Having a canopy on the back of a bakkie is essential in Namibia because a well-fitted canopy keeps cargo securely locked inside, and prevents it from theft or damage. Having a properly, designed canopy also offers much-needed cargo protection from harsh weather, and can assist in reducing wind drag that occurs with an open load bin. 

In fact, with the increasing popularity of bakkies in Namibia and the region, fitting a canopy actually increases the value of the vehicle. This is good news for bakkie owners, as the popularity of these versatile and rugged vehicles is only set to increase. This is because bakkies have the ability to navigate challenging and diverse terrains ,while also serving as valuable workhorses for businesses and farms of all sizes. 

One local firm, Starke Manufacturing, located in Windhoek’s Northern Industrial Area, has zeroed in on domestic canopy production by focussing on the niche market of custom canopy manufacturing. Well-known for its world-class sheet metal, stainless steel and aluminium manufacturing capability, Starke Manufacturing was recently approached by the Metje & Ziegler Group, which encompasses the largest motoring conglomerate in Namibia. 

Starke Manufacturing, as a 73-year-old Namibian company, seized the opportunity to diversify its sheet metal work by manufacturing custom canopies for vehicles within the M&Z Group, such as the JAC Motors T8 and T9 bakkies, as well as for the offroad special, the Ineos Granadier. Starke is able to produce a custom canopy for any vehicle brand. 

“We started with trailer canopies and other 4×4 accessories. We start with a 3D drawing of the canopy, encompassing the necessary dimensions, and we cater for all the specifics of the client, such as additional storage boxes, drawers or even tool boxes,” explained Bjorn Bierbrauer, manager and partner at Starke. He noted that usually, it takes about three weeks from design to delivery of the custom-made canopies.

Design engineer at Starke Manufacturing, Ewert Steyn, added that all canopies are inspected for quality, and are assembled in sections to ensure flexibility once installed. “We continuously improve our designs to ensure structural integrity. We use high-grade stainless steel or aluminium to manufacture our custom-made canopies,” he said.  

Starke Manufacturing has thus far received promising feedback on its custom canopies which have proven to provide significant benefits, including additional and reliable storage as well as much-needed security. Whether it’s for camping gear, tools, luggage or fodder, Starke canopies offer a secure and weatherproof solution for any bakkie’s cargo. 

Starke Manufacturing has been active in Namibia since 1951 as a sheet metal, stainless steel, aluminium, air-conditioning and ventilation specialist. 

Today, the company is one of the leading air-conditioning and ventilation suppliers in the country, and this is due to its extensive sheet metal background. According to Bierbrauer, canopy manufacturing is an ideal opportunity to diversify operations. The company, with a staff complement of 30 full-time and 10 part-time staff, is currently divided into two locations located in the Northern Industrial Area, namely the workshop and the warehouse.