2009: a small Jet Park start with a clear technical focus
UV Laser was founded in 2009 in Jet Park, Boksburg by Riaan Pretorius, with one simple goal: to offer reliable UV laser marking for customers who needed fine detail without damaging the material. At the start, the work was concentrated on sample testing, proof marks and short production runs for glass and plastics. The aim was not to sell equipment for the sake of it, but to make sure each marking result was clean, permanent and suitable for real production conditions.
Those early years set the tone for the business. Jobs were handled carefully, sample by sample, because different plastics react differently and glass can vary in finish, coating and thickness. From the beginning, the team built its reputation on honest testing, clear feedback and practical advice that helped customers choose the right marking approach the first time.
2010 to 2012: proving the process in local manufacturing
As the company began working with more businesses in Ekurhuleni, the demand shifted from one-off samples to repeatable production marking. Customers in Boksburg, Germiston, Kempton Park and Benoni wanted consistency for branding, part identification and compliance information. UV Laser responded by refining setup methods and spending more time on process checks, fixture planning and operator guidance.
These years were important because they showed that marking was only part of the job. The machine had to fit the production line, the material had to be stable during marking, and the finish had to hold up to handling, cleaning and transport. That is where the business started adding more structured support around each installation.
- Sample testing for glass bottles, panels and plastic components
- Operator guidance for repeatable marks and better production flow
- Basic fixture advice to keep items aligned during marking
- Practical support for customers working in busy factory environments
2013 to 2016: from supply to full application support
By the middle years of the business, customers were asking for more than equipment alone. They needed help with software setup, marking layouts, fixture design and breakdown support when production schedules were tight. UV Laser grew into that role by building a service model around the full marking process, not only the machine itself.
During this period, the team also expanded its work beyond the East Rand. Site visits and demos started reaching Alberton and Midrand, and enquiries from Pretoria became more regular. The company learned that different industries had different expectations. Some needed product codes only, while others wanted detailed branding or intricate designs. The approach stayed the same though: test it properly, make sure it lasts, then set it up in a way that fits the line.
Riaan remained closely involved in customer decisions, while the team around him took on more of the day to day technical and support work. Naledi Mokoena helped tighten operations, Refilwe Mahlangu became central to applications work, and the service side was strengthened so customers had a clearer path from enquiry to installation and aftercare.
2017 to 2019: nationwide demos, installs and training
As the business matured, the service footprint widened well beyond Gauteng. Customers started asking for training on site, and for installations that could be handed over with confidence to production staff. UV Laser put more effort into nationwide demos, practical operator training and line integration, especially for sites that needed the marking unit to work alongside existing handling and packing equipment.
This was also the period where preventive maintenance became a bigger part of the offering. Factories could not afford avoidable downtime, so planned servicing and spares supply became part of the support model. The team began travelling more regularly and learning the demands of different towns and industrial areas, from noisy plant floors to cleaner packaging environments where dust and humidity still had to be managed carefully.
- Site demos for production teams and management
- Machine installation with handover and basic production checks
- Preventive maintenance to reduce stoppages
- Breakdown repairs and spares supply when time mattered most
2020 to 2022: adapting support for harder operating conditions
Like many South African businesses, UV Laser had to adapt to a tougher operating environment from 2020 onwards. Customers were dealing with changing schedules, tighter budgets and the strain of load-shedding, which made dependable equipment support more important than ever. The company responded by tightening its service process and making it easier for customers to get technical help, sample checks and troubleshooting without unnecessary delay.
During this time, process optimisation became a stronger focus. Some customers needed faster cycle times, others wanted cleaner marks on difficult plastics or more consistent results on curved glass. The team worked through these issues one plant at a time, often with repeated sample testing and careful adjustment. That steady support helped many customers keep production going when pressure was high, and it built trust in the service side of the business as much as the machines themselves.
The business also kept training practical. Operators needed to understand the basics quickly, especially where shifts changed often and one person had to cover more than one line. Training was designed to be simple, clear and useful from the first shift, not weeks later.
Today: a Jet Park team serving South Africa with practical marking solutions
Today, UV Laser is based in Jet Park, Boksburg and serves clients across Ekurhuleni, Gauteng and further afield. The team includes Riaan Pretorius as Managing Director, Naledi Mokoena as Operations Manager, Refilwe Mahlangu as Senior Applications Technician, Anele Dlamini as Training Coordinator, Priya Naidoo as Service Administrator and Thabo Khumalo as Field Installation Specialist. Each person plays a part in keeping enquiries moving, tests organised and support responses on track.
The company now works across industries that need clear, lasting marking on glass and plastics for branding, labelling and intricate designs. Clients still come to UV Laser for the same reasons they did in the early years: careful testing, practical advice and follow-through after the sale. The difference is the scale. What started in 2009 as a focused technical service has grown into a nationwide operation with demos, installs and training wherever customers need them.
Even now, the approach remains grounded in the same habits that shaped the first year. Listen closely, test properly, explain the result, and make sure the solution suits the line. That way, customers get marking that holds up in daily production, not just on the sample table.