Passion and dedication

Derek has been in the industry since the age of 15, and is as passionate about his trade as he was when he first started Marriott Machinery. Still actively involve in his business, he is assisted by a close-knit team of employees including his friendly receptionist Evedne Abrahams, part-time bookkeeper Linda, and apprentice trainees Sabelo Gxalaba and Maxicole Cola.

Product variety

Marriott Machinery Part 2 has it core business in buying, restoring and reselling used machines. It sells new and used engineering machinery, and is renowned for its international machine tool valuators and conventional machinery consultants. Its supplies include drills, mills, grinders, rotary tools, horizontal boring machines and a full range of lathes from bench lathes to 10m industrial types. The variety of products also includes guillotines of all sizes, saws and press brakes. Customers are assured of quality products service, and expert advice.

Ninety-five percent of Marriott's machinery is imported from as far afield as Europe, America, Japan and China. "I believe in supplying my customers with sturdy and reliable machines,"says Derek.

Social principles

Derek is the founder member of the Used Machine Tool Merchant Association, an icon in the industry. Derek also encourages more young people to get involved in the industry." Today, there are so many managers, but where are the skilled men doing this kind of work? There is a real need for more apprentices. Educational institutions should encourage students to follow this engineering career," says Derek. Leading by example, Derek and his wife Anita decided to assist 22- year- old Sibelo Gxalaba, when he came knocking on their door four years ago. The couple also sent him to technikon and he is currently working as a trainee apprentice in the Marriott Machinery workshop ."It's amazing. When we first met him he could not speak or write English fluently, and now he can. He is also hard-working, an asset he applies to all areas.