1990
Employees are asked to take ‘late ownership’ of their jobs.
Supply scheme customers increase to 13.
Afrox is the first and only gas company to be awarded the SABS 0157 quality systems listing for its bulk air separation products.1991
Afrox wins the BOC Award for Technology for its Goldox system. The system uses pure oxygen in gold recovery and was introduced into several gold mines with success.
The Pretoria Iscor plant is commissioned.
The Germiston No. 4 plant is scrapped.
An MRI is installed at St. George’s Hospital.
An AIDS education programme is launched.
1992
Afrox achieves record sales of helium balloon gas marketed as Partigas and Bocogas.
IPV (a valve manufacturer) is sold.
AfroxPac, a self rescue system used by underground miners is launched.
Minority interest is acquired in Mercantile Hospital in Port Elizabeth and Crompton.
Royden Vice is appointed managing director.1993
The largest argon purification unit in the Southern Hemisphere costing R15 million is commissioned by Afrox at Pretoria West.
Anncron Clinic and Daylene Clinic are purchased.
Princess Hospital in Hillbrow closes.
Corporate governance is introduced.
1994
- Afrox acquires Engen’s LPG cylinder business for R88 million. The acquisition includes all LPG filling operations contracted to Engen including SA Energy Corporation, Mobil, Trek, Sonap and Homegas.
- Afrox placed first in Leadership magazine’s SA’s Most Admired Companies.
- Peter Joubert retires. Royden Vice appointed chairman.
- Healthcare has 14 hospitals, 2 day clinics.
- Cardiac catheterisation unit for Glynnwood.
- Neurosurgery introduced at Entabeni.
- Direct Medicines formed.
1995
Afrox lists on the Namibian Stock Exchange.
A LPG bulk storage depot at Roodekop opens.
Afrox acquires 35% in Lasey, Seychelles.
Afrox Occupational Healthcare is acquired.1996
A contract is secured for the sole supply of oxygen, nitrogen, and argon to Highveld Steel, leading to the construction of the Mpumalanga ASU plant.
Afrox JSE shares split 10 for 1.
Turnover reaches R2 billion for first time.
The Afrox Healthcare Network is formed.
1997
Afrox Healthcare acquires Vincent Pallotti Hospital in Cape Town, Springsmed Maternity Home & Female Clinic in Springs, and St James Hospital in East London.
A CO2 plant is commissioned at Sasol.
The Empangeni Private Clinic opens.
Caltex LPG business is acquired.
A centralised Customer Service Centre opens in Germiston.
Flora Clinic is acquired.1998
The Mpumalanga Plant, Afrox’s largest project ever, a R270 million gas producing plant and a 50 km gas pipeline is opened to supply industrial gases to major customers in the Mpumalanga area.
The Suikerbosrand Clinic in Heidelburg opens.
Afrox designs world-class gas welding products made for local and global markets.
Six hospitals are acquired in Port Elizabeth.
1999
The BOC Board recommends that shareholders accept the offer from Air Liquide and Air Products to buy The BOC Group.
Afrox and PresMed merge to form a new company.
Afrox Healthcare Limited is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on October 4, 1999.
Rick Hogben is appointed managing director of Afrox Healthcare Limited.