CUTTING OUR WAY THROUGH CNC CLUTTER
UNICAM South Africa (PTY) LTD, was founded by renown machine designer and well-known and respected CNC ‘Whisperer’, Alan Welsford.
He was the Technical Director and Co-founder of Acepak Pty (Ltd) since inception in 1984 and was instrumental in turning this Company into a Global and renown market leader in quality, automated, heavy-duty machinery. He retired in 2013, got bored and purchased UnicamSA in 2014.
Alan and his Team decided to upset the CNC market with an eye on well-priced, darn sturdy, ‘any-fool-can-use-it’ CNC units. Their CNC machines can be serviced, maintained and even upgraded by the client themselves as all their parts are ‘off the shelf’. They also refuse to do ‘proprietary software’ and prefer giving clients open-source software, which offers the client total ownership of their machine, no niggly and often very expensive and unwanted ‘updates’…
WHAT IS UNICAM CNC ALL ABOUT?
We are a leading, technologically focused, World-Class, CNC Manufacturer based in Cape Town, South Africa.
We are committed to manufacturing highly-reliable, easy-to-use and technologically advanced CNC machines to match and surpass European Competitors. We refer to our solid CNC units as ‘Panzer Tanks’- see one and you will quickly understand why (the word ‘robust’ doesn’t do their CNC units justice).
We make use of innovative technology backed by decades of industrial automation and manufacturing experience, with the added bonus of a global network of trusted suppliers who share our vision; manufacturing ‘No-nonsense’ machines.
Our backup technical support is untouchable and well-respected. Our units are also wifi enabled for us to evaluate (and often fix) any problem you might be facing, often resolving an issue without us even having to come and assist you on your production floor.
Hand-built UNICAM machine using only the most rugged hardware and control-gear …
Yet another UNICAM ‘Panzer Tank’ CNC unit being delivered to a client in Africa
A BRIEF HISTORY OF UNICAM
The CEO of Unicam SA, Alan Welsford, came out of retirement as Technical Director of South Africa’s leading automated machinery supplier, Acepak, in 2013 due to absolute boredom and promptly bought Unicam SA on a whim.
He sold his yacht, hung up his racing car’s steering wheel and went back to his true calling – Innovative Engineering.
He is a through-and-through Designer of Automated machines (over 35 years experience), with an unsurpassed understanding of CNC machines. From advising clients on correct choices on advanced Servo drives to creating and deciphering G-code, right down to what choice of intuitive controllers the client needs, Alan has the answers.
He has designed over 5 000 machines for the South African Market to date.
In purchasing Unicam SA, Alan had the added advantage of retaining the services of Glen St.Joseph, a sought-after and highly skilled Technician of all things CNC, in particular software and programming. One of Glen’s biggest assets to the Company however, is his outstanding skill in training CNC operators. Glen is now the Technical Director of Unicam SA.
Alan then hooked up with one of his old schoolmates, Jean-Marc Duquenoy. JM has been instrumental in launching numerous International Brands onto the global stage and has an unshakeable conviction on 3, non-negotiable, Core business values:
1 Customer Satisfaction at all costs
2 Staff’s well-being and
3 Constant Innovation, in this order.
Watch this space…
YOUR CNC BACK-UP TEAM
Axolile Ngcayi
CNC OPERATOR
The man that runs the CNC cutting department blind-folded! A natural student of all things CNC, Axolile pushed himself to learn for over 2 years, with gentle support from his Unicam family and hey presto! – He qualified as a CNC operator in November 2019 (Mach 3 & Mach 4). A born perfectionist, a true Team-player– a bright future awaits this man.
Glen St Joseph
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Originally a CNC operator, he has worked his way up at Unicam SA over the last 15 years and is now a Director. He flies across South Africa offering training and guidance to new CNC owners. He prefers working with Hardwoods, Aluminum, and Carbon Fibre and doesn’t stop pushing the envelope when it comes to unusual items – from rifle stocks, molds for electric cars (South Africa’s first electric car molds was one of his pet projects, always goes on about it…) right down to guitar bodies and cladding for buildings. Always in the process of expanding his knowledge, and has recently been offered an opportunity to build on his CNC programming. Watch this space.
Sinalo Mbuli
ELECTRONIC AUTOMATION AND INSTRUMENTATION TECHNICIAN
Sinalo joined the Unicam CNC Team in July 2022 – at the same time as Chanel (girl-power)! She applied and easily outshone her competitors for the position in our Electrical dept at Unicam – due in part to her balanced and mature demeanor. Sinalo currently assists our Senior Electrician by doing Panel wiring , inspection, testing , repair and/or replacing electrical wiring using hand tools. Sinalo is a qualified Electrician with 3 years’ experience in assisting Electrical Artisans. She lists traveling with friends and family as one of her fav recreations.
Chantel Meyer
HEAD OFFICE ADMINISTRATION/PR
Jean-Marc Duquenoy
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Jean-Marc has a contagious ‘can-do’ personality and is driven to succeed. He has headed up numerous Senior positions in Multi-National Companies, starting as a young Key Accounts manager at Safmarine, then moving up to Barlow-Rand and finally to Distell Head Office in Stellenbosch, before keenly taking up the cudgels at Unicam SA.
Jean-Marc has travelled widely, is a born motivator as well as a fair negotiator. He lives his belief that a happy employee is one of the greatest assets a Company must have.
Rodwin Johnson
ACCOUNTANT
Rodwin joined Unicam SA as our full-time accountant in November 2019 due to the expansion of Unicam’s CNC retro-fitting Division. Studious, serious yet engaging and with impeccable manners, this is the man that makes sure the client’s bills are paid on time!
Rodwin is a real asset to Unicam and runs his deptpartment with exemplary leadership skills
Alan Welsford
CEO
With more than 35 year’s experience in the machine-building industry, Alan has overseen the building of more than 4800 machines. He started an industrial electronics business in 1980 which soon took over Acepak, where he was the technical director until 2013 when he decided to semi-retire, sold his Acepak shares and focused on his other business interests. Alan quickly got bored however, and bought Unicam South Africa (Pty) Ltd (now Unicam International) on a whim, where he once again used his bucket-loads of engineering experience and innovation to create yet another leading company! Unicam International (Pty) Ltd. is now poised to become a very serious Global contender in the CNC market with their high-tech, extremely durable yet very affordable, innovative machines.
Chanel Davids
CNC MACHINIST
Chanel joined the Unicam team in July 2022. Her journey started over 10 years ago when she chose to pursue Engineering as a career. Her dream is to become a sought-after , world-class Engineer. She has worked alongside top-class, qualified engineers whilst training and in her career, confirming to her that she had made the correct career choice, she is exceedingly proud of her achievements to date. Chanel is super-cool and chilled, loves listening to music (in particular old school and Jazz), and spends a lot of time with her best friend and furry-baby, Tyson (which often includes them going on long road trips). Chanel is a welcome Team-member at Unicam and an appreciated colleague – with an ever-ready smile that brightens everybody’s day as a bonus
Marcel Van Der Ende
CHIEF FACTORY MANAGER
Marcel is our Chief Procurement & Factory Manager. Marcel oozes total confidence and it is obvious that he truly enjoys what he does, but make no mistake, he does not tolerate fools easily.
He offers our clients over 10 years of CNC experience, including Milling. As an added bonus, Marcel is also a tough negotiator when it comes to sourcing alternative suppliers and keener pricing for Unicam SA – and by default , you, our client. A true asset to the Unicam SA family!
Emmett Groenewald
MILL MACHINIST
Emmett is the rock that Unicam leans on when the sea is restless. Our parts magician who can conjure up any part we need for clients machines.
When we get stuck with a tricky problem, he is the one who tirelessly works into the night turning our concepts into reality and solutions.
Brandon Pretorius
WORKSHOP FOREMAN
Brandon recently joined the Unicam SA CNC family in January 2022. His exceptional interpersonal, self-confidence and natural leadership skills is the final missing puzzle piece in our current Team. He is a fully qualified toolmaker, with over 16 years of machining experience and has his Red Seal, adding even more competency to the Unicam Team. His field of expertise includes:- tool making, turning, milling and programming of CNC machines. He additionally accepts challenges willingly and takes them all by the horns. In his little bit of spare time, he dedicates himself fully to his family. Brandon’s only major drawback is that he enjoys listening to R & B music (but we will work on this…)
Aubrey Mentoor
SPRAY PAINTER & WORKSHOP ASSISTANT
Aubrey joined the Unicam team in February 2022. He previously worked at Consani Engineering for many years and then also at Petrol Engineering. Aubrey is one of those individuals that seems that nothing much gets him down – he is always more than willing to lend a hand and assist anybody in the workshop, always with focus and impeccable manners. On his off days, he enjoys watching good rugby games and loves listening to classic music. A recurring theme of Unicam personnel is how the good people here value their families – and Aubrey values this above all else, on par with God. He is also a very proud Grandad.
LETS CHAT
I would like to possibly purchase a new CNC machine and/or refurbish my current one
– Could you send me a Cost Estimate?