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Construction News

DOUBLE ACCOLADES FOR CONCOR AT CONSTRUCTION AWARDS

by Media Xpose November 10, 2022

Demonstrating once again its professionalism and construction excellence, Concor has been highly commended in two categories of the 2022 Construction World Best Projects awards, held in Sandton this week.

The first commendation was in the Building Category, while the second was in the AfriSam Award for Sustainable Construction – recognising Concor’s success in enhancing environmental awareness in construction. Both awards relate to the recently completed Ikusasa building in the Oxford Parks precinct in Rosebank, Johannesburg. According to Concor contract manager Martin Muller, the demanding project gave Concor the opportunity to show its colours.

“This was a complex project that we conducted with a fast track approach, requiring real agility and focus,” says Muller. “Not only did we complete it in just 12 months from start of earthworks to handover, but we also achieved ‘World Leadership’ level in green building standards.”

The four storey, three and a half basement building was handed over in February 2022 for occupation by blue chip company Anglo American Global Shared Services – who recognised Concor by awarding a Certificate Award of Excellence to the company.

“Our team of professionals co-ordinated over 70 subcontractors on site,” he says. “Our scope of work included the fit-out of the entire building, coordinating the installation of all fittings and fixtures before handover.”

The Concor team for the Ikusasa project on the topped out structure.

In terms of the sustainability achievement, Concor worked with Ikusasa’s developer and team of consultants to push the boundaries of sustainable design and construction. The building achieved a 6 Star Green Star SA Office v1.1 Design and a Net Zero Carbon Level 1 Base Building certification.

“The 6 Star accolade confirms that this project is world class when it comes to minimising its environmental impact – both in the construction process and in the building’s operation,” Muller says.

Ikusasa was designed with sustainability features throughout, including solar and waterwise sanitary fittings, wet waste composting, recycling and a range of energy efficiency interventions. To earn the Green Star rating, Concor applied a range of processes and features that reduced the building’s environmental impact. This included meeting three key requirements before construction even commenced: a Waste Management Plan (WMP), an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and a Hazardous Waste Management Survey on existing buildings.

“During construction, we applied strict performance strategies to manage water use, energy consumption, process waste and pollution to uphold critical environmental standards,” says Muller. “For instance, we re-used or recycled about 70% of demolition and construction waste, rather than sending it to landfill.”

To achieve this, waste was separated at source into waste recycling storage facilities for paper and cardboard, plastic, glass and cans as well as metals. This ensured that rubble, wood, steel and plastic was sorted into dedicated skips. By preventing contamination between different waste streams, waste could be recycled more cost effectively.

“We also used concrete mix designs with a lower carbon concrete wherever possible, including all slabs,” he concludes. “Concor reduced the portion of ordinary Portland cement in its concrete mixes by 30% on average, while also achieving 60% recycled content in its steel requirement.”

November 10, 2022 0 comments

Construction News

GOOD NEWS FOR E CAPE AS RUMDEL PROGRESSES WITH R63 ROUTE

by Media Xpose October 5, 2022

A safer and less congested road on Section 13 of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL)’s busy R63 route in the Eastern Cape is on the horizon as Rumdel Construction Cape continues apace with road, bridge and other work.

Rumdel Construction Cape project manager Alistair De Lacy says the project is also having plenty of positive spin-off for local subcontractors, suppliers and workers. Two years into the project, the contractors have engaged over 70 small business – or targeted enterprises – and about 90 will benefit by the end of the project in October 2023.

“To build their capacity while ensuring compliance with the required standards, Rumdel trains, mentors and supervises targeted enterprises at all stages of the project,” says De Lacy. “The contract has provided work for about 800 people, of which about 570 are local.”

Construction materials leader AfriSam is supplying the cement for all structural elements of the contract – for the most part with its High Strength 52.5N Cement. This is ensuring high quality results for the project’s three new bridges, two bridge widenings, 12 cast-in-situ box culverts and V-drains.

About 4,100 m³ of durability concrete has been poured for the monolithic decks of three bridges, 2,600 m³ for the culverts and 7,000 m³ for side drains and channels. AfriSam is also supplying its specialist road stabilising Roadstab Cement, of which 1,300 tonnes are going into road by-passes and 4,500 tonnes for the main works.

On the over 2 km length of Campbell Street, the main road through Fort Beaufort, a 650 mm pavement with a 40 mm asphalt overlay has been constructed. Before the road could be completed, though, the street’s drainage, sewer and water networks were rehabilitated. This task included the complex marrying-up of new networks with the old systems.

On the 20,4 km rural route between Fort Beaufort and Alice, the road is being widened to 13,4 m – with considerable vertical and horizontal alignment for gentler curves and more gradual slopes. This requires fills of up to 15 m, leading to the project’s total fill volume being expected to reach 680,000 m³.

“A key element of the project has been the early completion of 12 cast-in-situ box culverts along the route,” says De Lacy. “This allowed us to place fill material and let it settle for the required five-month duration before proceeding.”

Extensive bridge widening and construction is included in the contract. On either side of Fort Beaufort, two bridges have been widened – over the Kat and Brak rivers respectively. On the route to Alice, a new 65 m bridge is being constructed over the Mxelo River. Two road-over-rail bridges – the Kwatinidubu and Kwezana bridges – are being replaced.

4 800 tonnes of AfriSam’s Roadstab Cement will be used for road stabilisation.

AfriSam is supplying its High Strength Cement for all the structural elements of the contract.

By August 2022, over 70 targeted enterprises have been involved and this number is expected to increase to around 90 by the project’s close.

October 5, 2022 0 comments

Construction News

SA Institute of Steel Construction: Forging a strong future for the local steel sector

by Media Xpose June 23, 2022

Despite the current turmoil in the Ukraine / Russian war zone, South African steel supplies have not been badly affected, even though these warring countries are two of the world’s largest steel producing and exporting countries – together accounting for some 20 percent of the European Union’s imports of finished steel products. Nonetheless, the local steel industry still faces challenges of its own, which the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) is poised to assist with.

This is according to Amanuel Gebremeskel, Technical Director at the SAISC.

Steady SA steel supply

“As the champion and voice of the steel value chain in South Africa – as well as those with an interest in the use of steel in all sectors of business and society as a whole – the SAISC has been observing the situation in the region. We are satisfied that the war in Europe will not create a local steel supply shortage – at least for the moment,” Gebremeskel advises.

“It should also be noted that as a country, we are a primary steel producer ourselves, and an importer of steel from China – so there is still a steady supply of steel currently. Nonetheless, we are keeping a careful eye on the availability of supplies, and other local challenges which must be addressed,” he adds.

In this vein, the Institute is focused on driving forward momentum, to assist the local steel industry in tackling its challenges and pivoting to make the most of new opportunities as the economy improves.

“The SAISC is well-known as a custodian of steel industry knowledge and standards – from the creation and sale of popular technical publications, to offering training and assisting with technical queries relating to steel construction and structural engineering. We are proud of our willingness to innovate, adapt and be an industry trailblazer!” comments Denise Sherman, SAISC Marketing Director.

Sherman points out that following two years of the global Covid-19 pandemic, and several years of steel sector difficulties prior to that – resulting in downsizing and significant job losses and hardship – the sector requires a champion now more than ever.

‘Voice’ of the industry

Gebremeskel observes that the steel industry plays an important role in South Africa’s economy. “As such, the SAISC has been the sector’s official representative body – pioneering and championing its interests, innovation and development – since our founding in 1956,” he says, “and the Institute is respected for its reservoir of authoritative technical knowledge, and its role as the collective ‘voice’ of the steel construction industry.”

In fact, with access to over 60 years’ worth of local steel industry project case studies, and an impressive number of experienced and highly-qualified team members, the SAISC is one of only 6 Institutes of its kind in the world – and an extremely valuable resource for the local steel industry.

“It is our particular strength to be able to see the bigger picture, while liaising with role players and organisations across the steel value chain. From engaging with the primary steel producer, merchants and fabricators – to consulting with engineers, specifiers and architects on technology and design recommendations – we play a key role for decisionmakers across the steel industry,” he explains.

The SAISC therefore encourages interested and eligible professionals to join as members – particularly engineers and fabricators – and also looks forward to partnering with an increased number of large engineering companies, which perform such a key role in building the nation.

“In this way, we hope to play a unifying role: helping South Africa to reindustrialise and thereby strengthening our economy. We are currently hard at work on one of the most important events in our annual calendar – the SAISC Steel Awards – which celebrates the use of steel in both industry as well as daily life, and showcases our role in fostering a spirit of innovation and a paradigm of excellence across South Africa’s steel value chain,” he advises.

Remaining relevant and current

Gebremeskel explains that before the pandemic, the SAISC was already looking at how it could improve its contribution to the industry and thereby the economy as a whole.

“As South Africa moves into a post-Covid recovery phase,” he explains, “we are looking towards the future, and embracing new ways of interacting – as well as returning, where it is relevant, to those aspects of our operations that have worked optimally for us in the past.”

Sherman adds that during the lockdown period, the SAISC and its members – like most organisations around the world – adopted a remote and digital way of working. “This model definitely kept the wheels turning during the first two years of the pandemic, and was a sign of how the SAISC is always willing to evolve in order to remain as a ‘business as usual’ operation during these difficult times,” she says.

At the same time, this reflects that the SAISC was changing to keep pace with a younger average industry age of its engineers, and the onboarding of a new digital generation. The Institute is also revamping its website – making it more accessible, in line with its current digital and modernising drive.

Nonetheless, industry has traditionally always enjoyed – and prospered – through in-person contact, Sherman concedes.

“We have therefore already started implementing face-to-face meetings again, wherever possible. In essence, we are preparing to foster a hybrid future, in which we continue to embrace digital working, while preserving our strong heritage of facilitating in-person relationships and networking.”

Local steel industry can ‘shine’

Sherman notes that the SAISC is very excited about playing its part in the reinvigoration and repositioning of the local steel industry: “The revitalising South Africa’s downstream steel industry is something that we strongly endorse. The steel industry as a whole is able to drive job creation and assist with the rebuilding of the economy.

In fact, the South African steel industry has a real opportunity to ‘shine’, not just locally but in terms of being a primary steel producer and therefore being able to export steel, given the supply chain issues currently at play in Europe and the United States. We look forward to building on our proud history and our ongoing willingness to innovate, working together with our members, both current and those who are yet to join,” she concludes.

June 23, 2022 0 comments

Construction News

Managing construction waste is part of a greener future

by Justin May 12, 2022

Climate change is now everyone’s concern, and black women-owned construction leader, Concor’s efforts to operate more efficiently and sustainably include the way it deals with its construction waste.

According to Leah Nwedamutswu, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) officer at Concor, the company’s commitment to ‘zero harm’ embraces staff, the community and the environment. Growing awareness of climate change imperatives has led the company to develop performance strategies to carefully manage water use, energy consumption and process waste.

“This includes preventing pollution emanating from our industrial processes, which means spreading this message to all staff and subcontractors on our project sites,” says Nwedamutswu. “Our critical environmental standards are in place, and we actively assess and manage our risks and opportunities.”

The environmental management plans (EMPs) and authorisations of Concor’s clients are also embedded in the daily work processes, ensuring that the company can play its role in supporting the client’s compliance responsibilities.

Waste management system prioritises separating waste at source

This commitment has recently been expressed by Concor at its projects in the Oxford Parks mixed-use precinct in Rosebank, Johannesburg, where it is proceeding with its sixth Green Star-rated building. Nwedamutswu highlights the company’s waste hierarchy system, which it has applied over the years to ensure that waste is effectively reduced, reused and recycled.

“We have a detailed and ongoing focus on the natural resources that we consume in construction, and recognise that these are finite and precious,” she says. “The care with which we manage our waste also enhances health and safety on site.”

The waste management system prioritises separating the waste at source, and dedicates human resources to ensure that building rubble, wood, steel or plastic is properly sorted and placed in the right containers or skips. This prevents contamination of the various waste streams, allowing each stream to be more efficiently and cost effectively recycled.

“Implementing our system requires both discipline and education, especially as we employ many smaller companies as subcontractors, who may not initially give the same priority to environmental protection,” she says. “We therefore actively communicate our policies and requirements, and expect our partners on site to be as serious about waste management as we are.”

Monitor the integrity of waste supply chain

Specialised recycling service providers play an important role in Concor’s waste management supply chain, as they help to optimise the levels of waste that can be recycled.

Dumping in landfill is considered an absolute last resort, and this must be kept to a minimum. Even building rubble can be pulverised and re-used in certain applications, as long as it is not contaminated by other materials.

“Our strict policies require that we also monitor the integrity of our waste supply chain, to confirm that the various streams of waste actually go where they are supposed to,” says Nwedamutswu. “This is done by double-checking the weighbridge documentation we receive from our waste service providers, and these must match our own records of waste leaving the site.”

www.concor.co.za

May 12, 2022 0 comments

Construction News

Construction technology can help to mitigate natural disasters

by Media Xpose May 12, 2022

by: Bongani Dladla

The devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal should focus renewed attention on the contribution that the construction and engineering sectors can make to provide sustainable shelter for marginalised communities.

“Build back better” has become a core theme of government’s efforts to reshape South Africa’s socio-economic landscape in the wake of the revelations about state capture, the sharp economic downturn, and the ravaging impact of a global pandemic.

The phrase takes on a deeper meaning in a wake of natural disaster that wreaked havoc on low-income communities, claimed the lives of hundreds of people, destroyed infrastructure, and will cause untold hardship in the region for months to come.

The South African construction and engineering sectors should come forward to contribute to the rebuilding efforts and to offer their expertise to decision-makers on how future calamities can be mitigated.

This can be achieved by both large and established companies within the sector as well as emerging enterprises who are often rooted within communities and have extensive knowledge and expertise about practical solutions that can be implemented to ensure higher levels of sustainability.

The Construction Industry Development Board – cidb – can play a pivotal role through our actions to promote effective and efficient infrastructure delivery extensive database of research material on construction and engineering in a developing economy.

In recent months the cidb has become an important clearing house for research on the benefits that can be derived from 4^th industrial revolution trends and the application of green technologies in the building industry. Such research complements our primary mission to transform the construction sector through inclusivity, high ethical standards and championing the participation of emerging contractors.

Sadly, the urban profile that has developed over decades in the flood-afflicted areas around eThekwini has become a feature of many cities on the African continent and in the rest of the developing world. Nearly a quarter of the South African population live in informal settlements. People build structures on open spaces that are located close to economic opportunities.

A growing number of informal settlements are springing up in risky areas that are vulnerable to flooding, landslides, and other natural disasters. Moreover, such settlements lack access to basic amenities such as storm water drainage, well-constructed roads, waste removal services and other basic municipal services.

This situation is replicated across the African continent. In a recent study the non-profit organisation, Habitat for Humanity, concluded that floods and droughts, taken together, account for 80% of deaths and 70% of economic losses linked to disasters in sub-Saharan Africa. Recovery from such disasters is costly and takes long to achieve. The provision of temporary shelter, housing repairs and the replacement of household goods represent at least 50% of total post-disaster recovery costs.

As we brace ourselves for the next wave of extreme weather it makes sense that we start planning for worst-case scenarios. Across the globe home builders and public sector regulators are looking at enterprising solutions to improve the ability of homes to withstand future natural disasters.

This will require a “whole-of-society” approach. The different spheres of government will have to improve their planning processes to guide future housing development and to bring communities closer to economic opportunities in a more structured manner. Communities should be better informed about the dangers inherent to building structures on steep slopes or within low-laying flood plains.

Following his visit to the flood ravaged areas President Cyril Ramaphosa made it quite clear that there will be a renewed focus on the performance of local government in the delivery of service such as sanitation, waste removal and road construction – all factors which aggravated the impact of the floods.

But this is also an opportunity for the construction and engineering sectors to come up with technological solutions which can contribute towards more resilient structures. The reality is that materials used in the building of houses in low-income settlements are mostly substandard and not able to withstand recurring floods. Access to good quality building materials depends on income levels, and low-income communities living in flood-prone areas mostly use substandard building materials to construct their dwellings.

Recent advances in construction technologies and building materials offer affordable solutions to such communities. Across the globe the industry is increasingly looking for measures which utilise low-cost technologies and require low technical skills. The emphasis is on the utilisation of existing skills and resources within communities to produce resilient building materials.

The South African construction and engineering sectors should be leading research in these fields and offer their technical know-how and skills in finding solutions. This knowledge is also found within emerging enterprises where contractors have acquired vital experience through their participation in local construction activities.

The cidb – as a body which promote the interest of the emerging construction sector – can play a vital role as a clearing house for research and knowledge and by ensuring small and medium enterprises play a critical role in the reconstruction of disaster-affected areas.

* Bongani Dladla is the acting CEO of the Construction Industry Development Board.

May 12, 2022 0 comments

Construction News

Paintsmiths passion for the environment reflected in eco-friendly & non-toxic paint ranges

by Media Xpose May 5, 2022

When it comes to selecting paint for your home or office, there is so much choice that making the final decision can be difficult. Paintsmiths is known for pushing the boundaries in product development and has made significant gains in environmentally conscious technology and the aesthetics of its coatings offerings. We talked to Elna Wessels from Paintsmiths who offers some insights.

Paintsmiths offers a full range of eco-friendly, non-toxic paints, not only for finishing top coats, but a full range of primers too. These products fall under the Midas Envirolite Range. All top coats in this range, for example, Midafelt 225 (matt finish), Midalux 240 (satin sheen finish), etc have zero VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and contain no lead.

Paintsmiths also have an entire range of specialized textures and finishes that have these qualities. These paints fall under the Earthcote range, with products like Pandomo, Limestone, Granite, and Worn Leather, to name a few.

“Earthcote has become a very popular product to create stylish and unique feature walls,” says Wessels.

Choosing an eco-friendly and non-toxic paint

Wessels emphasises that it is vital to look at the level of VOCs in the paint and to get as close to zero VOCs as possible, as these are the ingredients (e.g. Formaldehyde and Glycol) in paints and other materials that have an adverse effect on human and animal health.

All Midas Envirolite products are approved by the Green Building Council and are used in 5-star Green Buildings.

Wessels says that Paintsmiths’ paint chemists have been able to adapt as they learn more and more about the negative effects some chemicals have on the environment. They can then remove these harmful chemicals and yet, make a paint that is as durable, if not more so, than the previous products manufactured.

Interior paint colour trends for 2022

According to Wessels, for 2022 colours, comfort is key.

“We want our living spaces to be calm and to help us rejuvenate but also to rediscover our zest for life. Paintsmiths has learned through the decades that colour is as personal as a person’s fingerprints and that goes for regions as well. What works in Ballito is not necessarily the colour that works in Centurion. Paintsmiths’ colour palette forecast is therefore unique for each region. However, the general theme is ‘calm and bold’.”

Calm neutrals and bold accents

In a countrywide survey conducted by Paintsmiths at the end of 2021, it was revealed that the most popular colours fit into two categories across all regions – calm neutrals and bold accents.

Geneve from Paintsmiths Kramerville recommends ‘Almost There’ for a comforting neutral palette, complimented by ‘Fruit Brown’ – inviting nature into the home and office environment. Add a pop of colour with ‘Mystique‘ and ‘Peppercorn‘ for that forward-looking local resilience.

Carl Bruckner, owner of Paintsmiths Kramerville, Sandton advises that ‘Intense Teal’ is the colour to keep an eye on.

Matthew Macloud from Paintsmiths St Francis and Port Elisabeth, and Mark Joubert from Paintsmiths Longbeach, agree that Greys still play a dominating role in terms of palettes for 2022. Popular greys include Millstone, Nguni, Hello Grey, Filament, Arniston White and Almost there. ‘Dirty’ pastels are also gaining popularity.

Sasi Paton from Paintsmiths Durban says that in her region, she can summarise the colour palette in three words – Ocean, Bush and Sand. Examples of this for neutrals include ‘Almost There’, ‘Bleach washed table’, ‘Arniston White’ and ‘Millstone’. Accent colours include ‘Hoop Iron’, ‘Scaffold plank’, ‘Mystique’ and ‘Peppercorn’.

May 5, 2022 0 comments

Construction News

Master Builders Solutions providing Concrete Repair Solutions

by Media Xpose April 21, 2022

Master Builders Solutions has formulated a range of systems conforming to local and international standards that meet the rigorous demands of property owners, contractors and the ever changing climatic conditions and environmental pollutants encountered during the construction and repair of concrete structures.

Our repair and protection solutions extend concrete structure’s lifespan with safe and proven products that have been developed with the understanding of the chemistry behind the process of concrete degradation. The correct and timely maintenance of concrete structures is essential to guarantee they reach their designed lifespan. However, when deterioration does occur, a repair methodology should be applied taking into consideration both the environment and the causes of the damage to the structure.

Master Builders Solutions’ range of MasterEmaco repair mortars are formulated to resist cracking and to be compatible with the parent concrete of the structure. MasterEmaco products deliver excellent performance due to our understanding of the chemistry involved in the hardening of cementitious products and the incorporation of the latest advances in hydration control. Master Builders Solutions combines these advanced repair products with MasterProtect anti carbonation coatings, protective coatings and passive cathodic protection to create systems that help to reinstate the building’s original design characteristics and prevent further degradation. Our portfolio also includes sound solutions for rehabilitation of wharves, bridges, roads, tunnels, buildings as well as sewers and water retaining structures.

Master Builders Solutions Polymer based injection resin systems are designed for the repairing and sealing of cracks in concrete. Our Masterlnject resins for structural crack repair are often used in conjunction with our MasterBrace or MasterEmaco products. The Masterlnject polyurethane and MasterSeal acrylic injection resins are chosen for the control of active water infiltration and are used in conjunction with our MasterSeal waterproofing products.

April 21, 2022 0 comments

Construction News

High-performing filter aid is the new benchmark for filtration

by Media Xpose April 12, 2022

Filtration is the separation of solids from liquids by forcing the liquid to flow through a filter aid. The fundamental problem posed by filtration is how to maximise clarity and flow rate, which are two desirable yet conflicting parameters. Percolite® filter aid from Pratley achieves just that, highlights Pratley Marketing Director Eldon Kruger. “The accurate size classification and the unique structure of Percolite® filter aid leads to one of the highest flow-rate to clarity ratios possible.”

Percolite® is a natural product, which means no taste, colours, or odours are transferred to the filtered product. Due to its low density, Percolite® has a high flow rate combined with exceptional clarity. Percolite® can be used in oils, wine, fruit juices, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and industrial filtration applications.

“From experience, current filtration mediums can easily be switched to Percolite® without impact on the performance of the process,” says Kruger. This is particularly true for customers converting from Diatomaceous earth filter aids to Percolite®.

Apart from the health hazards and high prices associated with Diatomaceous earth, customers who have converted to Percolite® observe lower pressure differentials across their filter cake, ultimately translating to higher production outputs. Percolite® densities are also in the region of 50% less than Diatomaceous earth. The cost-saving when converting to Percolite® is therefore significant.

Pratley has a state-of-the-art filter aid production facility that represents the most advanced plant on the continent. Here proprietary technology processes Perlite raw material to produce the high-quality filter aid. The manufacturing process is ISO 9001-2015 certified. Percolite® meets the standards listed in the food chemicals codex published by the US National Academy of Sciences and is a Halaal certified product. Pratley is also a member of the International Perlite Institute.

An advanced R&D laboratory supervises the quality control of the final product. Sophisticated test equipment includes a laser particle size analyser, turbidity meters, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopes, viscometers, an atomic absorption spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and filtration flow rigs.

It ensures stringent quality control and allows Pratley to thoroughly analyse customer liquids to recommend the most suitable Percolite® grade for the job. Grades can be manufactured and tested to meet customer requirements. Percolite® applies to almost any industry requiring fine liquid/solid separation:

Food & Beverage: Wine, oil, starch, beer, glucose, fruit juice, syrup

Pharmaceutical: Antibiotics, enzymes, Epsom salt

Chemicals: Acids, resins, polymers, adhesives, hydrolysed vegetable protein

Industrial: Water treatment, oil and solvent recovery, industrial fillers, heavy metal solutions, industrial chemicals, platinum-bearing solutions, copper-cobalt-nickel solutions, titanium solutions, electroplating solutions, dry cleaning

Coatings and paint: Varnish, waxes, gums, textured paints, oils, polishes

Environmental: Oil and petrochemical clean-up, water filtration

Pratley has supply depots located in Gauteng, Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth offering countrywide sales and support. The product is professionally packed and supplied in food-safe packaging.

Connect with Pratley on Social Media to receive the company’s latest news

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PratleySA/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PratleySA

April 12, 2022 0 comments

Construction News

Signs of growth in construction following pandemic downturn

by Media Xpose March 18, 2022

Employment in the construction sector has grown by 17% in the past year with more than 156 000 new jobs created in the 12 months leading up to the second quarter of 2021, however, it should be noted that this growth is coming off a low base in 2020Q2 when there was a lockdown and very low activity taking place.

“These are encouraging signs that construction and engineering is recovering from the economic downturn and the impact of the pandemic, and benefit from expected higher levels of investment in infrastructure, says Bongani Dladla, the acting Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).

However, there has been sharp decline in employment since 2017 and the number of people working in both formal and informal construction is currently at the same level as in 2014.

The quarterly figures are based on own research conducted by the CIDB through its SME Business Conditions Survey, as well as the quarterly labour force survey and quarterly employment statistics released by StatsSA.

Construction industry an important player in job creation

Dladla says the construction industry is an important player in job creation with an impact on a range of other sectors such as manufacturing, mining, transportation, real estate, and business services.

Construction is one of the industries that have higher employment shares relative to its contribution to the gross domestic product. The sector accounts for 8% of total formal employment while its share of nominal GDP is 2.5%.

Between the second quarters of 2020 and 2021 the number of people employed in construction increased by 156 000 on a year-on-year basis and 143 000 on a quarter-on-quarter basis.

The figures show that employment in the formal construction sector accounts for 65% of jobs in the industry and 35% in the informal construction sector, says Dladla. Since 2009, jobs in the informal sector grew by 3.5% while there was a decline of 0.4% in the formal construction industry.

By the end of the second quarter of 2021 the formal construction sector employed some 476 185 with the bulk of people (56%) working in civil engineering and some 38% in general building.

The effect of the downturn, the Covid-19 lockdown and the lack of demand for construction is reflected in the job losses that were experienced in the sector. At the end of 2021Q2, StatsSA Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) showed that construction employment declined by -2.4% year on year, -6.4% in civil engineering and 3.4% general building.

“Construction constitutes 16% of employment in the informal sector, which is a significant contribution,” says Dladla. During the period under review there was an 11% growth in job opportunities on a year-on-year basis.

Informal sector tends to grow during economic crises

Studies by the International Labour Organisation show that the informal sector tends to grow during economic crises because it acts as a default option for survival or maintaining income, this is also reflected in the growth of the construction informal sector as compared to the construction formal sector.

The informal sector includes the self-employed in micro-businesses that are not registered for income tax or VAT as well as short-term and casual employees. Most of these enterprises have linkages with the formal sector through subcontracting and the provision of labour-only services.

Dladla says the CIDB’S research indicates that the shortage of skills is one of the biggest constraints for business growth experienced by contractors. This shortage also drives up the cost of labour resulting in decreased profit margins for small and medium contractors.

The CIDB B.U.I.L.D Programme announced by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister in 2020, is designed to provide workplace learning opportunities to university and college graduates to grow skills for the construction industry.

March 18, 2022 0 comments

Construction News

a.b.e. Construction Chemicals CELEBRATES 90 YEARS

by Media Xpose February 25, 2022

It took courage, back in 1932, to start a new business while an impoverished world was in the middle of the most severe economic depression ever. Yet the Durban founders of African Bitumen Emulsions did just that. Today, 90 years later, their brave new enterprise, now called a.b.e. Construction Chemicals, is very much alive and a dynamic market leader in sub-Saharan Africa.

a.b.e.’s stature started to grow in 1939 when it became a supplier of bitumen to what were then Natal municipalities and further similar operations were subsequently established in Johannesburg in 1940, in Cape Town in 1950, and then Port Elizabeth in 1953. Over the years, a.b.e. has grown in size and diversity to become a major supplier of specialised construction products to the building, civil engineering and building maintenance industries. Products are supplied through branches as well as builders’ merchants and hardware stores. Now part of the Saint-Gobain global group, a.b.e. has factories in Boksburg and Durban, and a network of branches and distributors throughout South Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Indian Ocean Islands.

Some of the bitumen-linked products produced in Durban so many decades ago have become household names in the hardware industry. Back in 1949, for example, a.b.e.’s perennial bitumen liquid waterproofing product, super laykold, was launched to pave the way for what is now an extensive and trusted range of waterproofing products that include the bitumen/acrylic blend waterproofer, super laycryl, which has also earned the trust of generations of users.

a.b.e. started a flooring and adhesives division in 1946 with the brands, abescreed and epidermix, leading the way. Today, 76 years later, these products are still in great demand and are but two of a large and well-known a.b.e. range for the flooring and adhesive sectors.

a.b.e. has also brought top global technology to our shores. It holds local distribution rights for the full range of protective coatings and joint fillers produced by VIP (Voelkel Industrie Produkte) in Germany, internationally renowned Polyurea producers; and for Dowsil (formerly Dow Corning) renowned Belgian manufacturers of silicone sealants for the structural bonding of glass, metal and other building components. a.b.e. has also locally supplied the waterproofing range of Italy’s Index, the world’s leading producer of bitumen waterproofing membranes, since 1993.

a.b.e. expanded the direct supply of specialised products through a new Retail Division in 1997 which has grown from strength to strength since with the familiar a.b.e. red and black packaging now prominent throughout Southern African hardware outlets.

In recent years, a.b.e. clearly showed that it is now indeed a high-tech modern company with several progressive developments, such as new ‘Best Practice’ innovations, to boost productivity. Research and Development initiatives have optimised product performance and quality: the company now holds ISO9001 accreditation for its Boksburg, Isipingo, and Mount Edgecombe factories as well as other operations. a.b.e. has also strived to be a responsible producer environmentally with its modified powdered products helping to reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint. a.b.e.’s “dustless” cementitious powders, as well as new low VOC waterproofing range, have been widely acclaimed.

Rob Winter, a.b.e. GM, says, as a.b.e. moves towards a century of operations, the company has no intention of resting on its laurels.

https://www.abe.co.za/timeline-90-years-of-abe/

February 25, 2022 0 comments