The story behind the Fix a Flat franchise

“Chemvulc”, South African manufacturer of tyre and tube repair patches and solutions, formed Fix a Flat in 1994. Fix a Flat is designed to be an entrepreneurial opportunity to bring small business development to areas where professional tyre services may not be available.

Chemvulc has three factories in Gauteng making high quality tyre and tube repair products and wheel balance weights, which have become South Africa’s market leaders. These quality products are also exported to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Kenya, Israel, Egypt, Australia and Romania. Chemvulc also distributes tyre valves, airline equipment and tyre gauges, tyre tools and accessories through its sales offices and stores in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit and Polokwane.

In his travels through Africa, John van Niekerk, founder of Chemical Vulcanising Systems, saw an opportunity for small business development in tyre repair shops. In many places, damaged tyres were thrown away when there are, in fact, systems available to safely repair them. Also, premises to do this work seemed scarce – hence the idea to use a converted container.

Delivering a new business!