Meet the team
Robert Kruger – Executive Chairman
A Visionary Leader with a Passion for Business.
Robert is an admirable entrepreneurial leader, who inspires a culture of innovation. He is passionate about being customer centric and firmly believes in pushing the envelope, where change is the only constant.
His wealth of experience and knowledge allows him to be an ideal empathic leader where he motivates the team to achieve both personal as well as organisational objectives.
Robert’s tertiary education and vocation have taken him through an exciting journey, which includes a BSc in Agriculture, to becoming a Game Ranger in private reserves both in South Africa and Botswana. In 1996, he offered invaluable skills and training to entrepreneurs both at operational and business levels within the sugar cane and cut flower industries. His drive for innovation and problem-solving led him to move into the engineering sector, where he joined HC in 2003.
This new business venture allowed Robert to further his studies within engineering and build an industry leading team that would grow the business from a 1 000 m2 factory with a staff complement of nineteen to a 21 000 m2 factory and employ over four hundred individuals.
Robert’s industry disruptive leadership style has allowed the business to grow through vertical integration strategies by expanding the product range globally.
“My strength is recognising the talent in others and building teams with strong entrepreneurial drive.”
Leon Potgieter – Chief Executive Officer
A Dynamic Leader Driving Global Success at the HC Group.
Leon Potgieter is the dynamic Chief Executive Officer of HC Group, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record in driving strategic direction and fostering international business growth. With exceptional skills in negotiation, networking, and relationship building, Leon has successfully navigated complex business landscapes and forged strong partnerships across the globe.
Under Leon’s leadership, HC Group has seen significant advancements in its strategic initiatives, positioning the company as a leader in its industry. His ability to connect with stakeholders and build lasting relationships has been instrumental in the company’s continued success.
Leon’s international business acumen and visionary approach have not only expanded HC Group’s global footprint but also enhanced its reputation as a forward-thinking and innovative organisation. His commitment to excellence and strategic foresight continue to drive the company towards new heights.
David Nurden is the Group Chief Operations Officer with over 24 years’ experience in the design and manufacture of refrigeration solutions.
With 24 years’ industry experience ranging from production management and product development, through to systems and process implementation, David has an in-depth understanding of all aspects relating to the design and manufacture of refrigeration coils and equipment.
By leveraging his diverse experience, David is able to adapt and optimise both our design and manufacturing operations, in support of and catering to our ever-shifting market requirements and client expectations. He approaches challenges, be they design, or process related, in an industrious and methodical manner employing both creativity and attention to detail in the pursuit of ever more efficient solutions.
“I subscribe to the ‘less is more’ philosophy, placing emphasis on finding solutions which are simple, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing.”
Jaco van der Walt – Chief Financial Officer
Jaco van der Walt is the Group Chief Financial Officer at HC Group of Companies, with over 40 years of financial management experience.
As a dynamic financial leader, Van Der Walt harnesses his expertise in strategic planning, financial risk management, and problem-solving to propel the growth of the business.
Van der Walt holds an Honours Degree in Finance from the University of Johannesburg and is a Chartered Accountant. His expertise includes financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management. At HC Group, Jaco oversees the company’s financial operations, Human Resources, and Information Technology, ensuring robust controls and compliance with industry best practices.
Before joining HC Group, Jaco held a Senior Partner position at a Big 4 firm, where he successfully led financial restructuring projects and implemented cost-saving initiatives. His strategic insights and leadership have been instrumental in enhancing operational efficiency and profitability.
Jaco is passionate about leveraging financial data to support business decisions and drive sustainable growth. He is known for his collaborative approach and ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation.
Henk Mac Donald – Chief Sales & Marketing Officer
A Chief Sales & Marketing Officer with 26 years of refrigeration industry experience.
Henk Mac Donald brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in sales and marketing to his role as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at HC Group. With a deep understanding of the refrigeration industry, Henk has consistently demonstrated his ability to build strong relationships and drive customer-focused solutions.
Henk’s extensive network and expertise in sales have been instrumental in expanding HC Group’s market presence and fostering long-term partnerships. His commitment to customer satisfaction and his strategic approach to marketing have positioned HC Group as a leader in the industry.
With a passion for innovation and a dedication to excellence, Henk continues to lead the sales and marketing team with vision and integrity, ensuring that HC Group remains at the forefront of the refrigeration industry.
Our Founders Story
Our founder, R.K. Kruger (Robert), can best be described as an entrepreneur passionate about creating and sustaining businesses that add value to local African communities. His desire is rooted in his early childhood living on a farm, working the land with the local community, and witnessing the fruits of their combined labour – transforming from seeds in the ground to agricultural products that contributed to the country’s food security whilst supporting their livelihoods.
Robert grew up with a love for nature and a desire to make a difference in the world. He studied Agriculture at the University of KwaZulu Natal, where he learned the science and art of farming. But Robert wanted to do more than grow crops. He longed to protect the environment and empower the people who depended on it.
He secured his chance when he received the opportunity to work as a Game Ranger in various African countries. He was amazed by the beauty and diversity of wildlife but also saddened by the poverty and exploitation of the local communities, who viewed wildlife as a threat to themselves and their livelihoods.
He decided to use his skills and passion to teach the community about eco-tourism, a way of preserving nature and creating economic opportunities simultaneously. He showed them how to value and protect their natural resources while making a living.
He returned to South Africa equipped with the knowledge that he could positively impact the future of South Africans with a new vision and challenge. The community he worked in was unskilled and under-equipped, facing many barriers to their development and productivity. He felt a strong connection and compassion for them; he saw their potential and the necessity to prosper. He decided to share his expertise and resources with them and provide contracting services by renting out his equipment and knowledge. He also helped them improve their skills and run their farms as successful businesses, providing for their families and communities.
Robert’s strong entrepreneurial spirit led him to Johannesburg, where he seized the opportunity to expand his impact and reach. He bought HC, a company specialising in designing and manufacturing heat exchanger equipment for various industry applications. He transformed the company from 19 employees with a 1 000m2 facility to 480 employees and over 25 000m2 of manufacturing facilities. In this more than 20-year journey, Robert established The HC Group of Companies spanning six vertically integrated companies, with a focus on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction.
He also continued his commitment to social and environmental responsibility by investing in the skills development of his employees, supporting local suppliers, and reducing the environmental impact of his operations.
In line with Robert’s drive and passion to uplift the local communities and remove barriers to entry, the HC Group has launched an incubation programme for black-owned companies manufacturing HVAC-R equipment in South Africa.
At the HC Group, we believe in creating value for our customers, employees, and society. Our vision is to provide innovative solutions in all industries that we serve globally. Our mission is to provide sustainable value and growth to our key stakeholders: employees, customers, suppliers, and shareholders. We are proud of our founder’s story and strive to honour his legacy daily.
