Sheer determination and a “never-say-die” character resulted in the late Keith Maspero being awarded a prestigious agency for the supply of new truck seats and components almost 30 years ago.
It was on 1st March 1991 that his company, “The Seat Connection”, was appointed as a “Special Distributor” by Proseat (Pty) Ltd. Proseat was then, and remains today, the wholesale distribution arm of ISRINGHAUSEN of S.A.(Pty) Ltd (an international company of German origin).
The Seat Connection forms part of a national network of factory-appointed aftersales service facilities which guarantees new seat sales as well as the availability of replacement parts for the repair and restoration of used commercial vehicle seats.
Like many other successful owner-managed medium sized businesses, The Seat Connection had humble beginnings. Keith initiated the business in the garage of his home in Rivonia in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. His ability to motivate those around him and drive them to grow within themselves led to his gardener at the time, Frank, becoming an accomplished seat technician and a valuable asset to the business.
The Seat Connection grew out of its “Rivonia home” quite rapidly and it wasn’t long before Keith took the next bold step. It was in May 1996 that Keith ventured forth and invested in a property in 8th Avenue, Edenvale where the company would be housed.
The Seat Connection continues to operate from its uniquely customised premises in Edenvale and will proudly celebrate its 30th Birthday next year (1991 – 2021). Each one of its 12 staff members is vastly experienced and are generally considered by those in the industry to be authorities in the field.
Over the years The Seat Connection has serviced the likes of Transnet, large mines and mining supply companies, well known bus operators such as PUTCO, farmers, large truck fleet operators as well as owner drivers. The cross-section of customers is as vast as it is fascinating.
The determination to engineer a solution and to “never-say-die”, lives on at the Seat Connection and has been carried forth by the Maspero family and their treasured staff. Keith’s wife and his daughter own and manage the company today and whilst all and sundry miss Keith dearly, Judy and Colette haven’t skipped a beat and the Seat Connection remains as entrenched in the industry as it has always been.
The history of The Seat Connection is as unique as it is heart-warming, whilst its salient characteristic is its ability to succeed despite the odds. This seeps through to the service and care that it offers its customers…very seldom will The Seat Connection fail to satisfy, “NO MATTER WHAT THE ODDS”.
