Drakewoods: Built on Legacy, Driven by Quality

By Chelsea Brand

Nestled into the industrial heartbeat of Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal is a business that has been part of powering the region’s manufacturing and retail sectors for over six decades. Drakewoods, a proudly South African brand, has become synonymous with quality tools and trusted service — a reputation built not overnight, but over 65 years of consistency, relationships, and resilience.

Founded in 1961, Drakewoods has grown into a well-established supplier of branded tools and consumables, servicing both industrial and retail markets. From globally recognised power tool brands like Makita, Bosch and Metabo, to pneumatic solutions such as Chicago Pneumatic, and consumables ranging from Loctite to Genkem, the company offers an extensive product range tailored to the needs of modern industry.

At the helm is CEO Prin Mudaly, whose journey with the company spans an impressive 35 years. Joining straight out of university, Prin stepped into a business that was already part of his family’s story. What began as an opportunity soon became a lifelong commitment. “It’s a long history,” Prin reflects simply; but behind those words lies decades of hands-on experience, growth, and adaptation.

Operating out of Pinetown has played a key role in that growth. Once considered a smaller town within the greater eThekwini region, Pinetown has evolved into a bustling industrial hub. With a diverse mix of sectors, the area has naturally become a strategic base for a company like Drakewoods. As industry gravitated toward Pinetown, so too did the need for reliable suppliers. Drakewoods rose to meet that demand, expanding its footprint while maintaining a strong connection to the businesses it serves.

Drakewoods Product Range

What sets Drakewoods apart in a competitive market, according to Prin, is not just its product offering, but its legacy. As industry leaders in the supply of quality branded tools and consumables, the company has cultivated long-standing relationships with suppliers, some spanning more than six decades. “We still maintain those relationships to this day, and we are proud of that,” he says. “The confidence that these brands have in Drakewoods reaffirms our commitment to the industry.”

Like many businesses, Drakewoods has had to navigate its share of challenges in recent years. From the disruptions of Covid-19 to the impact of local unrest, the landscape has been anything but predictable. Yet, rather than retreat, the company adapted with a renewed focus on delivering value. For Drakewoods, this means more than just supplying products. It’s about working closely with manufacturers to ensure cost savings are passed on to customers, helping businesses remain sustainable in an increasingly pressured economy. At the same time, the company continues to prioritise product quality, safety, and technical expertise, elements that are critical in industrial environments.

Looking ahead, Drakewoods is setting its sights on growth but in a way that stays true to its roots. While the company has traditionally operated through a trade counter model, there are plans to evolve the retail experience. The vision is to open up the space, allowing customers to engage more directly with the products and to see, feel, and understand the quality that defines the Drakewoods name. It’s not about becoming a big-box retailer, Prin explains, but rather about enhancing accessibility while maintaining a curated, quality-driven offering.

Interestingly, one of the biggest misconceptions about Drakewoods is its pricing. As a recognised brand, many assume it comes with a premium cost. Prin is quick to challenge that perception. “People think we are expensive, and we’re not,” he says. “When you consider the quality and the safety that comes with it, along with the value we bring, we are very competitive.” In fact, as a volume-driven business, Drakewoods prides itself on offering strong value for money, often standing shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the most competitive suppliers in the market.

When it comes to standout products, however, there is no single bestseller. Instead, the strength of Drakewoods lies in its diversity — from hand tools like spanners and socket sets to lubricants and industrial consumables. It’s this breadth that allows the company to serve a wide range of industries with equal confidence.

At its core, Drakewoods is more than just a supplier, it’s a business built on relationships, reliability, and a genuine understanding of its customers’ needs. And perhaps it is Prin’s personal philosophy that best captures the spirit of the company: “Do good and be good.” In an industry often defined by margins and mechanics, it’s a simple reminder that kindness, integrity, and purpose still matter and that even in the world of tools and trade, people remain at the centre of it all.

Address: 112 Josiah Gumede Rd, Pinetown, 3600

Phone: 031 701 5924

Email: sales@drakewoods.com

Website: https://drakewoods.com/