-
1800's
The Babcock story begins in 1856 when two Americans, Stephen Wilcox and George Babcock patent a water tube boiler. By 1891, the company has grown into a Trans-Atlantic success story with the first Babcock boiler supplied to the gold mining industry in South Africa.
-
1920's
The decade when Babcock make their debut in the local power industry with the supply of coal fired boilers to Eskom Colenso in the Natal Midlands. Final commissioning takes place in 1927.
-
1930's
In 1933 Babcock receive an order for boilers from Eskom for the Klip power station in Vereeniging. Final commissioning takes place in 1936.
-
1940's
During the 2nd World War, Eskom places an order on Babcock for 4 boilers for the Vaal power station; Final commissioning takes place in 1945. In 1946 Babcock becomes a registered company in South Africa. A year later, Babcock’s construction equipment business is born.
-
1950's
In 1954 the Power Lines Company, which was acquired by Babcock in 2006, was founded. In 1956 a contract was won for the construction of the Kariba Transmission System in Northern Zimbabwe. The system consisted of three 330kV lines, originating from the Kariba hydro-electric power station, leading north to the Copperbelt, Harare and Bulawayo. That same year a 30 000 sqm property was purchased in Nigel from which Babcock's transmission line business still operates today.
-
1960's
Neil Armstrong lands on the moon and radios a message to the world: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Babcock too has made giant leaps in the power industry in South Africa with orders from Eskom for Taaibos, Klip, Highveld, Komati, Salt River, Grootvlei and Hendrina.
-
1970's
In 1974 an order worth, in today’s terms, R2bn is received for the first South African 6 x 600MW power station for Eskom Matla. In 1979 Babcock acquires the distributorship for Lincoln Welding products in South Africa.
-
1980's
Final commissioning of Matla power station takes place in 1983. In 1984 an order is received for Lethabo power station. No less than nine Babcock Group companies are involved in the design and building of this power station. Between 1988 and 1990 Babcock are selected as main contractor for the Mossgas Project and complete 4 of the 7 offshore modules. These are the first of their kind in South Africa. Project value at the time is some R900m.
-
1990's
1993 sees the R300m relocation of a 400 ton Acrylonitrile Plant from Enns, Austria to Secunda, South Africa. Babcock opens a fabrication facility in Jet Park. In 1994, Babcock’s plant hire business is formed - developed from the plant department that had provided the Company with its plant and equipment needs in the past. In 1997 George Babcock and Stephen Wilcox are inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and Babcock celebrates its official 50th Anniversary in South Africa.
-
2000's
In 2000 Babcock is awarded the Volvo Construction Equipment sole distributorship for Southern Africa. In 2006, Babcock’s transmission line division is born from the acquisition of a local powerlines organization.
-
2010's
In 2010 the company was named as the official dealer for DAF trucks and PACCAR parts for Southern Africa. In 2011 Babcock is appointed as the official dealer for Shandong Lingong (SDLG) construction machinery in Southern Africa. In 2012 Babcock International joins the UK FT SE 100 as the UK’s leading engineering support services organisation.
-
2014
Babcock International acquires Avincis, bringing together leading businesses flying mission-critical services in 11 countries, to create the world's first globally integrated aerial mission-critical services company. Our commitment: to save lives and protect the environment worldwide.
-
2015
Babcock, the southern African dealer for both Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) and SDLG, became the official distributor of Terex Trucks (also a division of Volvo CE), on 01 October 2015.
-
2016
Babcock concluded a deal with SENNEBOGEN at this year’s Bauma trade fair which will see the German construction equipment company’s range of duty cycle, crawler, dragline and port cranes, as well as material handlers for all operations, included in the Babcock offering. The agreement with SENNEBOGEN reflects Babcock’s ongoing efforts to deliver top quality construction equipment to new and existing customers.
-
Present
The work, wisdom, skills and foresight of the people within Babcock have given us the resources and flexibility that makes us a leader in our fields of operation, ensuring our ability to serve tomorrows markets with confidence. The future promises opportunities and challenges that can be tackled with assurance. Babcock is well equipped to meet the needs of the 21st century and beyond.