EST. 1939
The Journey Behind the Genkem Name
For more than 86 years, Genkem has been part of South Africa’s manufacturing story.
TRIED. TESTED. TRUSTED.
The Genkem Story
A South African Manufacturing Story Since 1939
Genkem is a proudly South African manufacturing heritage brand whose story began in December 1939 with General Chemical Corporation. Since 1999, Genkem has been owned and stewarded by Qualichem (Proprietary) Limited,
the privately owned South African manufacturer founded by Donald Perry in 1983. The modern Genkem Group is built on two distinct but connected histories. Genkem contributes the manufacturing heritage, technical knowledge,
established brands and market trust developed since 1939. Qualichem contributes the entrepreneurial ownership, responsive operating culture and long-term investment approach through which that heritage has been carried forward.
Genkem carries the heritage. Qualichem carries the ownership story. Together, they continue the legacy.
Tried. Tested. Trusted. Since 1939.
The Genkem Story: 1939–1999
General Chemical Corporation commenced business in December 1939 under Sydney and David Hayden. One of its earliest activities was repacking caustic soda into small tins for household soap-making. From these practical beginnings, the company progressed into formulation and manufacturing, developing products that addressed domestic, trade and industrial requirements. During the 1950s, adhesives became a central part of the business. PVA adhesive systems were introduced in 1954,
followed by rubber-based solvent and contact adhesives in 1956. These developments established the technical foundation for Genkem adhesive ranges that would become trusted by manufacturers, tradespeople and home users across South Africa. The following decades brought continued investment in resins, emulsions, sealants, paper chemicals, foundry technologies, timber adhesives and specialist coatings. Genkem expanded its manufacturing capacity in Durban and Johannesburg and built relationships across packaging,
woodworking, footwear, construction, automotive, furniture and other industrial markets. The consumer portfolio also grew. Sandtex, Nova and Bourne became important parts of Genkem’s coatings and surface-protection offering, joining the familiar yellow-and-blue Genkem adhesive identity. By its fiftieth anniversary in 1989, Genkem had developed into a nationally established manufacturer with operations across Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The Qualichem Story: 1983–1999
Qualichem began independently in 1983 under Donald Perry. The business started with R70, a laboratory in his mother’s kitchen, a modified cake mixer used for production and manufacturing from his late father’s backyard. Its early strength was not scale, but enterprise: the ability to understand a customer’s requirement, formulate a practical solution,
manufacture it reliably and respond quickly. Qualichem moved into a formal manufacturing facility in Chamdor in 1984. It subsequently established operations in Cape Town, KwaZulu-Natal and Port Elizabeth, expanded from adhesives into coatings and related chemical systems,
and developed a strong base of industrial customers and long-term relationships. By the end of the 1990s, Qualichem had become a credible national manufacturer with the technical capability, infrastructure and confidence to acquire and steward a much larger heritage business.
Two Histories Become One
On 1 October 1999, Qualichem acquired Genkem together with the associated Nova, Bourne and Sandtex heritage brands. Tile Doctor was already part of the Qualichem Group before this transaction and subsequently formed part of the same wider brand and manufacturing portfolio. The acquisition brought together complementary strengths.
Genkem contributed six decades of heritage, established brands, broad technical knowledge and national market recognition. Qualichem contributed entrepreneurial private ownership, industrial relationships, technical agility and a long-term investment outlook. The years that followed focused on integration, modernisation and renewed investment.
Manufacturing, quality control, technical support, warehousing, sales and distribution were progressively aligned. New technologies were introduced, established products were improved and the Group continued expanding its capabilities across adhesives, coatings, sealants, waterproofing, flooring systems, sports surfaces and polyurethane technologies.
OUR MILESTONES
The Journey Since 1939
86 Years of Innovation, Quality & Trust
From pioneering adhesive technologies and polymer manufacturing to building some of South Africa’s most trusted brands, every milestone tells part of the Genkem story.
1939
Genkem Founded
Established by the Hayden family. Among Southern Africa's earliest chemical formulators.
1947
Early Adhesive Manufacturing
Local production of dextrin and starch adhesives begins.
1954
Polymer Chemistry Introduced
PVA emulsions established as a core technology.
1959
Corporate Growth Phase
Structured R&D and international licensing introduced.
1969
Industrial Resin Manufacturing
Durban PVA resin plant commissioned.
Early 1970s
National Manufacturing Expansion
Industrial adhesives and aerosol technologies developed locally.
1982
Sandtex Launched
South Africa's first locally produced textured exterior coating.
1983
Qualichem Founded
Donald Perry starts Qualichem with R70 and a cake mixer.
1984
Decorative Coatings Added
Nova Coatings and Bourne Floor Coatings join the portfolio.
1989
50-Year Milestone
Genkem becomes South Africa's leading adhesive manufacturer.
1999
Ownership Transition
Qualichem acquires Genkem and its legacy brands. Returns to South African private ownership.
2004
National Recognition
Ranked among South Africa's Top 300 Companies.
2013
Modern Manufacturing Investment
Major expansion of the Johannesburg Blumberg facility.
2020
Operational Resilience
Uninterrupted supply maintained through COVID-19.
2024
Brand Repositioning
Unified rebrand across Genkem's core ranges.
GENKEM TODAY
Built on Heritage. Focused on the Future.
Today, the Genkem Group operates under Qualichem and remains privately owned. Durban is home to the Group’s head office and also supports regional warehousing and distribution. Johannesburg serves as the principal manufacturing hub, supported by an additional manufacturing facility in Cape Town. Gqeberha further supports the Group’s regional warehousing and distribution network. The national operational footprint brings together solvent-based and water-based production, decorative and protective coatings, polyurethane manufacture, small-pack production, filling, packaging, storage and dispatch. The Genkem product portfolio is 100% manufactured in South Africa within the Group’s own operations. Packaging is sourced locally, while raw materials are sourced from established South African and international suppliers according to formulation, performance and availability requirements
A legacy of quality, innovation and trust that spans more than eight decades.
A portfolio of trusted brands serving DIY, professional and industrial markets.
Supplying solutions that support a wide range of industries across South Africa.
Proudly manufactured in South Africa, for South Africa and beyond.
The Group serves industrial, contractor, trade and retail markets through established consumer brands, specialist technical platforms, local manufacturing capability and long-standing customer relationships.
South African Made. Internationally Supplied.
From its South African manufacturing base, Genkem supplies customers and distribution partners across Southern, East and West Africa, the Indian Ocean islands and selected international markets,
including the United States. Genkem’s export business is supported through direct commercial relationships, distributors and regional partners. This international reach
is underpinned by local manufacturing, technical expertise, national warehousing and distribution capabilities and products developed for demanding applications and operating conditions.