When did Plastimber start trading?

Plastimber started trading in 2009 from Paarden Eiland, Cape Town, with a focus on recycled plastic lumber for decking and benches.

Which areas does Plastimber serve?

The business serves Cape Town, Stellenbosch, George, Johannesburg, Durban, Paarl, Somerset West and Bellville, with delivery support across South Africa.

What services grew out of the early years?

Over time, the service offering expanded from supply into site measures, layout planning, installation, refurbishment, component replacement, care advice and trade support.

Our history | Plastimber recycled plastic lumber

2009: A practical start in Paarden Eiland

Plastimber was founded in 2009 in Paarden Eiland, Cape Town, at a time when many property owners and trade clients were looking for longer lasting alternatives to timber outdoors. The first years were shaped by a simple brief, make recycled plastic lumber useful on site, make it easy to work with, and keep it suitable for the real conditions found across South Africa, from coastal humidity in Cape Town to hotter inland areas and shifting municipal requirements.

From the beginning, the focus was on decking and benches for homes, hospitality spaces, schools, public areas and commercial properties. The material was selected for its resistance to common outdoor wear, and for the practical benefit of requiring less routine upkeep than traditional wood. That mattered on jobs where time, access and weather could all slow progress.

Early work centred on deck boards, seating and component supply
Jobs were handled from Paarden Eiland for Cape Town and nearby areas
Trade support became part of the service model from the start

2010 to 2013: Learning from site conditions

In the next few years, the team learned a great deal from actual installations. Coastal properties needed different care from inland sites, and the same product could perform differently depending on exposure, drainage, fixing details and how well the layout was planned. This period helped shape the way Plastimber approached site measures, layout planning and edge finishing, because good materials still need accurate handling.

As enquiries grew from Stellenbosch, Somerset West and Bellville, the business built a stronger process around quoting and delivery coordination. Instead of treating each project the same, the team started to match materials and installation steps to the site, whether it was a private patio, a shared walkway or a bench area for a commercial property. Small details made a big difference, especially where the sun, salt air or load-shedding related delays affected scheduling.

Site measures became a standard part of project planning
Delivery timing was refined for busy builds and access limits
Refurbishment work began to sit alongside new supply

2014 to 2017: Building a wider trade service

By the middle years, Plastimber had moved beyond basic supply into a fuller trade service. That meant helping clients with material quoting, installation guidance and replacement components when a section needed attention rather than a full rebuild. The business also continued to develop its bench offering, especially for outdoor waiting areas, courtyards and public-use spaces where upkeep and durability are important.

During this period, the team in Paarden Eiland developed clearer roles and stronger coordination. Project work could be handled more smoothly from first enquiry through to delivery, installation and aftercare. Anele Mkhize, Bianca Fourie, Thabo Molefe, Leanne Naidoo, Jason Petersen and Sibusiso Dlamini each brought a practical focus to the work, which helped the business stay organised as enquiries increased from Cape Town and other centres.

Material quoting became more structured for trade clients
Bench installation and deck installation were handled as planned site services
Care advice became a regular part of customer support

2018 to 2020: From Cape Town outward

As the business matured, deliveries and project support reached further afield. Cape Town remained the home base, but the work increasingly extended to George, Johannesburg and Durban, with continued support for Paarl and other surrounding areas. That wider reach required better logistics planning, cleaner communication on lead times and a more disciplined approach to packing, transport and site readiness.

This stage also reinforced the value of recycled plastic lumber for clients who wanted a material that could stand up to outdoor use without constant treatment. In busy commercial settings, that meant less disruption between refurbishments. On residential projects, it offered a tidy, practical option for decks and seating areas that needed to look good and stay serviceable over time, even when maintenance budgets were tight.

Delivery coordination became a real part of the service rather than an afterthought, and that made the difference for clients managing multiple trades on site.

2021 to 2023: Refurbishment, replacement and support

In the years that followed, more clients started asking for refurbishment rather than full replacement. That led to a stronger focus on edge finishing, component replacement and bench refurbishment, alongside the existing deck services. A lot of work in this phase involved assessing what could be retained, what needed replacing, and how to extend the life of an existing installation without overcomplicating the job.

The team’s experience also became more useful for property managers and trade partners who needed dependable support under time pressure. Whether the site was in Stellenbosch, Somerset West, Bellville or central Cape Town, the goal was the same, keep the project moving and avoid unnecessary rework. Jason Petersen’s installation oversight and Sibusiso Dlamini’s logistics planning were especially important on jobs with limited access or staged deliveries.

Refurbishment work expanded across both decks and benches
Component replacement was used to extend the life of existing structures
Trade support became more valuable for busy contractors and managers

2024 to today: A steady South African supply partner

Today, Plastimber continues from its base in Paarden Eiland as a South African supplier focused on recycled plastic lumber decking and benches for homes, businesses and public spaces. The business still relies on the same practical principles it started with in 2009, honest planning, material suitability and service that fits the site rather than forcing the site to fit the material.

From Cape Town to Johannesburg and Durban, clients now use the company for new work, refurbishment and ongoing care advice. The team remains involved from first enquiry through to delivery coordination and installation support, with the contact page enquiry form as the main way clients get started. It keeps communication direct, which matters when a project has to move through measuring, quoting and scheduling without delays.

What has not changed is the focus on useful, long-lasting outdoor solutions. What has changed is the scale, the reach and the depth of experience behind every project. That steadiness is part of the story, and it is still shaping the work today.

Our history