Get to know CTE Group.
Commuter Transport Engineering
Welcome to CTE Group, the dynamic holding company behind a legacy of excellence in the rolling stock refurbishing industry. With a commitment to innovation, empowerment, and sustainable growth, we have been at the forefront of transforming rail transport and empowering communities for over two decades.
At CTE Group, our purpose goes beyond business success. We envision a future where railways serve as catalysts for progress, connecting people, industries, and opportunities. As the holding company of three business units, we are proud to lead the way in revitalising and modernising rolling stock, bringing new life to trains that serve as lifelines to communities around the country.
Our journey began in 1998 with a pioneering spirit, as the first ‘black woman-owned’ company to enter the commuter train refurbishment industry. Since then, we have risen as a trailblazer, making a significant impact on the South African rail landscape. Through our dedication to excellence and unwavering support from industry leaders, including the late Minister Omar, we have witnessed the resurgence of the rail industry, contributing to national development and job creation.
“When starting CTE in 1998 my dream for this company was larger than life, our obstacles were many but overcome with tenacity and perseverance.”
CTE Group Entities
Welcome to CTE Group, where excellence meets purpose.
As CTE Group, we understand that our success is intertwined with the success of our customers, employees, and the communities we serve. With a focus on sustainable growth and transformation, we continuously invest in talent development, fostering a culture of learning and innovation. By nurturing talent, leveraging expertise, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce, we are building a legacy that transcends generations.
CTE Investments stands as a testament to the transformative power of visionary leadership and community empowerment. We not only refurbish trains but also industrialise derelict sites in remote locations, creating opportunities for skills development and economic growth. With over 350 direct employees and thousands more benefiting indirectly, we are proud to be a driving force behind job creation and socio-economic advancement.
Join us on this remarkable journey as we reimagine the future of rail transport, revolutionising the way people connect and communities thrive. Together, let us forge a path towards a more interconnected, efficient, and sustainable world powered by the transformative potential of railways.
Since its establishment as the original site, CTE Touws River has experienced remarkable growth in skill, confidence, and capacity. Our dedicated team consistently strives for excellence, meticulously considering factors such as time, cost, and quality. Employing approximately 220 individuals, CTE Touws River continues to be a thriving hub of expertise and commitment.
CTE’s unwavering commitment to service excellence positions it as a sustainable employment provider in the Touws River community. Many members of the local community have been trained by CTE and now work at the Touws River facility. Moreover, CTE remains dedicated to ongoing training initiatives, empowering these individuals to enhance their skills and become specialists in their respective areas.
At present, CTE Touws River is engaged in the refurbishment of Shosholoza Meyl Mainline coaches, as well as 10M commuter coaches, alongside the ongoing refurbishment work on the 5M2A Commuter Coaches. Moreover, they have consistently, achieved the prestigious ISO 9001 certification, quality accreditation that underscores the unwavering commitment to exceptional quality standards in Touws River.
CTE prioritises our customers and upholds the highest standards of quality, resulting in an industry-leading in-service fleet. The Technical Support division boasts extensive expertise in 5M2A, 10M, and Shosholoza Meyl coach technologies.
Meanwhile, the Fleet Management division ensures that all CTE coaches are commissioned and ready for delivery to customers, consistently achieving an impressive availability rate as well as mean time between failures. Our prime location, just a short distance from the PRASA depot in Salt River, further enhances our operational efficiency.
Our team operates seamlessly within the customers operations ensuring a responsive and flexible warranty support.
Leadership Team
Our Executive Committee Management Team plans and develops policies aligned with best practices, monitoring the Group's financial matters and regularly re-evaluating strategic plans for future growth.
Principles & Standards
Mission & Vision
With a robust growth and future expansion of our business, “CTE’s vision is to be consistent leading providers of unquestionable superior engineering solutions to the rail industry”.
With a strong vision at the forefront, we need to pursue our mission to “Ensure a profitable growth which will build strong shareholders value and customer success by aspiring to the highest standard of engagement in all our business areas”.
To obtain a well-placed success, we consistently strive towards delivering our vision and increase our competitiveness.
Ethical Business Conduct
The guiding principles of how CTE pursues its mission and long-term strategic plans are the cornerstone of its core values.
These values include:
- Integrity, honesty, trust, and service excellence.
- Imbibing a culture of fairness, respect, dignity, and employment equity.
CTE consistently reflects these values in its policies and principles, as well as its Code of Conduct.
Commitment to Quality
“CTE strives to exceed customer expectations and be the best-in-class in everything we do”
CTE delivers high-quality products that exceed customer standards, manage quality effectively, and continually improve our ISO 9001 compliant Quality Management System. Our culture of direct employee involvement drives quality objectives, and staff share responsibility for achieving our goals. Directors and senior management are committed to maintaining and improving our Quality Management System for the best products and services.
Safety of Our Employees
CTE prioritises health and safety, striving for hazard-free workplaces and injury prevention. We follow our Health and Safety Policies and Procedures to achieve zero employee injuries, comply with safety regulations, and regularly evaluate and improve our OHS practices to mitigate risks. Each CTE entity provides resources for policy implementation and accountability.
BBBEE
CTE prioritises equitable and non-discriminatory employment policies, supporting the Government’s BBBEE Programme and prioritising employee equity and black economic empowerment. Our BBBEE initiatives include employment equity, skills development, preferential procurement, enterprise development, and corporate social investment. We assess each CTE entity annually, impacting the group’s contribution level. CTE Investments achieved a Level Two contribution and will maintain and improve policies and programs.