Paxton hires top talent in South Africa

Issue 1 2021 News & Events, Access Control & Identity Management

The international access control and video surveillance manufacturer Paxton announced it will continue to invest in new talent to accelerate expansion into the South African market. In support of this strategy, Paxton welcomed two new members to the team in 2020 and is anticipating further growth to support customers.


Graham Thorne and Ruan Smit.

Ruan Smit joined Paxton as regional sales manager for the Eastern and Western Cape. He has extensive experience with Paxton’s range of access control, video surveillance and door entry systems from his previous role with Paxton’s exclusive distribution partner, Regal Security Distributors. His addition to the team allows Paxton to focus on sales implementation and execution of their ongoing business strategy.

Smit commented: “We have a mountain to climb in 2021; as a team we are passionate and dedicated to achieving our regional goals, and to be honest, we wouldn’t want it any other way. With teamwork, passion and Paxton’s award-winning range of products I have the upmost confidence that the South African team will soon become the go-to security solution of choice in all regions.”

Paxton also welcomed Graham Thorne to the team as the territory manager for South Africa. Graham has spent over twenty years creating and implementing innovative, results-driven strategies that add to bottom-line profitability. He has worked with some of the world’s most renowned OEM brands across sub-Saharan Africa and the MENA territories and the company is confident that his track record of successfully driving top- and bottom-line growth will positively impact Paxton’s success.

Thorne commented: “I have been privileged to work with a number of diverse teams in my career, but a more passionate one I’m yet to find. We are a team that blends experience and enthusiasm remarkably well, brought together by a singular mindset of elevating the Paxton brand and the extensive range of products to where they deserve to be within our market, which is right at the very top.”

Smit and Thorne both join Werner Geldenhuys, Paxton’s regional sales manager for the North West, Limpopo, Free State, Gauteng and Mpumalanga territories. Geldenhuys has been with Paxton since 2013 and has been at the forefront of some of the most prestigious Paxton sites in South Africa.


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