From humble beginnings and with limited staff the business started growing and more people were employed in handling the administrative, production and dispatching responsibilities. Paint brush production became the main force of the business and an expansion programme entailed the acquisition of brush-filling machines to satisfy the needs of the domestic broom and affiliated brush market. The challenges were ongoing and dictated that paint rollers be added to the existing range, putting the company in a position to offer the complete range of brushware and allied products to the domestic market.

In the mid-1960s, a mere 10 years after starting up the business, it had developed into a bustling organisation and dominated a large share of the domestic market. It was also a founding member of the local Brushmakers Association. A substantial range of its products were manufactured under SABS specifications. Newly designed products were continuously expanded. During the mid-1970s, the company ranked amongst the top two brushmaking companies in the country.

Always looking for new challenges, the company became an accredited user of the SABS - ISO 9001 Quality Standards business concept but after a few years eventually realised that the international AJA-ULAS ISO Standards held more promise for exposure to the global markets. It applied and won accreditation as a user of this quality system in February 2003.

Publishing and Events recognised Academy Brushware as one of the Top 300 Performers of the year in business and industry for 2004/2005.

In 2002, the management team at Academy Brushware successfully concluded a management buyout of 80% of the share capital of the company, and in a short time, turned the company around, making it a leading manufacturer in the painting and cleaning application field. The company had five directors on its board, a well-trained management structure, administrative personnel and technical personnel. Between 2002 and 2013, the revenue grew by a staggering 1400%, agents were appointed in various regions and the factory, which had been opened during the 1960s in Babelegi, was expanded.

Academy Brushware was acquired by Bidvest in November 2013. The timing of the acquisition was perfect with two of the five Academy partners looking for a quick exit strategy and retirement opportunity. Dave Jacobs (Production Director) and Andrea Meneghelli (Director) both retired, and the remaining three directors have continued with the company. Craig Smith was appointed Managing Director, whilst also continuing with his marketing and sales portfolio, Dawie Barnard, now retired, became Operations Director, who has also retired, and Anton Van Der Merwe became Financial Director – he is now Chief Financial Officer.

At the time of the management buyout, Academy was producing 9 300 brooms per day on old machinery. With capital allocation from Bidvest, a plan was put in place to modernise the factory into a global best practice facility. Productivity and service levels soon improved. The company now manufactures 15 832 brooms per day. Revenue grew as did the innovative product offering. Over the past five years, due to productivity initiatives, innovation in selling, proper systems and an expanded factory, the profitability of Academy Brushware has grown fourfold.

During the current year, Academy Brushware's legacy premises were replaced with new, modern facilities, which will ensure that the growth expected from the company over the next few years is achieved and that it can adequately cater for the growing export market.