Our Story

It was also during this time that the first meters of stretchable fabric and two sewing machines were purchased to manufacture leotards for the gyms and dance studios. Immediately, Hannes felt that he was now using his machines for something he believed in. Being fit himself was his dream and during this time he decided to start cycling and the first candidates he convinced to join him were his three children. Proper cycling shorts with chamois seat-inserts were almost unheard of in South Africa in those years. The stretchable fabric used for leotards was quickly put to use to manufacture our first cycling shorts. What an epic moment it was when Dad paraded with his first cycling shorts which he made himself! Meanwhile, Hannes joined a cycling club and his club members asked him where he got his cycling shorts. To hear that he had made them himself left them amazed and it was right there in the parking lot where the club members met on Saturday mornings that they decided our factory would manufacture cycling clothing for their club. A bunch of firsts followed the first cycling shorts. We learnt about the printing process called sublimation-printing. The first printing machine was purchased. The first cans of sublimation ink entered the factory and the first workers in the newly created printing department had to be trained. The fine art of sublimation printing had to be mastered immediately and the sewing machine workers had to learn how to insert zippers into shirts and chamois paddings into shorts.

In the saddle each cycling garment was organically developed as the needs arose over the years. Hannes is probably the person who collectively completed the most Argus events (34) and 94.7 races (23) consecutively. He also completed a number of AUDAX events. These events are extreme distance cycling events. He completed Edinburgh-London and Paris-Brest-Paris. His favourite events however were recreational cycling tours criss-crossing South Africa and Namibia. His engineering brain was always at work developing clothing that would make the sport of cycling more enjoyable. Sometimes, he came up with revolutionary inventions: e.g. UV arm-sleeves to protect riders and runners against sunburn (early 90’s). A reuseable, remove-while-riding Chest Warmer for cyclists (late 90’s). Ladies cycling bib-shorts with a zip on the lower back to allow women to quickly and easily take a nature break without getting undressed (2004). Anatomic was also the first to replace the chamois inserts in cycling shorts with open-cell synthetic paddings that would dry faster, not harden, not crack, and be more hygienic. To promote safety Anatomic developed a full range of high visible cycling clothing for the South African market. In 1994 Hannes immigrated to the “new” South Africa, he embraced the new SA flag and the first SA merchandise wear saw the light.