Overview
With over 125 years of expertise in manufacturing, grinding, and sharpening, Roemer’s Grinding Works has established itself as a trusted name in the industry. Specialising in producing, grinding, and sharpening a broad range of blades—such as cutters, saws, guillotines, shear blades, granulators, and circular blades—we provide comprehensive cutting solutions to various industries.
Mission Statement
At Roemer’s, we are committed to delivering top-tier cutting solutions across a wide spectrum of industries. We ensure that your blades are expertly managed throughout their lifecycle—from creation to end-of-life care. Our services include manufacturing, sharpening, and offering expert advice to optimise blade performance and longevity.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to be the leading cutting solution provider in South Africa, continually enhancing our processes through Lean Manufacturing and maintaining our commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Products & Services
Roemer’s Grinding Works manufactures and sharpens a variety of cutting tools, with a strong focus on the following industries and products:
- Food Processing: Blades for meat, poultry, fish, and fruit.
- Packaging and Plastic: Serrated knives, sealing knives, perforating blades, and Starlinger blades.
- Cardboard and Paper: Cross-cutters, board cutters, sheeters, guillotines, and circular blades.
- Recycling: Blades for plastic and paper recycling.
- Metalworking and Woodworking: Granulators, wood chippers, and roughing/finishing knives.
- Textile and Tissue: Specialised blades for tissue processing, band knives, and anvil blades.
We also specialise in inlay guillotine blades and selected circular blades, serrated and perforating, alongside Bovic and Viktor tea knives. Additionally, our services include sharpening, straightening, chip removal, and tailored advice on materials, cutting edges, and temperature management. All our products are backed by a lifetime guarantee, crafted from high-quality German and locally sourced steel.
Target Market
Roemer’s serves a diverse range of industries, including:
- Food & Beverage Processing: Meat, fish, poultry, fruit & vegetable, tea.
- Packaging & Manufacturing: Bag making, sealing, slitting, trimming, and folding.
- Recycling: Plastic and paper recycling.
- Metalworking & Woodworking: Metal recycling, wood chipping, and custom applications.
- Specialised Industries: Textile and tissue processing.
Industry and Market Position
As one of the oldest blade manufacturers in South Africa, Roemer’s Grinding Works stands as a market leader in cutting solutions. Our longstanding history, coupled with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to Lean Manufacturing, enables us to offer competitive pricing and efficient lead times to meet our customers’ needs.
Achievements & Awards
Transitioned into a full cutting solution provider by integrating
Lean Manufacturing principles.
Established a successful in-house training programme, resulting in the entire workforce trained in White Belt Lean Manufacturing, with our Production Manager achieving Yellow Belt status.
Implemented solar power to support part of our operations, reducing our environmental impact since 2014.
Proud member of the Cape Town Chamber of Commerce and Industry, enhancing our business network and commitment to regional growth.
Company History
Founded in 1899, Roemer’s Grinding Works has grown through three generations of family leadership. Our factory houses over 30 machines, including grinders, planers, milling machines, lathes, and sharpeners. Our in-house furnaces allow us to harden and temper steel, ensuring top-quality results. Over the decades, our motto, “THINK QUALITY”, has guided every aspect of our work, driving us to consistently produce superior products.
Leadership Team
Roemer’s Grinding Works remains a family-run business, now in its third generation, supported by longstanding employees who have grown with the company. We have also hired new key staff members who bring a fresh perspective to manufacturing, helping us embrace innovation and drive the company into the future.
Corporate Culture
At Roemer’s, we are deeply committed to quality and the continuous development of our team. Our corporate culture values expertise and encourages long-term career growth. We have also embraced diversity by incorporating more women into our workforce, especially in the manufacturing department.
Social Responsibility
Roemer’s Grinding Works is committed to being environmentally and socially responsible:
B-BBEE compliant
We are proud to partner with Inyosi for socio-economic development initiatives.
Employee Shareholding
Our employees are stakeholders in the business, sharing in its success.
Sustainability
With part of our operations running on solar power, we strive to reduce our environmental footprint. We also have water recycling systems in place for efficient resource use.
Commitment to Our Service Level Agreement (SLA):
At Roemer’s, our Service Level Agreement is a cornerstone of our commitment to customer satisfaction. We prioritise meeting and exceeding customer expectations by delivering products on time, every time. Our in-house manufacturing capability allows us to ensure faster lead times than competitors relying on imports, with our blades reaching customers long before imported alternatives. Additionally, our dedication to quality assurance guarantees that every blade meets the highest industry standards, backed by our lifetime guarantee. We continually assess and improve our processes to align with our SLA, ensuring reliable and efficient service that upholds our reputation as a trusted cutting solution provider.
Future Plans
We aim to expand our Lean Manufacturing capabilities, increase our commitment to sustainability, and continue empowering our workforce, especially by increasing female representation in manufacturing roles.
Solar Power
Our solar energy setup generates up to 40kW per day, supplying power to our office and part of the factory, thus reducing reliance on external power sources.
Water Conservation
Machines are equipped with reservoirs that recycle water, ensuring minimal waste.
Waste Recycling
We have a recycling system for steel off-cuts, and we partner with EnviroServe for responsible disposal of non-biodegradable waste.
Women in Manufacturing
In 2020, Roemer’s welcomed its first female machine operator, who has excelled in her role, operating heavy machinery and overseeing the furnace. Since then, we have employed more women across various departments, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and gender equality.
Conclusion
Roemer’s Grinding Works remains a beacon of quality, innovation, and tradition in South Africa. With over a century of expertise, we continue to evolve, adopting modern manufacturing techniques, sustainable practices, and upholding our commitment to excellence in serving our clients and community.