Herboldt's Group

Herboldt's Group is situated on 5 Marula Street Bloemfontein 

Remarkable success stories often have humble beginnings. Likewise, behind many success stories there is a remarkable individual who refused to concede to daunting challenges, and through sheer determination, sacrifice and visionary aspirations, turned dreams into reality. This is true of Bernhard (Kiepie) Herholdt and the Herholdt's Group as his legacy.

Being interested in electricity from an early age, Kiepie completed his apprenticeship in 1959 at the age of 18 years – making him one of the youngest qualified electricians in the country. In 1964, he and a partner established Power Electrical Contractors in Bloemfontein. During the next 10 years, the new business rapidly made its presence felt in the local industry by obtaining installation contracts for several large and challenging projects in the city. Some of these included the new library of the University of the Free State and its Medical Faculty at the Universitas Hospital.

After selling his shares to his partner, Kiepie proceeded to launch Herholdt's Electrical Contractors in 1974. He offered Frikkie Esterhuizen, a valued friend and former employee of Power Electrical Contractors, shares in the new business. Together they laid the foundation for one of the most successful business ventures in the Free State and central interior of South Africa. Herholdt's Electrical Contractors primarily focused on the electrification of master building projects, such as hospitals and libraries. In 1983, Kiepie and Frikkie relocated their business to 3 Maroela Street in the Old East End Industrial area, Bloemfontein. The premises in East End would eventually also become the centre of operations of HEG Properties, established in 1986 to commence the development of a property portfolio and Herholdt's Electrical Wholesalers, established in 1989 in order to strategically reposition their business from electrical contractors to a wholesaler of electrical products.