MILESTONES

1914

The Great War causes Salim Louis and his brother Michel to emigrate from Lebanon to South Africa, where they purchase a warehouse in Goddard Street, Bloemfontein and commence trading as general wholesale merchants under the corporate name 'Michel Louis & Sons'.

1931

The business outgrows its original premises, so the operation moves to the historic 80 Church Street property. This building is still owned by the Group and is regarded as the foundation of its property-based enterprise.

1933

Michel Louis imports an assortment of teas from Ceylon and, when selecting a name for his brand of teas, he chooses the first two letters of his first name - MI - and the first two letters of his surname - LO - and so the name 'MILO' was established. Nestlé later purchased this for their well-known chocolate malt drink named MILO.

1935

Michel Louis & Sons orders four tons of rice from a supplier. The request is processed incorrectly and an order of 40 tons is recorded. The supplier further misunderstands the order and 400 tons of rice is actually delivered. Despite the confusion, the Louis brothers choose to honour the relationship with their supplier and the dispatch is accepted. Shortly thereafter, the company finds itself in the fortunate position as the only wholesaler with rice available at a time when food is very scarce.

1955-1957

The Louis family business has grown into one of the largest wholesale merchants in South Africa. As a result, a six story building is constructed on the 80 Church Street property and a new showroom opens in Harvey Street to house the toy division, the largest in Southern Africa.

1959

The next Louis generation advances the business into real estate and leaves the wholesale business behind when Colia Louis, Salim's son, buys his first building and begins the re-direction of the family enterprise into a property investment and administration business.

1960s

Over 1 000 houses are constructed in Bloemfontein and a property broking division is launched.

1980s

Colia Louis sources a landmark building at a bargain price and offers it to an established client. The client's response, "If it's such a bargain, why don't you buy it?" inspires the formation of the Group's property strategy, which is to co-invest in property purchases and then maximise the investment by providing a comprehensive building management service.

1981

Michael Louis, Colia's eldest son, joins the family business and focuses his attention on spearheading property brokerage whilst completing his legal studies.

1988

Alan Louis applies for a PhD in Commerce and joins the family business in Bloemfontein.

1994

The Louis family enterprises, by then styled the 'Louis Group', relocates its headquarters to Cape Town and continues to apply the principles of Christian and family values upon which all their business interests are founded.

1998

After serving in the Group for ten years, Alan Louis takes on the role of CEO and he, along with other key leaders, continues to transform the Group beyond property into a diversity of enterprises.

2001

Alan Louis leaves with his family to pioneer the UK and European business opportunities for the Group.

2002

Alan Louis relocates with his family to England, choosing Stratford-upon-Avon as his base of operations in Europe. The Group makes numerous property acquisitions in England, Germany, Switzerland and the Isle of Man.

Louis Group opens its Isle of Man office, which serves as the fiduciary services centre for the Group's European affairs.

2003

Louis Group's technology division is awarded the prestigious infrastructure contract for the Cape Town International Convention Centre and also launches South Africa's first wireless vehicle security and surveillance device based on General Packet Radio Services (GPRS).

Louis Group Business Academy is established and is South Africa's first wholly-sponsored outcomes-based adult business programme designed on Christian and entrepreneurial principles.

2004

Alan Louis receives the Lifetime Achievement Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence from the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England.

2006

Louis Group concludes two significant property transactions with leading European property families.

2007

The inaugural Corporate Research Foundation (CRF) Publisher's Choice Award is given to Colia and Alan Louis. The award recognises long-standing achievement in business leadership and management excellence. A special mention is made of the way the Louis family inculcate high ethical principles throughout the organisation. Louis Group features in the Financial Mail Corporate Report, which highlights the Group's ninety-three years of faith, integrity and business savvy.

2008

Colia and Elizabeth Louis celebrate fifty years of marriage and Colia celebrates sixty years of service in the family business.

2008

Louis Group is awarded the WQC International Star Award at the World Quality Commitment Convention. Alan Louis and his father, Colia, are awarded 'Top Executive Management Team - 2008/09' and 'Best Managed Company in the Real Estate Sector - 2008/09'. Louis Group is also listed in Best Employers South Africa 2008/09 and SA's Leading Managers 2008/09.

Cambridge Executive Education, at Cambridge University Judge Business School in the UK, announces its partnership with Louis Group Business Academy. This announcement features in Financial Times. Louis Group Asset Management SA opens its Zurich, Switzerland office.

2009

Louis Group Business Academy launches its internationally accredited business programme in the UK in association with Cambridge University Judge Business School.

Louis Building, the Group's award winning flagship office building in the UK, opens in Stratford-upon-Avon.

2010

The global recession impacts on Louis Group and key strategic changes are implemented globally.

2011

Given the global economic storm, Banque Louis (previously Louis Asset Management) takes the decision to halt its banking operations in Zurich. Alan decides to relocate the banking operations to a jurisdiction favouring investment banking.

Louis Group Chairman, Colia Louis, is presented with the prestigious Social Impact Leadership Award for 2011 by the University of Stellenbosch Business School.