These traders were fondly referred to the Wind Traders, mainly for the reason that they could only enter the harbour as and when the wind directions allowed for their vessels to navigate the direction of the Cape Town Harbour. Isadoor Haas thus founded and christened his company, “Tradewinds Manufacturing”. Tradewinds started off firstly as a Jeweller and Watch maker, as this was the skill Mr. Haa
s had mastered. After only a few years, 1956, Mr. Haas identified an opportunity in the market for window blinds. With this idea in mind, Isadoor approached tool makers to design a Venetian Blind Making machine, and thus, Tradewinds became the first Venetian Blind Manufacturer in South Africa. Tradewinds still markets these blinds and many more to this day. The only difference is now we market more updated and modern products. In the late 1960’s, Isadoor Haas introduced his son, Joseph, to the company. Joseph went on to take over the company from his dad and ventured into new fields growing the company stronger each year. Tradewinds also became the first manufacturer of the Old school metal pelmets widely used in South Africa, and in fact still in use today. In the early 1970’s, Joseph introduced Plastic Injection moulding into the Tradewinds range of products. Today we still manufacture many plastic products, some of which can be seen on certain brands of wine bottles, cable outlets for desks, plastic mops for the cleaning industry, drink mixers for the entertainment industry, electrical fittings in the Electrical field and many many more, but most importantly, all our own plastic products. In the same year, Tradewinds designed and introduced its own range of Hospital Inter-bed screen rails and screen curtains. In the early 1980’s, Joseph introduced his son Phillip into Tradewinds. Joseph an Phillip Haas managed the business together until 2008. During Phillip’s time at Tradewinds he mastered the art of manufacturing and installing all Tradewinds products and improved where needed. Phillip played a very important role in bringing Tradewinds into the 21st century, but was lacking enthusiasm as time went on. In 2008, Tradewinds was bought over by me, Gregory Nass. I valued the tradition and heritage so very evident in Tradewinds and was made to promise a very disappointed Joseph Haas to carry forward the Tradewinds Legacy, his son Phillip had unfortunately grown apart from his fathers company and wished to relocate to New Zealand where he resides today. I can report to Joseph that his farther’s legacy is very much intact and stronger than ever before. Tradewinds has grown in every direction possible. Tradewinds has added Intravenous Drip Rails and Hangers to its range as well as a new line of bed screen Rails known as “Silverline” a rail that fits flush up to the ceiling, locally manufactured and produced. This product was previously only imported from Europe. We have introduced automated curtain rails and shop fitting as well as being the only company in the industry that offers a comprehensive 10 year guarantee on all our hospital products. The newest and latest addition to the Tradewinds lineup is the well received Fly Screen system that fits into any window, designed for South African conditions. We identified this market within the Hospital and Hotel industry mainly for the kitchen area or wherever the need to keep insects out. Tradewinds Forwin and Tradewinds Silverline bed screen rails are no longer anodised as done in the past, we have created a technique to use Mill finished aluminium rails, polished to a stainless steel look finish which not only looks great but also adds Multi-Microbial qualities to the metal and also negatively charges the aluminium to expel dust, this is ideal for infectious control in hospitals. We still do have the anodised system available. Tradewinds Bed Screens have also been redeveloped using HHL Technology. This system is a natural Anti-Microbial solution for all fabrics used in hospitals. The system inhabits the respiration of bacteria thereby killing all known colonies. The system also acts as an insect repellent. We are still in the process of getting this system approved by die Department of Health. The system is tested and approved in Europe and many other countries across the world. Tradewinds is the first and only manufacturer in South Africa to offer this technology within our industry. Gregory Nass
