Two Durban women help protect the lives of soldiers and security personnel around the world. Louisa Garland-Els and Frances Lingris manufacture body armour. The eight-year-old business was founded by Louisa. Imperial Armour makes bullet-proof vests, bomb blankets, riot shields and ballistic helmets. The company exports to the Middle East and the rest of Africa. Locally, they supply the Durban Metro Police, Cape Town traffic police and private security companies.
Louisa (45) was born in England. Eight years ago, she helped her father run his body armour company in South Africa. When his company folded, she remained in South Africa and started her own company. Frances is her managing director. Louisa has won the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry Award and the Transnet KwaZulu-Natal Exporter of the Year Award for the second consecutive year. She has two young daughters.
