Edenvale entrepreneur forges ice empire
“I was working from hand to mouth until I enrolled in an entrepreneurial course that addressed all aspects of business management."
Edenvale resident Lucas Ledwaba, a former cleaner and driver, founded Luc Ice Master in the suburb in 2013.
The company specialises in selling, installing, and maintaining ice machines, and its clientele includes Spur, Roco Mamas, and several Engen garages.
Ledwaba’s journey into ice-making started over 10 years ago when he was a driver at a company that sold ice machines.
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His then-employer encouraged him to build the necessary skillset because of growing industry demand.
He worked, gaining experience, before resigning to open his company.
In the daily running of many businesses, ice plays an important role. Restaurants and hotels rely on it to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in meats, and it is particularly crucial for seafood consumed raw, such as sushi.
Similarly, hospitals use ice to cool blood and preserve organs and medical tissue during transportation.
Ledwaba admits that his first few years as an entrepreneur were not easy.
“I was working from hand to mouth until I enrolled in an entrepreneurial course addressing all aspects of business management,” he said.
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The demand for ice is seasonal, and his business usually slows down in the winter.
Ledwaba said during this period, he dedicates time to servicing his clients’ machines ahead of the peak season.
Another challenge the industry, like many others, faces is load-shedding. Ledwaba and his team work to a strict schedule to counter the lack of power.
“Our appointments are set up according to the load-shedding schedule so we can assist clients needing our help,” he said.
Luc Ice Master aims to manufacture ice machines in-house in the future. If successful, it will be the first South African company to do so.
Ledwaba went to China to learn first-hand from the manufacturers. He hopes to make servicing his clients’ machines seamless and quicker.
“I found that the machines are not evolving with the smart technology we use these days,“ he said.
