![Johann Keller](/sites/keller-africa-za/files/styles/milestone_image/public/2018-10/johann%20keller.jpg?h=abcff2a1&itok=ODUkVokO)
1860
Johann Keller established
![Edgard Frakignol](/sites/keller-africa-za/files/styles/milestone_image/public/2020-11/edgard-frankignol.jpg?h=bdf679a8&itok=KmVPiu-Q)
1909
International patent registered by Edgard Frankignoul, a Belgian Engineer, for the "frankipile".
1930
Keller invented the vibro ground improvement method.
1946
Franki Piling Company South Africa (Pty) Ltd. registered, operating out of Cape Town, with Mr. Wally Rowland as Managing Director.
1960's - 1970's
Large contracts such as Alusaf Bayside Smelter in Richards Bay, the Mondi Paper Mill in Durban and Iscor in Newcastle were secured, helping Franki to establish itself as the leading piling company in South Africa.
![1st edition Frankipile guide to piling and foundation systems](/sites/keller-africa-za/files/styles/milestone_image/public/2020-12/1st-edition-frankipile-guide-piling-foundation-systems.png?h=e5f92090&itok=kY8uXRtV)
1976
Franki launches the 1st edition of the Frankipile Guide to Piling and Foundation Systems, written and compiled by IH Braatvedt.
![2nd edition of Frankipile Guide to Piling and Foundation Systems](/sites/keller-africa-za/files/styles/milestone_image/public/2020-12/2nd-edition-frankipile-guide-piling-foundation-systems.jpg?h=d0368420&itok=MPPkWSxG)
1986
Franki launches the 2nd edition of the Frankipile Guide to Piling and Foundation Systems, revised and updated by JP Everett.
1987
Establishment of Geofranki, a specialist division, providing for the "non-piling" geotechnical services, e.g. lateral support, soil improvement, etc.
![heavy foundations at hillside aluminium smelter](/sites/keller-africa-za/files/styles/milestone_image/public/2020-11/piling-hillside-smelter.jpg?h=5656f936&itok=2TAw8bmx)
1992 - 1993
Hillside Aluminium Smelter mega-project undertaken in Richards Bay.
![3rd edition Guide to Practical Geotechnical Engineering in Southern Africa](/sites/keller-africa-za/files/styles/milestone_image/public/2020-12/3rd-edition-guide-practical-geotechnical-engineering.png?h=4fc0bbe1&itok=SgYusYb8)
1995
Establishment of a fully fledged Technical / Design Department.
Franki launches the 3rd edition of the Franki Book - renamed A Guide to Practical Geotechnical Engineering in Southern Africa, re-written and updated by G Byrne, JP Everett, K Schwartz, EA Friedlaender, N Mackintosh and C Wetter.
1996
First South African geotechnical contractor to be awarded an international ISO 9001 Quality Management System listing.
![piling works at Mozal Aluminium smelter](/sites/keller-africa-za/files/styles/milestone_image/public/2020-11/piling-mozal-smelter.jpg?h=ba418849&itok=WjBC7IdT)
1998 - 2002
Mozal Aluminium mega project, Phase 1 and 2, in Mozambique successfully executed, despite challenging geotechnical conditions.
Hillside Aluminium Smelter expansion successfully executed by installing the deepest Franki piles ever recorded, at 25m.
2006
Merger with Esor Limited to effect the exit of the non-executive shareholders and the introduction of a BEE partner.
![earth retention at gautrain rosebank station](/sites/keller-africa-za/files/styles/milestone_image/public/2020-11/earth-retention-gautrain-rosebank.jpg?h=fce08c90&itok=wm2B5w9y)
2008
Franki secures a large portion of the geotechnical works on the multi-billion rand Gautrain Project.
![4th edition The Guide to Practical Geotechnical Engineering in Southern Africa](/sites/keller-africa-za/files/styles/milestone_image/public/2020-12/4th-edition-guide-practical-geotechnical-engineering.png?h=b8a1451d&itok=OmDxRf3u)
2008
Franki launches the 4th edition of A Guide to Practical Geotechnical Engineering in Southern Africa, revised and updated by G Byrne and AD Berry.
2013
Franki joins Keller, the largest independent geotechnical contractor in the world, who is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
![ground improvement using rigid inclusions at clairwood logistics park](/sites/keller-africa-za/files/styles/milestone_image/public/2020-11/ground-improvement-clairwood-rigid-inclusions.jpg?h=e9ed81df&itok=KmcmtCpb)
2016
Franki - A Keller Company celebrates its 70th Anniversary and secures Clairwood Logistic Park, the largest rigid inclusion project by a Keller company.
![5th edition A Guide to Practical Geotechnical Engineering in Africa](/sites/keller-africa-za/files/styles/milestone_image/public/2020-12/5th-edition-guide-to-practical-geotechnical-engineering-africa.png?h=add9e6e6&itok=wk2Xk57c)
2019
Franki - A Keller Company launches the 5th edition of A Guide to Practical Geotechnical Engineering in Africa, revised and updated by G Byrne, Dr N Chang and Dr V Raju.
2021
Franki Africa is rebranded to Keller and merges with Keller Middle East to become one Business Unit - Middle East Africa.