History of Chamberlains 1903-2015


1903

         


    Frank Fewster Chamberlain (pictured left) opens his trading store

    Frank Fewster Chamberlain opened his trading store in Riviera, a village north east of Pretoria. The store (pictured above) was     located on a stream where ox-wagons trekking to the Lowveld and Mozambique would stop for watering and repairs. Uncle     Frank’s shop supplied produce and second-hand building materials to dairy farmers in the Moot valley.
    The earliest surviving document of the family business (pictured above)– a receipt for the 1st installment on the property in     Rietfontein, now Riviera, bought by Frank Fewster Chamberlain in December 1903.


1905

    

    The Anglo Boer War and second-hand building materials

    After the Anglo Boer War (1899 – 1902) the soldiers’ barracks were demolished and sold piece-meal from Roberts’ Heights (which became     Voortrekkerhoogte, now Thaba Tshwane). Frank Fewster Chamberlain would trek up to Roberts’ Heights to bid on the materials – comprising     largely nails, timber, doors and glass – and then return to Riviera to sell them. The round trip took a week by ox-wagon. In those days the     premises were never locked, and trading was to suit customers.

    The title deed of the Rietfontein property (pictured below), signed by the surveyor general of the Transvaal in 1905 – Mr JC Smuts.      

1909


Tennis parties at Uncle Frank’s house on Chamberlain Street

Very old residents of Riviera remembered tennis parties at Uncle Frank’s house over the road from his shop on Chamberlain Street before the First World War.

1926

    Frank Herbert Chamberlain

    In 1926 Frank Fewster’s nephew Frank Herbert Chamberlain (pictured left) arrived from the family farm in England to join his uncle. His duties included     cycling through the donkey camp where Pretoria Academic hospital is today to Barclays Bank and the Post Office on Church Square.

           


1935

    The Lean years

    Frank Herbert Chamberlain inherited the business when his uncle died. He slowly built up the company during     the Great Depression of the 1930’s and the tough years of World War Two.


1956

 

Integrity, hard work and progress with caution

The South African building industry took off in the 1950’s. Offices and a new shop were built on the Riviera site in 1956 (pictured right), and Frank Herbert Chamberlain created a solid business based on his credo of: integrity, hard work and progress with caution.

(pictured below - Frank Herbert Chamberlain ,with Elizabeth, Philip and David in the Riviera timber yard


1968

Philip & Dawie Chamberlain

(pictured right) Frank Herbert’s sons, Philip Newton and. Frank David (Dawie) joined the firm after completing their studies. Philip was in charge of finance and administration and Dawie of operations.

(pictured below) The Riviera sales counter in the 1970’s – salesmen in jackets and ties.


1971

    Waltloo store opens

    (pictured left) Chamberlains had to build their own rail siding at Waltloo because transporting timber from the sawmills by road was illegal

    Eager to grow the business, the brothers bought sites in the industrial area of Waltloo. The property now encompasses the truss factory,     joinery, hardware store and the bulk timber shed.


1974

Chamberlain roof truss manufacture

The roof truss manufacturing plant was opened on the Waltloo property.

(pictured right) The first roof trusses supplied by Chamberlains - still standing today


1976

Waterkloof Glen store opens

On the 50th anniversary of Frank Herbert’s arrival in South Africa, FH Chamberlain Waterkloof Glen opened in the veld to the east of Pretoria.

(pictured right) The surrounding suburbs were developed during the building boom of the early 1980’s.

(pictured left) - The Chamberlain brothers singing at the 50th anniversary party.


1984

Randburg store opens

The Randburg store opened on 1 September 1984. Two weeks later the prime rate soared to 25% and the South African building industry entered its worst slump in history.

1994

    Ready to grow in the New South Africa

    Chamberlains weathered the wild economic swings and political unrest of the 1980’s, and welcomed a democratic South Africa –     ready to grow.


2003

    100 years in business

    Chamberlains celebrated it's Centenary with a turn-of-the-century themed staff party and another famous     Chamberlain customer braai.

    (pictured left) - Philip and David Chamberlain celebrate with Emily Mametje


2004

    Centurion store opens – rise of the megastore

     Chamberlains opened its first megastore in Centurion, offering an exciting shopping experience.


2006

Community involvement

Chamberlains continues to contribute to the community through its involvement in local charities initiatives as well as sponsorship of events like the famous Chamberlains Capital Classic road race.

(pictured right) - Dawie Chamberlain (Managing Director of Chamberlains) reads to children from the ProLit education project.

(pictured below) - Group sales store manager Sampie Jacobs finishing in true style at the Chamberlains Capital Classic road race.


2007

    Montana store opens

    Chamberlains opens a megastore to the north of Pretoria


2012

    Silver Lakes store opens

    The company expanded eastwards and opened a megastore in Silver Lakes, Pretoria.


2014

The fourth generation

The fourth generation of Chamberlains, Anne Chamberlain, Catherine Chamberlain, Gareth Chamberlain and Victoria Chamberlain continue the family traditions.













2017


    Strubens Valley store opens

    The company expanded southwards and opened a megastore in Strubens Valley, Roodepoort.