Powerflow Exhausts was established in Durban, South Africa in 1973. From the outset, the company’s focus was on one-off, stainless steel performance systems for cars and motorcycles - every one hand-built by the owner of the business. Soon, however, the advantages of a stainless steel custom-build system became more and more widely recognised and demand began growing. The systems had found great favour not only with car enthusiasts and the owners of sporty or unusual vehicles, but also with customers simply looking for a value-for-money alternative to a mild steel, off-the-shelf system. 

 

Increasing demand for the Powerflow brand throughout the country made the progression towards a chain of ‘franchised’ Powerflow fitment centres almost inevitable. By the mid-1990’s there were over 60 fitment centres in South Africa using the Powerflow product in all types of applications. Powerflow Exhausts had become the largest specialist stainless steel exhaust fitment group in the country and their “We fit it – You forget it” slogan was well known. 

 

Today ‘Powerflow’ and ‘Powerflow Exhausts’ are world-wide registered trademarks. The product is still manufactured in Durban and from there is exported to the UK, the USA, Australia, Germany, Holland, New Zealand, and neighbouring African countries.  

The factory covers 45000sq feet, boasts an ISO 9000 rating and is a fully credited member of SASSDA (South African Stainless Steel Development Association) and SAFA (South African Franchise Association). 

South Africa connection 

 

South Africa is rich in the minerals used in the production of stainless steel. The automotive grades of stainless steel (409 grade, 430 grade) have become the first choice for stainless steel automotive exhaust components (including catalytic converter housings) by most major car producers. As a result of this, many of the world’s largest exhaust and catalytic converter manufacturers have set up facilities in S.A. to produce and export stainless steel exhausts and catalytic converters to Europe and the rest of the world. South Africa is the world’s second largest converter of stainless steel into automotive components (behind the USA) and is home to the world’s largest ferritic stainless steel mill.   

 

Powerflow Exhausts capitalises on this abundant availability of 304 grade material, combined with the reasonable cost of labour in the country, by producing and marketing a high quality stainless steel exhaust product at a very competitive price.