The company was founded by Gerrit Smith and Jacques van Niekerk who have about 27 years of experience between them.
Gerrit is a trained artist and sculptor who grew up in the remote Namaqualand region of South Africa. Here his love for wildlife and the veld was instilled from a very early age. After school he acquired a National Diploma in art with sculpture as a major. He then worked as museum taxidermist at the Bayworld Museum Complex in Port Elizabeth for 17 years. Here he was involved in every form of taxidermy - from small insects to whales, sharks, fish, frogs, lizards, mammals, reptiles, as well as dioramas. He also made museum and educational displays.
Gerrit is a master mold maker and expert in all forms of casting in rubber, plaster, resin, polyurethane, etc. It gives him great joy to do taxidermy and to spend some time in the African bush. Gerrit specializes in bird and fish taxidermy and sees to all educational requirements as well.
Jacques grew up on a farm in the Karoo, near the small town of Richmond. He has more than ten years experience in all forms of taxidermy and especially loves mammal taxidermy. He grew up playing in the veld and loves nature. His studies was completed in Port Elizabeth where he acquired a National Diploma in agriculture. Jacques specialized in shoulder and full mounts.
Jacques is also a qualified scuba diving instructor and micro light pilot.
THE STUDIO
Tanning is done to the highest international standards. The company is certified by the South African Department of Agriculture to export game trophies. They are also certified to dip and pack trophy material which is exported to top taxidermists abroad.