THE BIRTH

autopipe was established in 1991 as a German owned company in Butterworth, in the former Transkei.  Initially, autopipe manufactured stainless steel pipes solely for use in the automotive industry and especially for exhaust systems. 

From small beginnings with only one TIG welding mill in place, autopipe expanded its products also to be used in the construction, food and beverage, chemical and furniture industry.  During 1994 it became a necessity, due to demand, to install a second mill, further increasing autopipe's capacity and flexibility regarding short lead times and specific customer requirements.

In 1995 a "polishing plant" was installed allowing autopipe to polish stainless steel pipes to customer requirements.  In 1996 a new "cut to size" plant was introduced and the majority of pipes are now cut to size and bundled to customer specifications - avoiding extra cutting costs and waste at customer premises.

This enables autopipe to produce stainless steel pipes in any length from as little as 50mm to 12m in all qualities from ferritic to non ferritic materials.  The ever growing demand soon made it necessary to change premises and autopipe started its new factory building in East London in 1997.  The total area of 9000sqm was covered with a modern factory building of 1500sqm, and office and workshop facilities of some 400sqm.

The factory layout was designed to allow for easy extension to a total 4500sqm as and when further growth is required.  In June 1997 autopipe moved to these premised which is closely situated on the N2, and production is now in full swing in an easily accesible and modern factory building.

East London was chosen because of its harbour facilities for exporting of pipes, as well as for its central location to other major towns and its proximity to the major automotive industries situated in the Eastern Cape.  Daily and weekly transports now take autopipe's products to Durban, Butterworth, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Johannesburg.