. J. Visser, of Johannesburg, who played leading role in compiling this brochure. I would also like to thank all the others who helped.
THIS BROCHURE GIVES YOU A VIEW INTO OUR PAST, A PICTURE OF THE PRESENT AND A VIEW OF OUR FUTURE.
DIE KONTANTWINKEL EN DROEVRUGTESTOOR HV KOHLER EN BAD STRAAT
Die oorspronklike gebou van 1902 wat slegs uit ’n paar vertrekke bestaan het, is in 1937 vergroot en herbou. Tans word dit as die kontantwinkel gebruik. Sommer uit die staanspoor is ’n groot verskeidenheid van verbruiksgoedere en eetware verkoop. Dit was egter aartappels waarin ’n belangrike handel gedoen is. Groot hoeveelhede is van die plaaslike boere opgekoop en na verskillende dele 1 in die land versend. Dit was dan ook die belangrikheid van die aartappelhandel wat daartoe aanleiding gegee het dat „Potato” die telegrafiese adres van di? maatskappy geword het wat vandag nog in gebruik is.
Omdat Montagu met sy Karoo-klimaat een van die uitstaande vrugte-areas van die Unie is, was dit vanselfsprekend dat die vrugte-handel ’n vername plek in Brink Broers se handelsbedrywighede sou inneem. Van ingemaakte vrugte was daar destyds nog geen sprake nie, maar die droevrugte-handel waarmee op die tweede dag na die stigting ’n aanvang gemaak is, het al meer en meer van belang geword. Eers is sulke droevrugte direk aan die groothandeiaars verkoop. Na die Eerste Wereldoorlog egter, is ’n begin gemaak om droevrugte direk sowel as deur die pos aan die publiek te verkoop. Vandag is die B.B.- en Klipspringer-handels- merke van die firma oor die hele land bekend.
The Cash Store
The original building of 1902, which consisted of only a few rooms, was enlarged and rebuilt in 1937. Currently it is used as the cash store. From the outset, a large variety of consumables and food items were sold. However, it was potatoes in which an important trade was made. Large quantities were bought from the local farmers and shipped to various parts of the country. It was therefore the importance of the potato trade that led to “Potato” the telegraphic address of the company that is still in use today.
Dried Fruit
Montagu, with its Karoo climate, is one of the outstanding fruit growing areas of the Union, it was self-evident that the fruit trade would play a major role in BRINK BROTHERS’ trading activities. There was no mention of canned fruit at the time, but the dried fruit trade that started on the second day after its founding became more and more important. The first, dried fruit was sold directly to the wholesalers. After the First World War a concerted effort was made to market dried fruit both directly and via mail order. Today BB and their label Klipspringer are recognised through the country.
Die huidige direksie is soos volg saamgestel:—
MNRE. G. E. Brink (voorsitter en besturende direkteur),
J. J. Brink,
D. C. Brink,
J. J. Hauptfleisch,
S. R. Hofmeyr,
G. C. Knipe en
C. H Brink
Pieter Albertus Groenewald Brink
Founder
Medestigter
Mnr. Pieter Albertus Groenewald Brink, medestigter en grondleer van BRINK BROERS BPK., is in Swellendam gebore, maar het sy jeug- en skooljare op Montagu deurgebring. Nadat hy die matrikulasie-eksamen afgele het, is hy na die ou Normaalkollege in Kaapstad waar hy horn vir die onderwysberoep gaan bekwaam het. Daarna het hy na die Vrystaat gegaan waar hy etlike jare onderwys gegee het in die distrik van Edenburg. Kort voor die uitbreek van die Engelse oorlog het hy teruggekom na Montagu om te kom trou, maar nog voordat hy weer kon teruggaan, het die oorlogsvlamme uitgeslaan en is sy lewensloop in ’n ander rigting gestuur.
Begaafd met ’n helder verstand en ’n aanleg vir besigheid het hy nou daartoe oorgegaan om op die Sendingstasie Saron ’n winkel, ’n bakkery en ’n slaghuis te koop en horn heelhartig aan die handel gewy. Eerlank het hy sy broer Ernest uit die Paarl ook na Saron laat kom om hom behulpsaam te wees. Sake het dadelik gevlot en vooruitgang kon geboekstaaf word. Later het hy sy broer mnr. Johannes Jacobus Brink van Montagu as vennoot ingeneem in sy besigheid en het die nouer besigheidsamewerking begin wat so vrugbaar was vir die stiging en opbouing van die latere handelsaak in Montagu, wat hul in Mei 1902 begin het. Vanaf die begin was die samewerking tussen die twee broers van die hartlikste; waar mnr. Johannes Brink die groter en langer praktiese besigheidservaring gehad het, daar was mnr. Pieter Brink weer die man wat die kantoorwerk met groot bekwaamheid behartig het. Harde werk, spaarsaam lewe en ’n versigtige geldelike beleid was vanaf die begin hul strewe. Dat hul hierin pragtig geslaag het, getuig die verdere ontwikkeling van hul handelsaak maar te duidelik, Dat mnr. Pieter Brink nie alleen ’n knap sakeman was nie maar ook ’n man met ’n wye belangstelling in openbare aangeleenthede word bewys deur die aandeel wat hy geneem het in sake rakende die vooruitgang van die dorp. Hy was jare- lank Burgemeester van Montagu en het groot en onbaatsugtige dienste in hierdie verband gelewer. Nadat hul handelsaak in 1919 omgeskep is in die Maatskappy BRINK BROERS BPK., het hy hom aan aktiewe besigheid alhier onttrek en in Kaap¬stad gaan woon, alwaar hy o.a. op die direksie van Sanlam gaan dien het. Hy was direkteur van BRINK BROERS tot sy dood in Julie 1947.
Mr. Pieter Albertus Groenewald Brink, co-founder and founder of BRINK BROTHERS LTD., was born in Swellendam, but spent his youth and school years in Montagu. After completing the matriculating, he went to the old Normal College in Cape Town where he qualified as a teacher. He then went to the Free State where he taught for several years in the district of Edenburg. Shortly before the outbreak of the Boer war, he returned to Montagu to get married, but even before he could go back, the war broke out and his life course was sent in a different direction.
Gifted with a clear mind and an aptitude for business, he went on to buy a shop, a bakery and a butchery at the Saron Mission Station and devoted himself wholeheartedly. For a long time he also sent his brother Ernest from Paarl to Saron to help him. Business immediately picked up and progress could be recorded. Later he welcomed his brother Mr. Johannes Jacobus Brink of Montagu as a business partner and began the cooperation which was so instrumental in the founding and building of the Montagu business, which began in May 1902. From the beginning, the cooperation between the two brothers was most cordial. Mr. Johannes Brink was more experienced in business practice, while Mr. Pieter Brink was a very competent administrative worker. Hard work, frugal living and a careful fiscal management was their policy from the beginning. That they have succeeded in this is clearly evident in the development of their business. Pieter Brink was not only a handsome businessman but also a man with a wide interest in public affairs evidenced by the role he has played in matters relating to the progress of the town. He was Mayor of Montagu for many years and provided great and selfless services in this regard. After their trading business was transformed into the BRINK BROTHERS LTD Company in 1919, he withdrew from active business here and went to live in Cape Town, where he served, among other things on the Sanlam board. He was director of BRINK BROTHERS until his death in July 1947.
JOHANNES JAKOBUS BRINK
— die medestigter/founder.
Mnr. Johannes Jacobus Brink en sy broer wyle mnr. Pieter Brink was die stigters en grondleers van die firma Brink Broers Bpk., en wel in die jaar 1902 net na die Engelse oorlog. Die groot behoefte aan voedsel en lewensmiddele in die Vrystaat en Transvaal destyds na die oorlog was aanleiding daartoe dat hul op aansienlike skaal begin koring, aartappels en eiers opkoop het en na die noordelike provinsies gestuur het. Hiermee het hul goed gedoen en die pas begonne beskeie saak ’n goeie stoot vorentoe gegee. Interessant is dit om te weet dat die huidige groot en bloeiende Afrikaner-saak sy begin gehad het in ’n paar vertrekke waar vandag die groot gebou van die kontantwinkel staan. Toe die twee broers Brink besluit het om hul eie besigheid alhier te begin, het hul daardie paar vertrekke gehuur, — waarin voorheende ’n sekere mnr. Champion besigheid gedoen is, maar misluk het — vir vyf jaar van die eienaars mnre. Brown en Eyssen van Touwsrivier. Later het hul dit gekoop.
Nie lank hierna nie het hul aan die bokant van die straat waar die hoofwinkel vandag sstaan,‘n groot dubbelverdieping-huis aangekoop waarin mnr. Pieter Brink toe gaan woon het maar wat tog bestemd was om te word die fondament vir wat daar vandag staan.
Mnr. Johannes Jacobus Brink is gebore in Swellendam en het sy skoolopleiding te Swellendam en Montagu ontvang. Op 16-jarige leeftyd het hy begin werk in die winkel van mnr. Michael Barry in Barrystraat waar hy al gou blyke gelewer het van sy werkywer en besigheidsin. Later was hy vir ’n rukkie werksaam op Robertson in die besigheid van mnr. George Barry. Daarna is hy na die Transvaal waar hy vir etlike jare voortreflike werk gedoen het in die firma „Store Brothers” te Middelburg. Intussen is die liefdeslewe nie afgeskeep nie en toe daar weer van hom gehoor word, was hy verloof aan mej. Annie Euvrard van Montagu en ook nie lank daarna nie of hy was weer op Montagu en wel in diens by die vader van mnr. P. J. Joubert teen ’n salaris van £10 per maand. Nadat hy vir byna 10 jaar onder mnr. Joubert gewerk het, het hy op sy eie gegaan en self begin produkte opkoop en weer verkoop teen ’n kommissie-basis aan Barry’s.
Mr. Johannes Jacobus Brink and his brother the late Mr. Pieter Brink were the co-founders of the firm BRINK BROTHERS LTD., in the year 1902 just after the Boer war. There was a great need for food in the Free State and the Transvaal after the war. This was the reason that they began to buy wheat, potatoes and eggs on a large scale and sent them to the north. They did well and this gave the newly started business a kick start. It is interesting to know that the current big and prosperous Afrikaner business had its beginnings in a few rooms where today the large building of the cash shop stands. When the two brothers Brink decided to start their own business, they rented out those few rooms (in which a certain Mr. Champion had done business but failed) for five years from the owners Messrs. Brown and Eyssen from Touws River. Later they bought it.
Not long after this, they bought a large double storey house at the top of Kohler Street where the main store is today. Pieter Brink went to live there but it was destined to become the foundation for what stands today.
Mr. Johannes Jacobus Brink was born in Swellendam and received his education at Swellendam and Montagu. At the age of 16, he started working in the shop of Mr. Michael Barry in Barry Street where he soon revealed his zeal and business sense. Later he worked for a while in Robertson in the business of Mr. George Barry. He then went to the Transvaal where he worked for several years in the firm “Store Brothers” in Middelburg. Meanwhile, love life was not neglected and he was engaged to Miss. Annie Euvrard of Montagu, and not long after that he was back in Montagu and was employed by Mr. P. J. Joubert at a salary of £ 10 a month. After working under the guidance Mr. Joubert, he went out on his own and started buying and selling products for the Barry’s on a commission basis.
DANIËL CLARENCE BRINK
Mnr. Daniel Clarence Brink tans direkteur en onderbestuurder van BRINK BROERS BPK., is al vir byna 50 jaar aan besigheid verbonde en is vandag seker een van die oudste werkende besigheidsmanne op Montagu. Hy is gebore in 1893 op Middelburg, Transvaal. Nadat sy ouers vir enige jare in Paarl en op Saron gewoon het, het hul in 1902 verhuis na Montagu alwaar sy vader in diens getree het as boekhouer by die besigheid van sy twee broers. Daar die gesin in daardie dae maar baie skraal bedeel was met aardse goedere moes die kinders van vroeg af reeds leer wat dit beteken om hard te werk en was daar soggens voor skool en smiddae na skool nie so iets soos ledig wees nie maar moes daar werkies gedoen word en geld verdien word.Nadat hy vir ’n hele aantal jare in die besigheid van sy eie vader gewerk het, het hy in Desember 1914 aangesluit as klerk by BRINK BROERS BPK. teen ’n salaris van £5 per maand. Die winkelure was in daardie dae van 6-uur in die oggend tot 6-uur in die aand en dikwels is daar saans ook nog gewerk van 7 tot 10. Langs die moeilike dog gesonde weg van harde werk en ernstige inspanning het hy geleidelik vordering gemaak sodat hy sedert 1949 ook op die direksie dien van BRINK BROERS BPK.
Hy is getroud met mej. Anna Gertruida Laing van Caledon.
Mr. Daniel Clarence Brink, currently director and deputy manager of BRINK BROTHERS LTD. He has been involved in business for nearly 50 years and is probably one of the oldest working business men in Montagu today. He was born in 1893 in Middelburg, Transvaal. After his parents lived in Paarl and Saron for some years, they moved to Montagu in 1902, where his father joined the business of his two brothers as a bookkeeper. Since the family in those days had very few worldly goods, the children had to learn from an early age what it meant to work hard and there was no such thing as idleness in the mornings before school and afternoons after school. Work needed to be done and money is earned. After working for a number of years in the business of his own father, in December 1914 he joined as a clerk at BRINK BROTHERS LTD. at a salary of £5 per month.
The shop hours were from 6 o’clock in the morning to 6 o’clock in the evening and often from 7 to 10. In the evenings, along the difficult but healthy way of hard work and serious effort he gradually made progress ending up serving on the board of BRINK BROTHERS LTD from 1949.
He is married to Miss. Anna Gertruida Laing of Caledon.
G. C. Knipe
vanaf 1938 direkteur van die maatskappy. Hy is ’n gesiene boer van Montagu ivat ’n hartstogtelike liefde vir die grond het.
from 1938 director of the company. He is a respected farmer of Montagu because of a heartfelt love for the land.
J. J. Hauptfleisch
’n direkteur vanaf 1940. ’n Rustende boer van Montagu wat vanweé sy veelvuldige direkteurskappe en ander verbintenisse met plaaslike liggame ’n aanvins vir die distrik is.
A director from 1940. A farmer from Montagu and asset to the district as a result of his multiple directorships and other connections with local bodies.
S. R. Hofmeyr
’n direkteur van 1947. Mnr. Hofmeyr is ’n prokureur van beroep en ’n oud-Springbok wat in 1937 vir Suid-Afrika as senter op rugby-gebied in Nieu-Seeland verteenwoordig het.
A director of 1947. Mr. Hofmeyr is a professional lawyer and a former Springbok who represented South Africa as a rugby centre in New Zealand in 1937.
P.W. Burger
vanaf Mei 1940 ’n direkteur. ’n Vooruitstreivende boer van Montagu wat in ’n groot aantal plaaslike liggame dien.
A director from May 1940. A progressive farmer from Montagu who serves on a large number of local bodies.
C. H. Brink
’n direkteur vanaf 1950. Hy is direkteur van ’n vyftiental maatskappye en bet vamveë sy verbintenis met beleggingsmaatskappye, veel gedoen om die nodige kapitaal vir die vinnig uitbreidende Brink Broers te besorg.
A director from 1950. He is the director of about fifteen companies and through his relationship with investment companies, has done much to raise the necessary capital for the rapidly expanding Brink Brothers.
W. M. Bussell
was hoofbestuurder van Brink Broers Bpk. vanaf 1918 tot 1945. Hy kom van Londen alwaar by in ’n groot saak gewerk het. Voordat hy in 1918 in diens van Brink Broers getree het, het hy vir 17 jaar lank as bestuurder van ’n groot saak in Suid-Afrika opgetree
was general manager of Brink Brothers Ltd. from 1918 to 1945. He came from London where he worked in big business. Prior to joining Brink Brothers in 1918, he worked for big business in South Africa for 17 years
L. H. Knipe
’n direkteur vanaf 1921 tot sy dood in 1939.
A director from 1921 until his death in 1939.
P. A. Euvrard
’n direkteur vanaf 1921 tot 1940.
A director from 1921 to 1940.
P. J. Jordaan
’n direkteur tot sy dood in 1938. Mnr. Jordaan was ook ’n direkteur van die K.W.V. en ’n man met groot invloed
A director until his death in 1938. Jordaan was also a director of the K.W.V. and a man of great influence
N. J. Ackerman
was ’n direkteur in 1921 maar bet bedank toe by as prokureur na die Paarl vertrek.
was a director in 1921 but resigned when he went to Paarl as an attorney
D. J. Burger
was in 1921 ’n direkteur
was a director in 1921
J. D. Kriel
direkteur tot sy dood in 1939.
director until his death in 1939.
A. Rossouw
Klere maak die man Mnr. Rossouw is hoof van die mans – afdeling en kan spog met 29 jaar B.B.- diens.
Clothes make the man. Mr.Rossouw heads the men’s division and can boast 29 years with B.B.
Mev. A. A. Albertyn
Hoofmodemaakster en ontwerpster.
Sy het die naam van Brink Broers ver buite die grense van
Montagu bekend gemaak. (33 jaar B.B.-diens).
Head fashion designer
She carries the name of BRINK BROTHERS far beyond the borders of Montagu. (33 years’ service).
J.Viljoen
‘n Steunpilaar en die syferkop van BRINK BROERS. Hy is hoofrekenmeester van die firma. (10 jaar B.B.-diens).
A pillar of strength and the BRINK BROTHER’S figurehead. He is chief accountant of the firm. (10 years B.B. service).
L.Knox-Davies
Hoof van die drank-afdeling. Hy sorg vir die drinkgoedjies en hy ken sy werk(22 jaar B.B-diens)
Head of the liquor department. He takes care of the alcohol and he knows his field (22 years B.B service)
A.B. Niewenhoudt
Hoof van die ysterware afdeling. Arbeid adel. (36 jaar B.B.- diens).
Head of the hardware department. Highly respected. (36 years B.B. service)
T.De Kooker
Hoof van die kruideniersware afdeling (29 jaar B.B. diens)
Head of the grocery department (29 years B.B. service)
Japie Ellis
Vrugte se man …. Hoof van die vrugte-afdeling. (16 jaar B.B.diens).
Fruit man ….
Head of the fruit department.
(16 years B.B. Service).
J. S. Marais
Die wakkere bestuurder van die inmaakfabriek. Sy werk is sy lus en sy lewe. (4 jaar B.B.-\ diens).
The manager of the cannery. His work is his passion and his life. (4 years B.B.service).
Mev.EV. Wheeler
Hoof van die dames-afdeling.
Vriendelik dienswilligl (12 jaar B.B.-diens).
Head of the ladies section.
Friendly service (12 years B.B. service).
Antonie Botes
Voorman van wynstoor. (23 jaar B.B. – diens)
Foreman of the wine cellar. (23 years B.B. service)
Advert: Dorp Dinge May 1984
DIE WERKKRAGTE
VAN BRINK BROERS BEPERK
In 1902 het BRINK BROERS aan slegs drie persone werk verskaf. In 1912 het dit op twaalf gestaan. In 1952 was nie minder dan 400 persone in diens van hierdie maatskappy nie. In 1951 het die totale lone en salarisse wat aan werknemers uitbetaal is £60,233 bedra.
In 1902 BRINK BROTHERS provided employment for only three people. In 1912 it was twelve. In 1952, no less than 400 people were employed by this company. In 1951, the total wages and salaries paid to employees amounted to £60,233.
BEDRAG AAN LONE EN SALARISSE BETAAL
| 1921 | 1931 | 1941 | 1951 |
| £5,147 | £5,787 | £7,659 | £60,233 |
Wat byna merkwaardiger is as die vinnige groei van BRINK BROERS sedert die laaste tien jaar, is die feit dat nie minder dan 7 persone vir 20 jaar en langer in diens by die maatskappy is nie. Die persone wat die langste in diens is,is die volgende:—
What is almost more remarkable than the rapid growth of BRINK BROTHERS in the last ten years is the fact that 7 people have been employed by the company for 20 years and longer. The longest-serving people are the following: –
MNR. D. C. BRINK vanaf 1915 MNR. A. Rossouw vanaf 1923
A. NIEWENWOUDT “ 1916 T. DE KOOKER “ 1923
G. E. BRINK “ 1917 L. KNOX-DAVIES “ 1930
MEV. ALBERTYN “ 1920
Soos baie besigheidsgeboue was Brink Broers Beperk se hoofwinkel oorspronklik ’n woonhuis wat destyds aan mnr. Pieter Brink behoort het. In 1912 is dit egter tot ’n behoorlike winkel herbou. Sedertdien is dit nie minder dan vierkeer vergroot nie en wel in 1921, 1937, 1939 en 1947
Like many business buildings, BRINK BROTHERS LIMITED’s main store was originally a residential home which at the time belonged to Mr. Pieter Brink. However, in 1912 it was rebuilt into a proper store. Since then it has been increased in size four times, in 1921, 1937, 1939 and 1947.
Graan en Produkte
Omdat dit ’n boere-maatskappy is, was dit slegs logies dat dit feitlik alle produkte van die omgewing moes hanteer, bv. velle, wol, eiers, botter, graan en sitrusvrugte. Vandag tree BRINK BROERS op as verteenwoordigers van drie Beheerrade, tewens die Koringbeheerraad, die Sitrusraad en die Droevrugte-raad.
Because it is a farmers company, it was only logical that it should handle almost all products from the environment, e.g. skins, wool, eggs, butter, cereals and citrus fruits. Today, BRINK BROTHERS acts as representative of three Governing Boards, the Wheat Control Council, the Citrus Council and the Fruit Council.
DIE NUWE HOOF WINKEL SE HOOFGEBOU
DEEL VAN DIE VEROUDERINGSTOOR VAN DIE BB-BRANDEWYN EN WYNE VAN BRINK BROERS
Wyne en Brandewyne
Reeds die derde dag na sy stigting (3 Mei 1902) het die firma ’n brief aan Van Ryn Wine & Brandy Co., gerig wat o.a. soos volg gelui het:—
“We shall be pleased to buy brandy for you on a commission basis. Our Mr. J. Brink has had extensive experience in the line of brandies extending over a period of 10 years.”
Die eerste brandewyn-stoor is in 1906 gebou om 200 lêers (25,400 gellings) te bevat. Dit moes egter jaar na jaar vergroot word tot 1929 toe daar voldoende bergingsplek was om drie jaar se verkopings te verouder. ’n Eie stokery om brandewyn en spiritus te stook en aan die groothandelaars te verkoop, is met die uitbreek van die Eerste Wereldoorlog voltooi. Na die beeindiging van daardie Eerste Wereldbrand in 1919 is ’n begin gemaak om meer intensief in die drankhandel op te tree en om hotelle en bottelstore met drank te voorsien. Vandag is daar bykans nie ’n dorp of stad in die Unie waar B.B.-wyne en brandewyne nie bedien word nie.
Eerste Wêreldoorlog egter,is ʼn begin gemaak om droӫvrugte direk sowel as deur die posaan die publiek te verkoop. Vandag is die B.B.- en Klipspringer-handelsmerke van die firma oor die heleland bekend
Wines and Brandies
Already on the third day after its establishment (3 May 1902) the firm sent a letter to Van Ryn Wine & Brandy Co., which reads as follows: –
“We will be pleased to buy brandy form you on a commission basis. Our Mr. J. Brink has had extensive experience in the line of brandies extending over a period of 10 years. ”
The first brandy store was built in 1906 and contained 200 leaguers (25,400 gallons). However, it had to be increased year after year until 1929 when there was enough storage space to age three years’ worth of sales. An own distillery to distill brandy and spirits and sell them to wholesalers was completed at the outbreak of the First World War. After the end of that First World War in 1919, a start was made to intensify the liquor trade and to supply hotels and bottle stores with liquor. Today, there is hardly a town or city in the Union where B.B. wines and brandies are not served.
Ingelegde Vrugte
Eerste Wereldoorlog egter, is ’n begin gemaak om droevrugte direk sowel as deur die pos aan die publiek te verkoop. “Vandag is die B.B.- en Klipspringer-handels- merke van die firma oor die hele land bekend.Dit was eers diep in die veertiger jare dat ’n nuwe uitbreiding aangepak is wat in latere jare van die grootste belang vir die maatskappy sou wees. In 1947 is ’n beskeie begin gemaak met die inmaak van vrugte as ’n proefneming om te sien of dit lonend gaan wees. Die resultaat was sodanig dat in die daaropvolgende jaar ’n groot nuwe fabriek gebou en van die modernste masjinerie verkry is. Dit moes in 1950 verder vergroot word. Vandag word die B.B.- en „Sir Montagu”- ingemaakte vrugte nie alleen oor die hele Unie versprei nie, maar ook na nege verskillende lande van die wereld uitgevoer. Verdere uitbreidings vir ’n groter produksie is tans in die vooruitsig.
Canned Fruit
During World War I a start was made to selling dried fruits directly, as well as through the post, to the public. Today, the firm’s B.B. and Klipspringer brands are well-known across the country. It wasn’t until the 1940s that a new expansion was embarked on that would be of major importance to the company in later years. In 1947 a modest start was made with the canning of fruit as a trial to see if it would be profitable. This resulted in a large new factory being built the following year equipped with state-of-the-art machinery. It had to be further enlarged in 1950. Today, the BB and “Sir Montagu” canned fruits are not only distributed throughout the Union, but also exported to nine different countries of the world. Further expansions for larger production are currently envisaged.
NETTO WINS
Dat BRINK BROERS gedurende die eerste agtien maande ’n netto wins van £5,500 kon afwerp, is iets wat die geloofsvermoe van die twee stigters oorskry het. ’n Deskundige van buite, ’n sekere mnr. P. A. Euvrard, ’n latere direkteur van die maatskappy, is ingeroep om die juistheid van die syfers te staaf. Die netto wins het van jaar tot jaar gestyg, totdat dit die syfer van £39,200 vir die 1951-boekjaar bereik het.
NET PROFIT
The fact that BRINK BROTHERS was able to make a net profit of £ 5,500 during the first eighteen months is something that exceeded the expectations of the two founders. An outside expert, a certain Mr. P. A. Euvrard, later director of the company, was called in to verify the accuracy of the figures. Net profit increased year-on-year until it reached the figure of £ 39,200 for the 1951 financial year.
DIWIDENDE 8. 75 PST.
GEMIDDELD VIR 50 JAAR
Gedurende die volle tydperk sedert sy stigting was daar slegs vier boekjare waartydens geen diwidende betaal is nie, tewens 1921, 1929, 1930 en 1931. Die gemiddelde diwidend oor die hele tydperk het 8¾ % per jaar bedra. As dit oor ’n tydperk van 50 jaar geneem word, is dit geen geringe prestasie nie.
DIVIDENDS 8.75 PTS
AVERAGE FOR 50 YEARS
During the full period since its inception, there were only four financial years during which no dividends were paid, 1921, 1929, 1930 and 1931. The average dividend over the entire period amounted to 8¾% per annum. Taking it over a 50-year period is no small feat.
BATES
Waar die totale bates van die maatskappy in 1921 nog slegs £53,900 bedra het, het dit in 1951 op £698,950 gestaan. Die uitbreiding van die inmaakfabriek het ’n vername rol in hierdie vooruitgang gespeel.
ASSETS
Where the total assets of the company in 1921 were still only £53,900, in 1951 it stood at £698,950. The expansion of the canning factory played a major role in this progress.
PRAGTIGE HOTEL
Danksy die ondernemingsgees van die voorsitter en besturende direkteur van BRINK BROERS BEPERK, mnr. G. E. Brink, beskik Montagu vandag oor een van die mooiste en modernste hotelle in & die Unie. Die gebou, sy uitleg, die mure en die kleurskakeringe van die gordyne is ’n lus om te aanskou. Duisende vakansiegangers besoek Montagu jaarliks. Laasgenoemde lȇ op die skeiding tussen die Klein Karoo en die Boland. Gevolglik besit dit die klimaat van die Karoo maar ook die pragtige natuurskoon van die Boland. Sulke vakansiegangers verkies die Hotel Avalon om by tuis te gaan.
Thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit of the chairman and managing director of BRINK BROTHERS, Mr. G. E. Brink, Montagu has one of the most beautiful and modern hotels in the Union. The building, its layout, the walls and the colour of the curtains are a pleasure to behold. Thousands of holidaymakers visit Montagu every year. The latter lies between the Klein Karoo and the Boland. Not only does it possess the climate of the Karoo but also the beautiful scenery of the Boland. These holidaymakers prefer the Avalon Hotel to staying at home.
Advert: Dorp Dinge November 1983
