CONTRACTORS’ CORNER
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Proudly South African, switched on since 1999: The LESCO story W hen the first Cover Strip range switch rolled off the production line at LESCO Manufacturing in
infrastructure behind every flick of a light. Founded in 1999, LESCO Manufacturing was built on a simple promise: local manufacturing without compromising quality. That first Cover Strip Range was more than an early bestseller — it set the standard for everything that followed. Every switch, socket and lighting-related component since has carried the same
1999, founder David Shapiro could not have imagined how far a single product would take the company. Nearly three decades later, LESCO switches and sockets sit behind millions of South African homes, businesses and public buildings — the quiet
DNA: rigorous testing, safe design and proudly South African craftsmanship. From that single range, LESCO has expanded to include the Apollo, Steel, Dena & Dena Q and Pipelli ranges alongside the original Cover Strip — each engineered to meet the demands of modern lighting circuits, from sleek single-lever switches for contemporary homes to rugged, steel- clad options for commercial and industrial installations. The company remains a family business at heart. David Shapiro handed the reins to his son, Jonathan Shapiro, who took over as CEO in 2016 at the age of 26 — building on his father’s guidance and steering LESCO into a new phase of growth. Today, 45% of LESCO’s workforce comprises people with disabilities, alongside strong representation of women and young people across the business — proof that manufacturing excellence and social impact aren’t mutually exclusive. “We’ve never seen ‘Proudly South African’ as merely a badge,” says Jonathan Shapiro, CEO of LESCO Manufacturing. “It’s a commitment to building products people can trust and to building a workforce that reflects the country we’re proud to serve.” This growth has never come at the expense of LESCO’s founding values. The company holds ISO 9001 certification, is a proud member of Proudly South African, has SABS accreditation, and continues to manufacture the vast majority of its range locally — creating jobs and skills in South African communities. For electricians and retailers, that history translates into reliability: a switch or socket fitted in a home twenty years ago shares the same commitment to safety and quality as one fitted today. Looking ahead, LESCO is in discussions with potential partners to explore opportunities to expand the brand’s global footprint — the next chapter in a story that began on a single production line in 1999. The company’s commitment to innovation remains central to its strategy, with ongoing investments in advanced manufacturing technology and staff development. LESCO has recently implemented new energy-efficient processes across its factories, reducing environmental impact while maintaining the highest standards of quality. The leadership team is also exploring how to integrate smart technology into future product lines to ensure LESCO stays ahead of industry trends and customer needs. With an eye on both local and international markets, the company is poised for continued growth while retaining the values that have defined it from the beginning. The company remains rooted in where it started: proudly South African, proudly reliable, proudly powering the switch that lights every room.
Automating for Scale: Technology with soul
In an era where automation often sparks workforce displacement, LESCO demonstrates a better path forward. By deploying semi-robotic machinery integrated with floor-level AI across its operations, the manufacturer has significantly scaled output while preserving its entire core workforce. The deployment targets high-precision, repetitive tasks on the factory floor. Pairing semi-automated equipment with floor-level AI monitoring has boosted per-line efficiency by four to ten times, allowing LESCO to meet accelerating customer demand without sacrificing quality. Crucially, this operational shift relies on a hybrid model designed to assist human labour rather than replace it:
• Complete Retention: LESCO retained their permanent staff, including every position held by differently-abled employees, who represent 45% of the workforce.
• Role Upskilling: Automated systems handle physically demanding steps, freeing staff to transition into higher-value operational roles. • Maintained Standards: Expanded production strictly adheres to SABS, ISO 9001, and SMETA
accreditations across its line of switches, sockets, plugs, and extension leads.
By choosing a human-centric approach to automation, LESCO proves factories can achieve exponential output gains while maintaining complete workforce stability.
switch king (Pty Ltd)
For more information, visit www.lescosk.com
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2026/08/17 13:40:12
SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2026
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