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Kell Aluminium Profiles is the brainchild of a young captain of industry who believes in never stagnating, and always turning the nasties that cross your path into something positive.
Izaan Keller started making and fitting aluminium windows and doors when still a teenager, to earn some hard-won pocket money during the school holidays. ‘This is where my passion for aluminium and all its related systems developed,’ explains this Kingswood resident for the past six years.
Izaan was born in Oudtshoorn, but the family moved to Mossel Bay when he was eight years old. After 10 more carefree years of growing up in the iconic harbour town, he matriculated at Punt High School and then proceeded to manufacture and install aluminium doors and windows – a family business of which he mastered the basics and intricacies during all those years of looking and learning as a youngster.
‘I decided to head upcountry to study for a BCom Communication Management degree at Northwest University (previously the University of Potchefstroom), but ended up abandoning the course because the world of business just beckoned too brightly,’ smiles Izaan.
Directing two industry greats
This move back to the Garden Route was done in 2012 and, come 2014, Izaan broke away from the family business and founded Kell Aluminium Profiles, which is a wholesaler of aluminium systems, hardware, basic profiles, and aluminium extrusions. The latter term refers to the process of shaping materials such as metal or plastic by forcing them through a die.
Kell Aluminium Profiles is a proud local agent for Wispeco – the largest aluminium extruder in Africa – while also accredited as a Crealco Distribution Partner. Crealco specialises in the production of approved aluminium products that comply with universal building regulations.
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‘We also have our own in-house powder coating plant, which is one of only seven in South Africa that boasts internationally approved accreditation,’ explains Izaan. He established and has served as director of sister company Kell Powder Coating since January 2017.
But there was one requirement that George didn’t necessarily deliver upon: a better half that would complement Izaan’s entrepreneurial spirit and sense of fun. ‘I met my wife Christine in Potch, but we were always just buddies because she already had a boyfriend. We only got back in touch long after university and embarked on a long-distance relationship between George and Pretoria,’ he says. Christine was a freelance nurse at the time, which allowed her to work anywhere in the world. But she set her sights on George and on the talented Mr Keller, and after working as nursing sister for a while, proceeded to establish her own successful company in the southern Cape capital.
Skinstitute was founded by Christine in 2013 and combines the formidable skills of her good self with those of Dr Nicola du Toit – a practising GP who shares Christine’s passion for all facets of women’s health.
In a recent interview with The Times George & Mossel Bay, Christine said: ‘Healing of the skin has always been a special interest of mine, and ties in perfectly with the aftercare that is so important after non-surgical procedures, as well as treatment for scarring. The nursing profession will always be in my blood.’
So we’ve come a long way from the entrepreneurial teen to today’s 36-year-old head honcho of two successful companies in the national building and related industry, as well as two import enterprises that focus on providing the full package of aluminium systems.
Izaan is rightfully proud of what’s been attained in the past decade or so. ‘Kell Aluminium Profiles has worked hard to deserve the Qualicoat Seaside Approved stamp, which means we follow international standards and regulations in the powder coating process approved for offshore projects,’ he explains.
Why George?
‘I started my business in George because I already had good contacts and professional relationships here, established through the original family business. Also, I didn’t want to miss out on the action while operating in Mossel Bay. George offers many opportunities for growth, because the market is so much bigger in the town and its surrounding areas.’
Double trouble and triple joy
The Kellers are the proud – and, regularly, rather exhausted – parents of three sons: one four-year-old, and twins aged one year and nine months … but who’s counting?! Perhaps Izaan’s response to our top-pastimes question is most telling on the subject of being the business-owning parents of three lively boys.
‘My favourite time of the week is waking up on a Saturday morning and the boys come jumping onto our bed – a great start to days of making wonderful memories together. It stands in stark contrast to our weekdays, when I go to work early and Christine has her own challenging workload.’
Izaan chuckles when saying that the most magical moments for him and his wife are those rare occasions when there is silence in the house, when they can just be together and do, well, absolutely nothing!
When at the end of a busy workweek there are some hours to spare, he gets his speed kicks from dirt oval racing at the famous track located at George Showgrounds – just a hop and a skip away from their home on the tranquil estate.
Unique offerings at awesome Kingswood
Izaan says it was an easy decision to construct their family home at Kingswood Golf Estate. ‘First up on the priority list was the estate’s offering of peace and high-level security. Furthermore, it is well located within the town parameters and has a lovely overall atmosphere.
‘Apart from the estate’s beautiful setting and spectacular mountain views, I also appreciated that owning a home here ensures a growing investment. The fact that I love playing a regular round of golf made the decision that much easier.’
Izaan concurs with many a Kingswood acolyte that a pristine golf estate located so close to the CBD and Industria is a rare find – ‘it really gives you the best of both worlds,’ he says.
Perhaps this clever choice stems from his life philosophy, which guards against stagnation, or settling for second best, in any aspect of his life. ‘Whenever something nasty crosses your path, it’s an opportunity to turn it into a positive and make the best of a bad situation.’
Check out www.kell.co.za for additional information.
