Overseas buy boosts SA family business staff count
A 124-year-old South Australian manufacturing business is taking new steps in its bid to be a global leader in its niche water tank sector.
North Adelaide-based Ahrens Group has purchased South African steel water tank manufacturer SBS Tanks for an undisclosed sum in a bid to become a global leader in the niche sector.
Ahrens – which remains a family-owned business since its founding in 1902 – now has more than 2000 staff members globally following the purchase of SBS, which employs more than 200 people.
The SA-based business already has a strong water portfolio, including Pioneer Water Tanks, Southern Cross Water, Altanks and Aqualine.
Ahrens has a sprawling manufacturing business, and makes a variety of products from sheds to silos. It also has mining and steel fabrication services.
The addition of SBS Tanks – founded in 1998 in Durban – adds a 19,000sqm manufacturing site to the Ahrens portfolio.
Ahrens managing director Stefan Ahrens said the buy aligned strongly with the group’s long-term vision for growth.
“SBS brings significant capability to our business and strengthens our position as a global water infrastructure provider,” Ahrens said.
“They have built an outstanding reputation across Africa and international export markets, supported by strong engineering expertise, quality manufacturing, dedicated installation teams and a customer-first approach that aligns closely with our own values.
“The acquisition reinforces our position as the number one line steel water tank company in the world and drives our long-term vision to become the world’s number one steel water tank business.”
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SBS founder and group CEO Delayne Gray said Ahrens was a natural partner, considering the South African company began its life as a distributor for Pioneer Water Tanks, which Ahrens also owns.
“There is a level of familiarity and trust that has existed for many years,” Gray said.
“This partnership feels like a natural evolution.”
In October 2025, Ahrens bought respected Victorian construction company Vaughan Constructions for an undisclosed sum in a bid to expand interstate.
SA-based Ahrens claimed at the time it now had sales of more than $1 billion post-acquisition. The company was ranked number 33 in InDaily‘s 2025 South Australian Business Index.
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