GEA Grenco, have had a relationship with Japie for the past 20 years and this was strengthened in 1996 when together we started with the 1st phase of the  cooling and packing facility which has grown to an impressive 4 phases capable of storing 95 000 bins of fruit under CA conditions. This facility, which stands on the outskirts of Villiersdorp in the Western Cape, whilst only a part exceptional enterprise which this great man built from his humble beginnings, is a proud testament to what he has achieved with the support of his family who have all been part of the business in one way or other. Andre’ Schoonraad remembers visiting the facility on a number of Saturdays in the early days (shortly after completing the 1st phase) to find sons Japie (Jnr) and Roux cleaning the floors of the facility (a rare sight at any of our installations). This was their introduction to the business, where they are now an integral part of the management team, very involved in Operations and Marketing respectively and will no doubt be instrumental in continuing to grow the business to new heights. In the past 5 years Japie concentrated a lot of his efforts on the ‘succession’ of the business to ensure that his legacy can continue. 
The solid and prized partnership which our company enjoyed with Betko was driven by Japie himself. Special relationships were built by many of our staff over the past 15 years through dealing with this warm, kind hearted man (often after hours) including our MD, Andre’ Schoonraad, who will dearly miss the very close personal friendship which he was privileged to have with Japie over the past 15 years.
We will miss you Japie!