1970s

Fedics is founded and quickly establishes itself as the leading player in the catering market

1971.

Fedics founded as a contract catering business by Federale ICS and Trust Houses (UK): the very first large-scale outsourced caterer in South Africa, creating an entirely new market segment.

1979.

Trust Houses sells its share to the other shareholders.

1980.

Fedics establishes itself as a progressive, fast growing South African success story.

1982.

Implement first affirmative action programme – indicative of a commitment to progressive management and transformation that has been a core value ever since.

1983.

Sponsor the SA Chef’s Association to develop black chefs.

1986.

Airport catering concessions commence at Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town; Venture into airline catering after winning SAA’s in-flight catering tender and launching Air Chefs.

1987.

Fedics’ training college opens.

1989.

Expand presence in airline catering: Air Caterers enter into a joint venture with Gate Gourmet.

1990.

A time of massive change in South Africa, and an expanding and ever progressive Fedics was at the forefront of this change in many ways, including being one of the first businesses to conclude meaningful BEE transactions; Purchase of 40% equity in Protea hospitality group.

1992.

Air Chefs forms a joint venture with Transnet.

1994.

The Institute for Hospitality Studies (HIS), our in-house training institute, is established; Awarded Sancorp’s “Investor in People” award.

1995.

Establishes 9 black empowerment ventures at Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban international airports; Launches Our Dream – a vision programme for the future; Receives the Black Management Forum’s “Most Progressive Company of the Year” award.

1996.

Joint venture with Drake and Scull Engineering UK to offer full Facilities Management Services.

1997.

Purchase of 33,3% shareholding by a black-owned investment consortium comprising investments progress groups, Nozola and Siphumelele; Launches in-house branded food courts.

1998.

Introduces segment branding; receives “Business-to-Business Marketing Company of the Year” award from the Institute of Marketing Management; The Tsebo Outsourcing Group is formally established, with Fedics as a core, flagship brand and solutions provider

2000.

Implements a supply chain strategy and e-procurement through mymarket.com; Tsebo features in corporate research foundation publications: SA’s Leading Managers and SA’s Most Promising Companies.

2001.

Finalist for the Black Management Forum’s “Most Progressive Company” award.

2002.

Implements a supply chain strategy and e-procurement through mymarket.com; Tsebo features in corporate research foundation publications: SA’s Leading Managers and SA’s Most Promising Companies.

2003.

Sells Air Chefs and Gate Gourmet in-flight businesses to focus on core business; Fedics listed in SA’s top 300 National Companies and in SA’s top 300 Empowerment Companies.

2006.

Purchases 43% shareholding in Wiesenhof Coffee Shop; Achieves first Empowerdex AA Rating.

2007.

Recognised as an Emex BEE Verification Level 3 Contributor.

2008.

Recognised as an Emex BEE Verification Level 2 Contributor; Purchase of 49.9% shareholding by Absa Capital and 15% shareholding by Lereko Investment Holdings.

2009.

Achieves highest ever BEE level 2 contribution rating of 94.3%.

2010.

After achieving the highest BEE rating ever for generic enterprises in the contract catering industry, Fedics continues to play pivotal in Tsebo’s catering division, supporting the Group as it continues to pursue an acquisition and growth strategy that makes it into an African outsourcing giant.

2016.

Achieves an historic Level 1 Rating on the 2015 Amended BEE Codes in South Africa.

2020.

After a historic year and the Covid-19 pandemic continuing to impact the entire fabric of society, Fedics continues to be forward-thinking and makes the changes necessitated by a dramatically changed and changing environment.

2021.

Fedics celebrates its 50th Anniversary; Refreshes brand for the future.