A renowned manufacturing retailer of pine furniture, generic beds and quality mattresses celebrates three decades of business success.
Industry leader Brothers Pine and Mattress blew out 30 candles on its birthday cake in August.
The local business was established by Andrew Visser and his brother, Simon, who took a leap of faith and opened their first shop in Somerset West on 30 August 1992.
Andrew recalled being nudged to venture into entrepreneurship following the harrowing experience of falling asleep behind the wheel, which motivated him to resign as director of a large furniture group. With limited resources, they established a profitable bed business.
Together the siblings dedicated themselves to the business until Andrew took over the reins entirely in 2010. From its humble beginnings Brothers Pine and Mattress has grown from a single shop acquiring all goods on offer from other manufacturers to the largest pine furniture and bed wholesale retailer in the Western Cape, operating eight factory shops across the peninsula, including two in the Helderberg, in Somerset West and Strand. “What you see in our shops, we make in our factory,” says Visser. “Brothers is the leading manufacturer of generic beds in South Africa. It manufactures mattresses similar to, and in most cases better than, branded alternatives, and sells them at unbeatably affordable prices.
“People love our beds and we are a firm favourite in thousands of households in the province and beyond. We also supply mattresses and pine furniture to many hundreds of hotels, guest homes, hostels, restaurants and hospitals.”
Andrew reckons the business prides itself in quality products of a high standard, available at unbelievably low prices as well as a healthy staff turnover. “We love our staff; they just never leave,” he says. “We know all the employees’ spouses and children.”
Brothers Pine and Mattress boasts an exceptional staff complement, which over the years has grown from three employees in 1992 to more than 100 individuals.
Longstanding staffers include Samia Bazier and Polla de Wee, who have both journeyed with the business since its establishment and have become family. Bookkeeper Ivan Duma worked his way up the ranks after initially being employed as a youngster helping Andrew in his home garden.
“One day I came home early and was surprised to hear the beautiful sound of someone tickling the ivories. I was pleasantly surprised when I learnt it was Ivan the gardener. Little did I know that Ivan was not just an excellent pianist, but also a maths boffin. So from the garden to the office he went, and that is where he is to this day! These are the things of which I am proud.”
Brothers Pine and Mattress clients are guaranteed value for their hard-earned money. “This is what keeps our customers coming back – genuinely low prices for genuinely excellent products.”
Given the economic climate, he shared his gratitude for the blessing of business growth and success. “Turning 30 for any business should be viewed as a significant milestone. I am profoundly grateful to God and all who have had a hand in my business success, and continue to sustain and build the Brothers brand.”
. In celebration of the milestone, Brothers Pine and Mattress is giving away a single bed worth R2 500 to one lucky DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette reader. All interested individuals have to do is WhatsApp the answer to the question,“How old is Brothers Pine and Mattress?” to 079 886 8562 before close of business on Friday (7 October).
