It is with deep regret and sadness that we announce the passing of Tiny Ison on 15 November 2024 after a short illness. Tiny was well-known to many of us in the South African foundry industry but he also had many international friends through his involvement in the industry for many years.

Born on 23 August 1943 in Kitwe in what was known as Northern Rhodesia, before changing to Zambia. His formative years were spent in Kitwe with his family which included sister Esme and his late brothers Brian, Les and Louis. Tiny and Brian worked together for many years while employed at Foseco South Africa, an international company that Tiny joined in 1980 and only retired from in 2008. He would subsequently continue his association with the company by acting as a consultant for them and as mentor to many that joined the company, until 2019.

Tiny met his wife Corrie in Kitwe and they got married in 1963. They had two children – Esme and Brett – and grandparents to four – Byron, Jarryd, Russel and Robert.

Tiny Ison

Tiny started off his working career on the mines in Zambia and qualified as a moulder in 1963. The family then moved to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Tiny took up a position at Bulawayo-based engineering concern, F Issels and Sons and he worked in the company’s iron foundry where he learned to work with most ferrous metals that the company cast. He would also gain experience on the non-ferrous side of the company before moving to the steel foundry.

Tiny subsequently would move the family to Harare, Zimbabwe where he took up a position with W S Craster, which is now known Craster International, and is one of the largest foundries in the region and has the largest machine shop in Zimbabwe.

Tiny would then move on to work for Risco (Rhodesian Iron and Steel Company. In 1980, after Independence, it was renamed the Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company – Zisco). After a period at Risco Tiny then decided to open his own aluminium die casting foundry before emigrating to South Africa in 1979.

His first position in South Africa was with Thomas Foundry and after a short while with them he was appointed Foundry Manager.

In 1980 Tiny ‘crossed the divide’ by joining a supplier to the foundry industry, namely Foseco, where he remained for the rest of his working career. Tiny would be appointed Sales Manager for Foseco and then later would be appointed as Sales Director for the company in South Africa working with colleagues such as Jeff Weeks, Ernie Ekron, Alex Lancaster, George Laurens, Bokkie van Bochove, Manie Gouws, Glenn Cowie, Enno Krueger, Stephan Coomans, Kobus Van Den Berg, his brother Brian, Mark Wynne and Warren Zandberg, to name a few.

After retiring from Foseco Tiny then became a mentor to many Foseco salespeople because of his knowledge of the foundry industry and because he was well respected and liked by many in the industry.

Bokkie van Bochove, who worked with Tiny at Foseco for 30 years and then remained great friends once in retirement and went on numerous fishing trips together recalls how Tiny was a keen sportsman. “He was a keen boxer when still living in Zambia and played rugby for Northern Rhodesia in his youth. He proudly used to tell us fondly how he played against a number of former Springboks such as Piet Greyling, Piet Visagie, Dawie de Villiers and Jan Ellis when the Boks toured as the Barbarians. He played in various positions including scrumhalf and flank.”

“He also ran the Comrades Marathon a couple of times, which in itself is a great achievement. He also loved his golf and would play whenever he could.”

“Another fascinating memory he told us was when he owned his own foundry in Zimbabwe, besides mainly doing die casting as his main function, he also had some iron and steel work to do. This resulted in him doing some experimenting and he changed the spec on SG by adding more manganese (mn) and called it Tinymite. The outcome was that he had a more wear resistant SG iron, similar to Meehanite.”

“When he joined Foseco and became Sales Manager he set up a good team and his knowledge and know-how kept Foseco as one of the leading foundry suppliers in the country.”

“He was a very astute businessman who had the highest integrity and morals, which rubbed off on his fellow colleagues.”

“I got to know Tiny very well and we had the same interests such as fishing and enjoying the odd cooldrink. Never once did I see Tiny get cross. He had a subtle way of getting the most out of people and always said don’t point a finger for there are three pointing back to you.”

“He was a perfectionist and always said I’m not a moulder but a sand artisan and a metal sculptor. With all his travels internationally with Foseco he always brought something back that could be used in the South African market.”

“Tiny was the best boss anyone could have. You could contact him any time and he was always willing to add value. Tiny had a good sense of humour and was always jovial which came with a somewhat naughty streak in him. Nothing was too serious for him.”

“Once at a customer the secretary said to the rep that Tiny was one of the best looking guys she had ever seen. When Glenn told Tiny his reply was it happens all the time. On another occasion I was with Tiny on a business trip and at breakfast he ladened the tomato sauce all over his toast. My chirp was: So you like tomato sauce! His reply was not really.”

Warren Zandberg, who regards Tiny as his mentor, had this to say: “Tiny pioneered the concept of Foseco being a service company attending to customer needs and searching for solutions to resolve their problems, rather than a company that manufactured products and sold them to clients.”

“Tiny would always be the first at the office and checking up on the production shop floor and the last to leave.”

“Tiny made sure that the sales reps had air-conditioners in their car so that by late afternoon they were still comfortable enough to make the call at the client. He believed that you should not visit a customer if you were not in the right frame of mind as this could negatively impact on the client and tarnish the relationship.”

“His focus was always customer driven and this leadership forged a direction for the Foseco team to this day. Tiny loved the foundry and had very good relations with customers. He was well respected in the industry and lived the Foseco brand on his heart.”

“Tiny was an amazing mentor that we respected and loved. We have lost a true gentleman and an industry specialist. May his soul rest in peace.”

Glenn Cowie, who would later move to Foseco in the UK and become the CEO of the company, said: “So sad to hear my first boss, mentor and friend Tiny Ison passed away recently. He was the best leader and foundryman I have ever known. Tiny taught us all so much. We are all heart-broken. Bokkie and I are putting a journal together documenting Tiny’s wonderful life and so many people he influenced and enriched as well as his contribution to the Southern African foundry industry so that his lovely wife Corrie has a brief glimpse into Tiny’s professional life and how we all loved him. We would greatly appreciate any contributions with stories and anecdotes about Tiny so that we can put it all together for Corrie, as well as share with the global foundry community what a great man he was. Please reach out directly to us. RIP Tiny we love you!”

Many other colleagues, peers and friends in the industry had nothing but praise for Tiny.
Roy Dias: “Such sad news. We at Endeco Omega Sinto and especially my late brother Luis Dias had some great memories of the times we spent with, Tiny, George, Bokkie, Manie and Glenn, at Foseco. From all of us our sincere condolences to Tiny’s family. A good man and a great loss to our industry. RIP Tiny Ison, you will always be remembered.”

John Taylor: “This is really sad news. Although I never had that much to do with Tiny it was obvious from the respect that he received from everyone at Foseco, as well as those in the foundry industry, that he was a great leader and a wonderful man. Super consistent. RIP Tiny.”

Wouter Retief: “I am sorry to hear about the passing of Tiny. Condolences to his family.”

Martin Reeves: “Passionate about inspiring and supporting the next generation. Sorry to hear this, a great loss but many fond memories to hold onto.”

Eugene Rossouw: “So sad to hear about Tiny’s passing, I have many fond memories of the ‘ice man’ at our escapades at the Begbie/Foseco golf weekend. They were special.”

Hayden Johns: “Yes very sad and I totally agree he had a great positive impact on all our lives.”

Craig Lazarus: “Tiny was a great foundryman and leader. I loved working with Tiny and always respected and looked up to him. He will be missed. Vale Tiny.”

Hugh Maxwell: “Sorry to hear this news. I think the other comments endorse what a great person Tiny was and the great impact he has had for so many others. Deepest condolences to his family and all those who he has truly touched in life.”

Dave Miller: “Terribly sad news. I had the immense privilege of having Tiny as my first boss and mentor. You will not find a nicer person or finer example of what a boss should be! RIP Tiny!”

Chris Byles: “So sad to hear. I only worked with Tiny for a brief time in South Africa but he put me straight on so many things. The thing I most remember about him though was his smile that just had a look and feel of someone who had seen it all and took in and gave so much in his life. A great loss. RIP Tiny.”

John Small: “He lived respected and dies regretted…..RIP.”

Tiny is survived by his wife Corrie, daughter Esme and grandchildren Byron, Jarryd, Russel and Robert. Sadly Tiny’s son Brett passed away in 2005.

Tiny will be greatly missed by his family, his ex-colleagues in South Africa, his long-standing friends and everyone who knew him. RIP Tiny.