Founders Story
Founders Story
A Family Legacy Forged in Steel
The Guerra family’s journey is a testament to the enduring power of family, determination, and the pursuit of excellence. Uprooted from their beloved Italy, they crossed the vast ocean to build a new life in South Africa. Mr & Mrs Guerra Senior worked for many years in the textile business and then ventured into their own business, a “Tea-Room” in the mid-1980s. Essentially a general store, it was open seven days a week to the public, except during the “regime years” when all shops would close from 1:00 PM on Saturdays until 8:00 AM on Monday mornings.
Mr & Mrs Guerra instilled a sense of purpose and a strong work ethic into their four sons, who would work in the shop. This experience helped them develop valuable business skills, from managing their own cash registers to offloading Coca-Cola trucks.
Inspired by their parents’ entrepreneurial spirit, the sons founded Guerra Steel in 1991, a family business built on hard work and perseverance. The company began as a modest operation in the Westrand, but its growth was fuelled by the passion and dedication of the Guerra family.
Recognising the importance of education,
Mr & Mrs Guerra ensured their sons received tertiary education. All four sons earned engineering degrees, bringing a wealth of technical knowledge to the business. Coupled with their practical experience working alongside their father from a young age, the brothers were well-prepared to lead Guerra Steel into the future.
Driven by a shared passion for customer service and a desire to connect with their new community, the brothers immersed themselves in learning new languages. Despite arriving in South Africa in 1977 without speaking English, they now speak English, Afrikaans, Portuguese, Spanish, and French fluently and understand some local African languages. Their native Italian, including the Friulano dialect, remains a cherished part of their heritage.
Beyond their business acumen,
The Guerra brothers are dedicated to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
They believe that a healthy body is essential for a healthy mind and have incorporated running, cycling, football, and golf into their routines. Their commitment to fitness and their active involvement in the daily operations of Guerra Steel reflect their unwavering work ethic and attention to detail.
At Guerra Steel, we believe that “Turnover is vanity, profit is sanity.” We strive to maximise efficiency and profitability while always putting the needs of our customers and employees first.
Our family’s legacy is built on the foundation of hard work, dedication, and a deep-rooted passion for excellence.