Strong brands are not built alone – That was one of the clearest messages to emerge from the 2026 On Tap Conference, where franchise owners, suppliers, strategic partners and industry leaders gathered under the theme “From Shift to Momentum” for a multi-day event focused on growth, relationships and the future of the South African plumbing and bathroom industry.
With 36 years in the industry, the conference reflected not only on how far the group has come, but where it is heading – as a future-focused, integrated supply partner built around technical expertise, trusted relationships and premium customer experiences.
All images supplied by On Tap
Led by managing director Johan van Wyk, the conference focused heavily on strengthening franchise and supplier partnerships while aligning the group around long-term growth and evolving industry expectations.
“At the core of On Tap has always been the strength of the relationships behind the business,” says Johan van Wyk, managing director at On Tap.
“This conference is about far more than products or sales,” says van Wyk. “Strong partnerships cannot be measured by spreadsheets alone. They are built through consistent communication, mutual trust, shared values and a genuine commitment to helping one another grow. That human element remains one of the greatest strengths of our network and continues to shape the way we approach the future as a brand.”
A major focus throughout the conference was the evolving role of specialist retail within the plumbing and bathroom space.
As customers increasingly look for technical advice, project support, design inspiration and trusted service – rather than simply products – discussions centred around how independent specialist networks continue to add value across both trade and retail environments.
The conference also welcomed media personality Darren Maule as Master of Ceremonies, bringing energy and humour to the event, while brand ambassador Mike Aranjo added to the people-driven culture that continues to define the group.
One of the standout moments of the conference was the introduction of Contour, a new brand welcomed into the On Tap portfolio as part of the group’s continued investment into growth and evolving market opportunities.
Recognition and partnerships
This year’s awards evening introduced a refreshed approach to recognition, placing stronger emphasis on partnership, collaboration and operational excellence across the network.
The newly introduced Supplier Excellence Awards recognised brands that consistently support stores, customers and the wider franchise network beyond product supply alone.
Hansgrohe, represented by Erwin Minnie, received top honours for its ongoing commitment to innovation, premium product quality and partnership excellence, while Gio Plumbing, represented by Wendy and Jonty Thurtell, achieved second place for their strong collaboration and continued support within the group.
Store recognition remained another major highlight of the evening.
The Most Improved Franchise Award was presented to On Tap Salt Rock under the leadership of Craig de Villiers, recognising the store’s exciting new location, expansion and continued investment into premium customer experiences, project support and servicing one of the country’s fastest-growing luxury residential and contractor markets.
The Brand Ambassador Award went to Pertisna Lohr-Mietzner and the team at On Tap Mossel Bay for consistently representing the brand through operational excellence, strong marketing participation and beautifully executed designer home projects showcased within the South African market.
The prestigious Franchise of the Year Award was presented to Miguel and Fernando Soalheiro from On Tap George, recognising the remarkable momentum achieved since joining the group. Following the successful revamp and continued growth of the store, the award celebrated their commitment to operational excellence, elevated customer experiences, strong team culture and the rapid way in which they have embraced and strengthened the On Tap brand within the region.
The evening also reflected the depth of leadership and talent across the wider On Tap network, with several franchisees and teams receiving recognition from supplier partners for excellence across service, growth, operational standards and brand representation.
Among those recognised were Scott Haslam and the Durban team, Eugene Reynders leading the Paarl store, as well as John Becker and his team from On Tap Pietermaritzburg, whose consistent performance and partnership strength stood out throughout the conference.
Emerging leaders within the group were also acknowledged, including Matthew Le Grange and the growing Hoedspruit branch, highlighting the exciting future of the next generation within the On Tap network.
“The industry is evolving quickly,” adds van Wyk.
“Customers expect more than ever before – better service, stronger technical knowledge, trusted advice and premium experiences. What gives us confidence is knowing that we are evolving alongside the right franchisees, suppliers and strategic partners who share that same vision for the future of the industry.”
As the conference concluded, the message across the network was unmistakable: The future of the industry will not be built by businesses working in isolation, but by strong partnerships, shared standards and a collective commitment to moving the industry forward together.
For On Tap, that momentum has already begun.
Source Supplied by On Tap
