Milestones
120 Year History
An enterprise with a century of history will inevitably have enjoyed its fair share of trials and successes. During our century of growth, several milestones have formed an indelible part of our business journey:
1904/1905
Editorial investigation discovers that two brothers, Salim and Michel, emigrated from Lithuania, likely in their early 20s, settling first in Cape Town and launched the ‘House of Louis’ (this is the name discovered) as wholesale merchants capitalizing on the Witwatersrand gold rush. By 1910, the enterprise expanded into one of South Africa’s largest distributors of toys, hardware, and consumer products.
1933
The Louis business imports an assortment of tea leaves from Ceylon plantations. When selecting a name for the brand of teas, Michel’s first two letters of his name are chosen – MI – and the first two letters of his surname – LO. The tea business 'MILO' was thus established, and later purchased by Nestlé for their well-known hot chocolate malt drink.
1935
Michel Louis & Sons orders four tons of rice from a supplier. The request is processed incorrectly and an order of 40 tons is recorded. The supplier further misunderstands the order and 400 tons of rice is actually delivered. Despite the confusion, the Louis brothers choose to honour the relationship with their supplier and the dispatch is accepted. Shortly thereafter, the company finds itself in the fortunate position as the only wholesaler with rice available at a time when food is very scarce due to the World War. The original capital for House of Louis could therefore be traced back to a simple grain of rice!
1936
Salim Louis dies placing great emotional and leadership pressure on the Enterpises.
1941
Michel Louis has far advanced leadership with the loss of his brother and business partner.
1955-1957
The family business has grown into one of the largest wholesale merchants in South Africa. As a result, a six story building is constructed in Bloemfontein to house the toy division.
1959
The next Louis generation of boys advance the business into more entrepreneurial activities and steers away from the heavily weighted wholesale business. Colia Louis, buys his first building and enters the building construction industry.
1960’s
Over time, more than one thousand houses are constructed in Bloemfontein and a property broking division is launched.
1967
Colia suffers a health setback but this event increased his faith in God and was the catalyst for Colia to press through adversity and become one of South Africa’s most successful businessmen.
1979
The Louis business spearheads one of South Africa’s first property sectional title schemes in Bloemfontein, which is highly successful. Residential sectional title units sell like hotcakes.
1980’s
Colia sources a landmark building at a bargain price and offers it to an established client. The client's response, "If it's such a bargain, why don't you buy it?" inspires the formation of a new type of property strategy, and Colia purchases the landmark property for the Enterprise.
1988
Alan Louis, whilst studying for his Masters degree in Commerce, joins the family business after the sudden death of his Uncle (the CFO).
2001
Alan actively pursues the European business opportunities for the Group and spends increasingly more time in England.
1981
Michael Louis, Colia's eldest son, is the first of the third generation to join the family business. He focuses his attention on spearheading property brokerage whilst completing his legal studies. Michael later advances his skills with major South African institutions.
1989
Alan completes his Masters degree and is inducted as a PhD commerce student, completing his PhD in 1992.
1994
The Louis enterprise relocates its headquarters to Cape Town with 4 brothers all working from the new HQ.
2003
The Technology division, with the leadership oversight of Dean, Emile and Brian Louis, is awarded the prestigious infrastructure contract for the Cape Town International Convention Centre. It also launches Smart Surv Wireless, South Africa's innovative wireless vehicle security and surveillance device.
2002
Louis Group Business Academy is established and is South Africa's first wholly-sponsored outcomes-based adult business programme designed on Christian and entrepreneurial principles.
2006
The Louis enterprise concludes two significant property transactions with leading European property families to acquire over several properties in Germany and Switzerland.
2007
The Corporate Research Foundation Publisher's Choice Award recognises the long-standing achievements in business leadership and management excellence in the Group.
2008
Colia and Elizabeth Louis celebrate fifty years of marriage and Colia celebrates sixty years of service in the family business. Group awarded the WQC International Star Award at the World Quality Commitment Convention. CRF awards Group in South Africa as the 'Best Managed Company in the Real Estate Sector’. Louis Asset Management SA opens its Zurich, Switzerland office.
2009
The Business Academy launches its business sponsored programme in the UK. Louis Asset Management in Zurich is awarded a Swiss Banking license.
2010
The global recession which started in late 2008 impacts on the Louis enterprises and key strategic changes are implemented globally. A European Property Fund is suspended.
2011
The global economic storm and the capital restraints it places on the Louis enterprises lead to the closure of its Swiss Banking operations. Chairman, Colia Louis, is presented with the Social Impact Leadership Award for 2011 by the University of Stellenbosch Business School.
2012
The long recession in Europe leads to continued property sales in Europe.
2014
Several properties sold for viable returns in spite of economic tension and fiscal drag felt worldwide. Hotel division experiences a surprising upswing with several awards and new Hotel management contracts. Vehicle tracking division, Smartsurv Wireless, operations reach new sale highs caused by record demands.
2015 - 2018
Profitability improved in all operations globally despite the negative effects of the devaluing South African Rand and slow European economic growth. In a sluggish real estate market, Optimus Property Solutions deliver several impressive leases of high value. Smartsurv Wireless fosters ties with Vodacom South Africa. Hotel Management contracts awarded opens new avenues of Serviced Apartments in Accra, Ghana. The primary functions of property management and investment services continues its usual course.