Our story

Our roots go as far back as 1939

SMD was officially formed in 1957, but our roots go even further back to as far as 1939 when Mr. Horace Dainty, our founding partner, formed a company with his co-investors Smith & Matson. They linked their surnames together to form SMD Manufacturing Company.

During the war period, SMD’s efforts were primarily geared towards manufacturing of communications equipment for both UDF and British forces. During this time, they designed and manufactured specialized radio equipment such as the M17 radio.

After the war, Dainty quickly revitalized SMD manufacturing and development operations in the old SMD factory in Pinetown, Durban. SMD won a tender from the CSIR to develop the Wadely Reciever, which led to the developed RA17 for RACAL (UK), as well as manufactured hundreds of thousands transistor radios under the Eveready name to the local market.

Continental reach & GrupoArbulu

In 2012, GrupoArbulu (Spain) acquired an 80% share in SMD, making SMD a part of one of the world’s leading marine electronics group companies.
In 2014 Arend de Boer retired as CEO and is succeeded by Mr. Brian Chambers as MD. Then in 2016 the SMD Africa Marine Company is registered as a holding company for all the SMD Africa Companies. In 2017 Seatronics in Port Louis is acquired and becomes SMD Mauritius. Also during 2017, the SMD Kenya Company is registered.
In 2018 Brian Chambers leaves SMD, and GrupoArbulu becomes 100% shareholder, and thereafter Andile Dhlomo is appointed as MD.
That brings us to the present day, with the support of GrupoArbulu, SMD has continued to grow and expand our reach into Africa, where we aim to be your most trusted maritime technology solutions partner, and consistently provide value adding solutions to our clients.