Stephen Grobler

Owner and Founding Member

Stephen is an experienced Architectural Joinery Designer and Manufacturer with a demonstrated history of working in the design industry for the last 30 years. Skilled in Sketchup, Interior Design, Design Research, Project Management and Space Planning, with an Exemption focused in Carpentry and Joinery from George Campbell Technical High.

Stephen started in the industry in 1987 in Natal, as a carpenter, joiner and cabinet maker for 3 years, after which he qualified as a Master Craftsman in carpentry and joinery. With a desire to learn more and expand his knowledge, Stephen gained experience in Construction Technology in the Civil Engineering Field and then at Infacom, in ITI (Infrastructure of Telecommunications Industry) as a Project Manager focusing on erection of the GSM (Cellular) network.

During this time, Stephen studied Structural Engineering, Land Surveying and Quantity Surveying, qualifying as a Civil and Structural Engineer and Construction Technologist, assuring his expertise in total solutions, from planning, design and sourcing the right materials, to manufacturing, installation and finishing.

To these ends and to compliment his knowledge, he also became a junior draughtsman and in 1995, Stephen launched his first company, SG Consultants and Building Services, encompassing all aspects of the building industry.

Three years later, Stephen moved to Johannesburg, initially sub-contracting for carpentry at development sites and as a private contractor fitting kitchens and flooring for new developments.

In 2003, Stephen started his own factory, Fine Woodwork and Flooring out of his 18m² garage, which by January 2004 evolved into Wood and Floor Interiors, with 80m² of factory space due to the incredible growth to match increasing demand. The Company proceeded to grow relentlessly throughout that year and by 2005, had increased in size to 167m² and by 2008, was 287m².

The company continued to grow by 2011 and had relocated to a factory space that accommodated the required 700m² and in 2015, evolved again into Green Leaf Kitchens, bringing Stephens dream of supplying sustainable green living to people’s homes.