Built from real poultry project work
John F Marshall started in 2009 with a simple aim: supply equipment that suits South African conditions and back it with proper service. From the beginning, the business focused on laying-hen cages, incubators, brooders, feeders, drinkers and abattoir equipment, then grew into full poultry project support for new builds and expansions. The same name has stayed on the door because the work has stayed practical, direct and hands on.
Our head office is in Jet Park, Boksburg, which puts us close to the industrial routes that serve Gauteng and the rest of the country. From there we support projects in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, as well as farms and processing sites in surrounding areas. Whether a client is starting small or planning a phased rollout, we help match the equipment to the site, the power supply and the production target.
How we work with farmers and processors
We do not treat poultry equipment as a once-off sale. A proper setup starts with site planning and a clear look at what the farm or processing room needs to do each day. That includes house layouts, airflow, access for cleaning, water points, operator movement and the space needed for maintenance. In some areas, especially where load shedding is regular, the plan also needs to consider backup power and what must stay running first.
- Site Planning for new builds and upgrades
- Equipment Selection matched to bird numbers, house size and budget
- House Layouts that support labour, hygiene and daily flow
- Installation Supervision so equipment is fitted correctly from the start
- Commissioning and checks before handover
- Operator Training for day-to-day use
Clients come to us for guidance because mistakes at setup stage can be expensive later. A feeder line set too tight, drinkers placed badly, or a processing room fitted without enough wash-down space can cost time every day. We try to prevent that, not just fix it afterwards.
What matters to us on every project
We keep our standards straightforward. Equipment must suit the application, be maintainable, and perform under local conditions such as dust, coastal humidity or irregular municipal supply. If a site is in Limpopo one week and KwaZulu-Natal the next, the requirements can look very different, and that is normal. Our job is to recognise those differences and work with them.
We value clear communication, proper follow-through and honest advice. If a solution needs more room, more labour or a different sequence of work, we say so. If a client only needs spares and routine checks for an existing house, we keep it focused. There is no benefit in over complicating a project when the aim is dependable output and lower downtime.
- Practical advice before equipment is ordered
- Support for both small operations and larger turnkey projects
- Attention to hygiene, access and maintenance from day one
- After-sales help that covers spares, training and upkeep
- Solutions that take local power and water conditions into account
That approach has helped us build long term relationships with clients who want consistency, not sales talk.
The team behind the work
Our team brings together project coordination, technical sales, operations, procurement and training support. That means a client is not left speaking to one person only. The right person can get involved at the right time, whether the discussion is about cage selection, a brooder setup, spare parts, or fitting out a processing room for cleaner product handling.
John Frederick Marshall leads the business as Managing Director, with a team that understands both the commercial side and the day-to-day realities on site. Lerato Mokoena handles operations. Sibusiso Dlamini coordinates projects. Anika van der Merwe manages technical sales. Thabo Nkosi oversees service, Nadine Jacobs handles procurement, and Musa Cele supports training and operator handover. It helps to have clear roles, especially when a project has to move from quote to installation without delay.
- Operations and project flow managed in-house
- Technical support for product selection and fitment
- Procurement handled with supply continuity in mind
- Training support for operators and site staff
Projects that keep working after handover
We are careful about what happens after installation. A poultry project is only useful if the people on site can run it properly, keep it clean and source spares when they need them. That is why our service includes commissioning, maintenance programmes and spares supply. If a client is expanding, we also assist with upgrades so the next phase fits into the existing setup without unnecessary rework.
Our support can include processing room fitout, abattoir equipment planning and practical maintenance scheduling. We know that some sites run with limited labour and that operators often learn on the job, so instructions have to be clear and the equipment has to make sense to the team using it. A good handover reduces breakage, speeds up adoption and helps the farm keep moving even when conditions change.
Why clients across South Africa keep coming back
South African poultry and agriculture businesses need suppliers who can move with them. A site in Gauteng may need fast turnaround and regular follow up, while a farm in Mpumalanga may need a phased project plan and spare parts support that arrives without fuss. We have worked in different provinces long enough to understand that one format does not suit every operation.
Clients return because we stay practical, answer the phone, and keep our focus on usable results. There is no point in promising more than a site can deliver. Better to plan properly, supply the right equipment and support the people who use it every day. That is how we have worked since 2009, and it is still how we work now.
- Reliable support from a Gauteng base in Jet Park, Boksburg
- Projects and supply across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal
- Experience with laying hens, hatchery equipment and abattoir setups
- Direct contact for advice, spares and project follow-up