I was only ten years old when my father let me listen to the crisp sound of a free-flow exhaust system that he had installed onto a 1960 Ford Taunus. Inspired by the famous Italian brand exhaust systems of the time, he hand-crafted a silencer and booster type that he would customize for many a motor enthusiast’s car, mainly for that sound. “but that is not all,” my father said, “it also goes much faster.” Little did i know that his hobby would become my life-long career, to develop and manufacture high performance exhaust systems. Early in the 1960’s, the first custom free-flow exhaust systems were manufactured and installed to motorcars at our small workshop north of Pretoria at Wonderboom airport. From a hobby to a fully-fledged manufacturer of exhaust systems in South Africa. The De Graaf family name became synonymous with our exhaust systems. Rally legends of the time would not attempt a race without having a DeGraaf system installed to their rally cars. The reliability of our exhaust systems was a surety to the rally drivers, not to get stuck with a broken exhaust halfway through the race. During those pioneering years, motorsport contributed to a growing demand for aftermarket exhaust systems. The opening of exhaust fitment centres in the 1970’s led to an expansive growth in the automotive aftermarket industry. Franchise groups established in the market and the demand for manufacturing and supply of exhaust systems grew exponentially. In 1980 we expanded to a larger facility, to cater for the growing demand of exhaust systems in the fitment industry. Our signature free-flow systems extended to other market segments – industrial power generators, heavy vehicles, mining – all need silencers. We at DeGraaf have a passion for developing exhaust systems that will improve power, save fuel and have a good sound. Our specialised high-performance system is our leading product in the off-road and adventure market and is preferred all over the country. Over the past years DeGraaf integrated with South Africa’s aviation sector. Growing up next to an airfield, my love for airplanes was inevitable. With the vast development of light sport aircraft all over the world, we are at the foreground of developing and supplying our exhaust systems to this market. Passion is what drives us at DeGraaf. Being in the exhaust industry for 60 years, makes us one of the most trusted business entities in South Africa. We are a proud company, with proud personnel and a wonderful customer base that secures our future.