Celebrating 40 Years of Cleaning South Africa: The Journey of Kwiksolve, a multi-purpose cleaner
- Ella Tatar
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
Updated: 15 hours ago
This year marks a monumental milestone for Le Mans Chemical's star product, Kwiksolve—40 years of dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to providing the best cleaning solutions for homes and industries. From humble beginnings in Cape Town to becoming a trusted household and industrial name in the Western Cape, our journey has been nothing short of inspiring. As we celebrate this achievement, we’re excited to share how we’re growing bigger, expanding our reach by manufacturing & supplying in Pretoria, Gauteng.
From Grease-Stained Hands to a Game-Changing Formula
Our story begins on the racetracks of the automotive world. Back in the early 1980s in the Cape region, our founder was not only a passionate car racer but also a hands-on competitor. With every victory, he proudly celebrated, yet one challenge persisted: the stubborn, greasy stains that clung to his hands, a constant reminder of the limitations of the degreasers available at the time.
Frustrated by products that couldn’t keep up with the demands, he set out on a mission. Backed by the knowledge and skills in chemical industry and driven by determination and an innovative spirit, he developed a powerful formula capable of erasing even the toughest oil and grease stains. This breakthrough in 1985 not only solved his immediate problem—it sparked other ideas in cleaning solutions and set the foundation for Kwiksolve, a multi-purpose cleaner & degreaser. The product achieved instant success and drew the attention of major companies in the automotive and industrial sectors in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as there were few versatile and cost-effective options available on the market at that time.
From a Small Workshop to a Multi-Purpose Cleaner Powerhouse
Originating in the Cape region as a modest innovation, Le Mans Chemicals rapidly gained popularity among mechanics, industrial workers, and households. Over time, the company expanded to George and Mossel Bay, extending its reach beyond automotive cleaning. Its flagship product, Kwiksolve, became a trusted name in the George area, renowned for its reliability and effectiveness. Go to George & Mosel Bay areas now ask random people about Kwiksolve, trust me, most of them will tell you that they use it or know someone who does. There are many successful stories that will be told in one of our next blog posts.
Milestones That Shaped Our Journey
1985 – Birth of Kwiksolve in Cape Town
Our founder, a former race-car driver fed up with ineffective degreasers, hand-mixed the very first ammonia-free Kwiksolve batch in his garage—launching a new era in multi-purpose cleaning.
1991 – Expansion to George & Mossel Bay
Rapid local success led us to open new supply points in George and Mossel Bay, bringing Kwiksolve’s powerful cleaning to more automotive shops, households, and restaurants.
1993 – SABS Tests Passed
Kwiksolve passed the South African Bureau of Standards’ rigorous tests—SABS 1828 for food-industry use and SABS 1344 for industrial applications—validating both safety and performance.
2000s – Manufacturing more products
Building on our ammonia-free core, we invested in greener ingredients and manufacturing other products like dish wash, car wash, hand soap, and back-to-back with Kwiksolve, our star product, however, due to very high competition back then were pulled from the market.
2023 – Digital Transformation & Rebrand
Covid got us all caught off guard, I'd say, therefore, it was difficult to move on without building digital platforms. We launched a revamped website, interactive how-to guides, and social channels—making cleaning tips, customer support, and online ordering accessible nationwide.
2025 – New Pretoria Production Facility
Marking our 40th anniversary, we opened a new plant in Pretoria to boost capacity, efficient supply chain, and ensure Kwiksolve stays on shelves — and in homes — all across South Africa.
Proudly South African. Locally Trusted.
A Bold New Chapter: Growth & Expansion in 2024
This year is a landmark moment for Kwiksolve. In celebration of our 40th anniversary, we’re embarking on a bold new chapter to meet growing demand and set new industry standards:
New Production Facility in Pretoria, Gauteng: To keep pace with our expanding market, we’re moving our production to Pretoria. This upgrade ensures enhanced production capacity and efficient supply chain.
Expanding Retail Presence: We’re excited to announce that Kwiksolve multi-purpose cleaner & degreaser will soon be available in more retail stores than ever before. Currently, we are available in Midfeeds, Kylami. Our aim is to ensure that our trusted cleaning solution is never out of reach, whether you’re shopping locally or online.
Digital Transformation: Building on our successful digital launch last year, we are continuously enhancing our social online presence. From an updated website to interactive cleaning guides and customer support, our digital platforms are designed to offer convenience, education, and engagement.
Our Commitment to Safety & Customer Service
At Kwiksolve, innovation isn’t just in our past—it’s woven into the fabric of our future. Our formula remains at the cutting edge of cleaning technology: powerful, versatile, and eco-friendly. We’re committed to:
Safety First: Our ammonia-free formula is safe for households, industrial applications, and even delicate surfaces like painted walls.
Customer-Centric & Cost-effective Innovation: Every new milestone is driven by feedback from you, our valued customers. We continue to listen, adapt, and evolve to meet your cleaning needs better than ever. We strongly believe that in the ever-changing economy, a multi-purpose cleaner should not be expensive.
Looking Ahead: A Future Filled with Promise
As we celebrate 40 years of Kwiksolve, we’re reminded of our humble beginnings and inspired by the endless possibilities ahead. With a new facility in Pretoria, an expanding retail network, and a robust digital presence, we’re poised to reach even greater heights. Our journey is far from over—in fact, the best is yet to come.
Join us as we continue our commitment to making cleaning easier, safer, and more effective for every home and industry. Here’s to 40 years of innovation, and to many more years of solving your toughest cleaning challenges.
Join us in celebrating 40 years of innovation and excellence. Let’s Kwiksolve-it—together!
If you would like to try our multi-purpose cleaner today, please click here:
Available in George, Mossel Bay & Pretoria. We distribute nationwide.
Stay tuned to our blog for more updates, cleaning tips, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of Kwiksolve. Thank you for being a part of our journey.
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