Our Story
The definition or meaning of Lichen: Lichen is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria living among filaments of multiple fungi in a symbiotic relationship. Symbiotic relationships are a special type of interaction between species. Sometimes beneficial, sometimes harmful, these relationships are essential to many organisms and ecosystems, and they provide a balance that can only be achieved by working together.
The Lichen Group has a saying: “The client is the profit, Lichen is the overhead-how can we help or serve you?”
“Let’s work together symbiotically for mutual gain”.
We look forward to growing mutually with our clients in the mushroom, horticulture, agriculture,
hydroponics, berry farm’s-and related growing market sectors.
Meet The Team
Dave Marock
Managing Director of Lichen Group
Kunaal Mehta
Director of Lichen Group
Harish Mehta
Executive Chairman and CEO of Clearwater Capital
Our Story
Follow Lichen Group’s journey from humble beginnings to where we are now.
1979
Start Kärcher
Dave Marock starts selling Kärcher.
1984
Progression Nuclear Vacuums
Dave Marock supplies Nuclear vacuums to Koeberg via Sorma.
Starts Hazmat journey.
1990
Founded DCS Kärcher & Sorma WC
Design Cleaning Systems-DCS Kärcher and Sorma Western Cape formed.
1994
Acquisition SpillSorb Agency SA
SpillSorb Agency SA acquires Design Cleaning Systems-DCS Kärcher and Sorma Western Cape, supplying Dried Sphagnum Peat, purchased via an agent, for the Hazmat industry to deal with Hydrocarbon and Chemical spill clean-ups.
1998
Acquisition & Founded Servest Ltd
Servest Ltd acquires DCS Kärcher -Sorma- Vac Air-Numatic-3M and SpillSorb nationally.
Under Servest Ltd, 24 Hour Spill Response and Waste Care is established.
Dave Marock is MD of the cleaning division Kärcher -Sorma 3M MD, SpillSorb, Waste Care and the hazmat division being SpillSorb and 24 Hour Spill Response.
2002
Acquisition & Founded Servest Ltd & Marhal cc
Servest Ltd delists and sells Waste Care to Wasteman.
Marhal cc t/a SHEQPlus is established on 6th November 2002.
Marhal purchases back SpillSorb SA and 24 Hour Spill Response.
2006
Merger SpillSorb & 24h Spill Response
2005/2006 Zero Harte Peat Sales. View Document
Marhal trades as SHEQPlus and merges the SpillSorb and 24 Hour Spill Response entities into a new group called Earthwize Environmental Group. Marock introduces Mathews Phosa to Earthwize Group, who becomes a shareholder. Earthwize secures SunGro agency and starts supplying SunGro Peat to the mushroom industry under trade name Echo Horticulture.
2007
Progression Earthwize
Earthwize secures Harte Peat Ireland Agency (one of only 3 wet dug black peat suppliers worldwide) in response to demand for wet dug black peat from the mushroom industry.
2007
Progression JF McKenna
Start selling JF McKenna products. Start selling Harte Peat in SA.
2008
Signing Irish Agreement in SA 14 January 2008
From from left: Dave Marock, Echo Business Solutions; Thomas O Harte, Harte Peat Ltd; Sharon Julian, Echo Business Solutions.
Back from left: Philip Robinson, Echo Business Solutions; Minister Michael Martin; Frank Fahy, CEO. Read More
2008
Acquisition Marhal
Marhal takes over the brands Harte Peat, Sun Gro, and Echo Horticulture from Earthwize. Millway Trade and Invest starts trading in November 2008.
2016
Founded The Lichen Group
Lichen Group is established as a B-BBEE group with Clearwater Capital (Pty) Ltd and supplies more than 80% of the South African Mushroom industries' Peat with a comprehensive range of products and services.
Get in Touch
Contact Numbers
Dave: +27 82 551 1305
Accounts: +27 82 446 3301
Operations: +27 82 304 0338
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Mailing Address
Postnet Suite 397, Private bag X15,
Somerset West 7129