Sonskyn Kunsmis was the brainchild of Attie van der Westhuizen and Jaco de Wet, both originating from Sasol. Attie was previously a factory manager for Sasol at varous plants and also involved with the construction and upgrading of many plants such as Potchefstroom, Kimberley, Reitz, Vrede, Secunda and Endicot.
Jaco was an agricultural specialist and subsequently worked at Sasol as a marketer. With a dream and thorough planning the approached André Tonkin to share their plan and vision.
André Tonkin, as many will attest, is a man that will recognize potential and opportunity. Especially when it relates to his passion for agriculture and farming.
André, who already were dealing with many suppliers in the sector, shared his own vision of owning their own manufacturing plant. Many were critical about the idea, but with passion and perseverance they proved them wrong.
Jan Pretorius was appointed as the executive director and mentor for Sonskyn Kunsmis. His many years of experience in his own farming operation and strong leadership laid the foundation for sound business principles and success.
"Some people dream of great accomplishments, while others stay awake to do them" - Anonymous
2003
Sonskyn Kunsmis rents the old "Voermeester" buildings and land. This terrain was standing unoccupied for 7 years already and needed lots of work. The liquid fertilizer plant was constructed in just 11 weeks. Two 30-ton reactors were designed and build to accommodate the mixing process. The plant was formally opened on 1 September 2003 and production started in full swing. Sonskyn Kunsmis produced 10,000 tons of liquid product for the season.
2004
The land were purchased towards the end of 2004.
2005
Construction of an Urea store with raw material tip-facility. Technical services including pipe and spares for fertilizer spray-equipment were procured.
2006
Construction of the phosphoric acid storage facility.
2007
Construction of the UAN plant with a 3,000 ton storage facility in the form of a dam.
2008
Sonskyn Handel (cooparative shop) opened their doors as a complete service to our existing clients including pipe and related spares. This was also the start of a 3-year project to increase the phosphoric acid storing capacity.
2010
New, modern offices were build and occupied. Paving were laid around the factory and new garden made. Additional parking build for staff with a new palisade fence erected .
2011
Mapco Farm surveying and soil analysis becomes part of the Sonskyn Kunsmis group. A generator was installed to provide electricity to the administration building due to regular power cuts (load shedding).
2012
The new granular plant opens on 1 August 2012.
2013-14
Liquid plant and bins were upgraded. September 2014 - the inner lining of the 3,000 ton UAN dam cracked. Product were removed in great haste and stored with clients to prevent a large spill and soil contamination. The dam was demolished and replaced with fertilizer tanks, all placed in a circle on the foundation of the dam.
2019
Existing 1-ton mixers in the granular plant were replaced with an electronic mixing and packaging plant which can process up to 40 tons per hour. The storage facility for finished product were expanded.
2019
By the end of 2019 a decision was made to modernize the company brand and logo with a view of a new and expanded marketing strategy.
