Columbit was registered in 1938. Ernest Zeh emigrated from Germany to South Africa and founded Columbit in 1937. With his first hand knowledge of the latest overseas production techniques Ernest soon realized that the local wine industry was poised for great exposure.
At the time; when compared with European wine producing countries such as France and Germany, the South African wine industry was still rather primitive in its use of equipment.
The prospect of exports; encouraged many producers to invest in new technology and chemicals; to simplify and improve operations. With the consumer shift from Brandy to Natural wine; local wine producers urgently required methods to control fermentation and filtration; so that good quality white wines could be made.
Machinery imported and later manufactured by Columbit helped in the production of many excellent wines.
Over the years the company has maintained its commitment to the wine industry with Columbit Staff members traveling abroad to remain current with trends and innovative production methods.
Columbit is the only company supplying the wine industry who was already in existence 70 years ago.
Today Columbit is a diversified operation representing European principles supplying top quality consumables and equipment to the Wine, Food and Beverage industries. All the divisions are backed by first class staff, technical support, service and spares.
Currently; we have 130 employees with offices in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
The past and future of Columbit embodied - front, Ernest Zeh, patriarch and pioneer, with, top left, son Harold, MD, grandson, Grant, running Australia and New Zealand operations.
Over the past 70 years the business has succeeded through a simple blend of honesty, integrity and quality with the goal of providing solutions, service and innovation.
Integrity and Honesty
Our simple philosophy is that one cannot buy a good name in business, one needs to earn a good name by being honest.
Quality
We strive to only market and support the finest quality products. We have built our business through keeping our commitments in terms of the performance of our products.
Service
Without the custom of our clients, we have no business and therefore strive to provide customer satisfaction to our clients with friendly service and the correct products at reasonable prices.
Innovation
We are an extension of our suppliers; together with them we endeavor to bring our clients the latest technology, experience and service keeping your business at the forefront of technology in your specialist field
