International Power Products CC, Cape Town

Jane Smit began her career in the electronics industry by becoming the first woman in South Africa to qualify as a Merchant Navy Radio Officer. Following a brief sojourn into the world of medical technology, Jane did a spell at sea with Safmarine, before embarking on a career as a sales representative at Electronic Research Laboratories (ERL). This was followed by her own company, Jane Smit Agencies, sourcing and procuring difficult to find power electronic components. In 1996 Jane acquired International Power Products cc (IPP) which she still currently owns and operates. She adopts a very hands-on approach, and technical work and design is personally carried out by Jane to her own extremely fastidious standards. Although she still actively stocks and sells power electronic components, the core of the business has evolved into all things batteries and cordless power.