The firm was established in East London on the 4 July 1951 by Alex CHEW and became the town’s first Consulting Engineering practice. From 1965 the firm practiced as Chew, Bowen and Mercer. Later the firm practiced as Chew Bowen Marais and grew to have an office in each major centre. With the change in the dynamics of the industry the firm now operates as CBM Africa represented in East London.