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Trading and engineering

Thomas Barlow & Sons

Durban trading agency formed by Ernest Barlow in 1902 and predecessor of Barloworld.

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Historic Barloworld industrial facility photographed around 1970
A Barloworld facility around 1970, used here as a representative historical image. Photo: Caterpillar · Source

Ernest Barlow formed Thomas Barlow & Sons in Durban in 1902. [1]

It began with woollen goods and later added engineering products. [1]

The enterprise became the operating predecessor of Barloworld. [1][2]

History

Punch Barlow secured the Caterpillar dealership in 1927. [3]

Frequently asked questions

Who formed Thomas Barlow & Sons?

Ernest “Billy” Barlow formed it in Durban in 1902. [1]

Key milestones

  1. Ernest Barlow formed the agency in Durban. [1]

  2. The business became a Caterpillar dealer. [3]

Founded / co-founded by

  • Ernest Barlow — Founder of Thomas Barlow & Sons, the Durban agency that became Barloworld.

Company builders

  • Punch Barlow — Company builder who secured the Caterpillar dealership that shaped Barloworld’s equipment business.

Related articles

Related institutions

  • Barloworld — South African industrial processing, distribution and services group that became privately held in January 2026.
  • Barlow Rand — Diversified group name adopted after the 1971 combination with Rand Mines.
  • Caterpillar — United States equipment manufacturer whose South African dealer relationship with Barloworld began in 1927.

Sources

  1. Barloworld, Offering circular: history of the Barloworld group, 2004-10-18. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-14. ↩
  2. Barloworld, Integrated report 2022, 2022-12-13. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-14. ↩
  3. Caterpillar, Barloworld Equipment celebrates 95 years as a Cat dealer, 2022-08-11. Original source. Accessed 2026-11-14. ↩