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Civil Engineering and Construction

Industry body hones in on five key focus areas

By: Halima Frost 18th February 2022 Industry body Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) has identified five key areas to focus on this year to mitigate challenges faced by industry and the country, following its Biannual Economic and Capacity Survey 2021, or BECS 2021, released in June 2021. The first key priority is to increase... →

Manufacturer hosts training day for SMMEs

18th February 2022 Local cement and construction materials manufacturer AfriSam hosted 60 small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) from different communities surrounding its Jukskei and Eikenhof quarries, both in Gauteng, for a one-day training session. The event, named ‘Correct use of cement in concrete,... →

A group of SMME entrepreneurs at the Afrisam ‘Correct use of cement in concrete, plaster and mortar applications’ day held in September

FIRM FOUNDATIONS Afrisam offers SMME Training to ensure its clients know when, how and why to use the various construction materials it has on offer

Sector key in economic recovery

18th February 2022 National construction industry body Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) acting CEO Bongani Dlala says the construction sector can lead South Africa’s recovery as the country emerges into a post-Covid-19 economy, but only if emerging contractors are empowered. This was the consensus... →

Challenging project brings Swoosh to Soweto

By: Halima Frost 18th February 2022 Steel and tube supplier Stewarts & Lloyds Robertville has successfully completed a steel fabrication project for global brand Nike in the newly developed Shapa Soweto Training Centre, in Soweto, Gauteng. The project entailed the fabrication of a roofing structure, made of 406 individually made... →

A red roof made of Y8 Rebar bent at various angles to create a Swoosh effect for client Nike at the Shapa Soweto Training Centre

NIKE? NICE! The Nike Swoosh effect was successfully created through various bends on a rebar based roofing structure at the Shapa Soweto Training Centre

Shopping centre development well under way

18th February 2022 Last month, Centurion-based construction company Tri-Star Construction announced it had been selected as the main contractor on the development of the Mamelodi Square Shopping Centre in Pretoria, Gauteng. The release explains that rural retail development specialists McCormick Property... →

An artists depiction of what the Mamlodi Square Shopping Centre will look like once completed the project undertaken by McCormick Properties was awarded to Tri-Star Construction

'CENTRE' OF ATTENTION Construction of the Mamlodi Square Shopping Centre started last month

First 3D printed house in Kenya

18th February 2022 In October the first three-dimensional- (3D-) printed demonstration house was constructed by sustainable and affordable housing group 14Trees in Nairobi, Kenya. The house is also the first 3D-printed house to achieve the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Excellence in Design for Greater... →

A 3 D home made by using the COBOD BOD2 3D construction printer, at a test site in Nairobia Kenya headed by housing firm 14Trees

PRINTING PROPERTY The Demonstration house made by COBOD for Kilifi project in Kenya has been approved and construction of 52 similar houses will start in the first quarter

LED light improve vision on site

By: Nadine Ramdass 12th November 2021 Multinational manufacturer Atlas Copco’s H6 plus light tower uses light-emitting-diode (LED) lights to improve on the previous H5 plus light tower used at construction sites. Atlas Copco power technique business line manager David Stanford says conditions at a construction or mine site can be... →

An image of Atlas Copco's H6+ Light Tower

H6+ LIGHT TOWER The latest extension of Atlas Copco's range offers wider range with compact design

New heavy-duty excavator launched in South Africa

12th November 2021 CASE Construction Equipment, a brand of CNH Industrial, has launched the long-awaited CX 220C LC heavy duty excavator in South Africa, to strengthening its position in the local market. This globally renowned excavator, which is manufactured at the company’s plant in India, Pithampur, is said to... →

An image of CASE Construction’s CX 220C LC heavy duty excavator

CX 220C LC HEAVY DUTY EXCAVATOR The new excavator is designed for tough conditions

Sector pushes for transformation amid contraction

By: Nadine Ramdass 12th November 2021 While government is planning transformational megaprojects to benefit the construction sector, data from sources, such as Statistics South Africa, show that “the sector has been in a permanent state of contracting for some time”, says construction company Motheo Construction Group nonexecutive... →

An image of Motheo Construction's non-executive director Gregory Mofokeng

GREGORY MOFOKENG Industry needs to reflect demographics of South Africa

Hospital benchmarks in sustainable healthcare facilities

12th November 2021 Consulting engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Zutari provided design and construction supervision of the mechanical services, as well as environmentally sustainable design (ESD) consulting, at the new Cintocare Hospital in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria. It is the first Green Star South Africa... →

CINTOCARE HOSPITAL Zutari provided design and construction supervision for the hospital build

The road ahead for the civil engineering and construction industry

By: Nadine Ramdass 12th November 2021 As the year draws to a close, frustrations have been growing over the slow recovery of South Africa’s civil engineering and construction sector – and the knock-on effects to the wider economy. The sector saw a 20.3% contraction in 2020 and is expected to have grown just 6.2% in real terms this year. →

An image of SAICE president Vishal Krishandutt

VISHAL KRISHANDUTT Sector is in need of infrastructure projects injection

Construction industry holds key role in economic recovery

By: Nadine Ramdass 12th November 2021 While the South African gross domestic product has seen some growth in the last four quarters, the construction industry remains key to expediting economic recovery and creating jobs, according to privately-owned construction company GVK-Siya Zama CFO John de Sousa. De Sousa has been at GVK-Siya... →

An image of GVK-Siya Zama CFO John De Sousa

JOHN DE SOUSA Investor confidence has improved

Hope for construction amid resilient infrastructure development

By: Simone Liedtke 12th November 2021 While private-sector involvement remains crucial in the delivery of infrastructure projects, diversified infrastructure and services construction company Concor CEO Lucas Tseki says the public sector “still plays a leading role in developing and maintaining resilient and sustainable... →

Concor CEO Lucas Tseki

OLI South Africa

27th July 2021 Making business simpler for customers, while going global with a first-class product, has proved successful in establishing industrial vibration technology company OLI as the world’s top-selling supplier of vibration equipment. The OLI product is distributed in Southern Africa by its subsidiary... →

Partnership ensures basket of training opportunities

12th February 2021 Manufacturer Gabion Baskets has partnered construction training specialist Tjeka Training Matters to provide practical instruction in the installation of its products. Under this new arrangement, customers will receive a certificate of competency from the training provider once they have... →

ROCK SOLID TRAINING The partnership between Gabion Baskets and Tjeka Training Matters aims to raise the standards of gabion structure installations in South Africa

Industry body seeks purposeful rebuilding

By: Darren Parker 12th February 2021 The Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) theme for this year is: Rebuilding with purpose. This is aimed at encouraging the engineering and construction sectors to pursue the rebuilding of the sector and the economy in a more conscious and mindful manner so that all South Africa’s... →

SUGEN PILLAY
Cesa’s call to purposefully rebuild the economy and infrastructure will aim to foster an enhanced social compact between all industry partners and stakeholders

Photo by Creamer Media
SUGEN PILLAY Cesa’s call to purposefully rebuild the economy and infrastructure will aim to foster an enhanced social compact between all industry partners and stakeholders

Food warehouse expansion under way

By: Darren Parker 12th February 2021 Construction connection technology supplier Peikko South Africa has embarked on the second phase expansion of a production and warehousing facility for a food manufacturer in Johannesburg. The first phase was successfully completed last year and the second phase is under way, Peikko South Africa... →

DANIEL PETROV Installations on site are expected to start this month

Heritage building facelift under way

By: Darren Parker 12th February 2021 Construction contractor Icon Group is conducting bulk earthworks and demolitions in the Johannesburg central business district as part of a construction project aimed at developing a new Title Deeds Office for the City of Johannesburg. The project, a partnership between the city and the... →

ICONIC BUILDING REFURBISHMENT The project is centred around a 120-year-old heritage building, which needs to be preserved

Strategic forethought hindered by crisis mindset

By: Darren Parker 12th February 2021 With South Africa’s fiscus placed under immense strain as government attempts to combat the effects of the pandemic, South African Institute of Civil Engineering (Saice) CEO Vishaal Lutchman fears that owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the country’s leadership is in “head down crisis mode”, with... →

VISHAAL LUTCHMAN Government has not prioritised infrastructure development for the past decade and it will likely not prioritise it in 2021 either

Collaboration could eliminate challenges

By: Mamaili Mamaila 13th November 2020 Although the construction industry offers many opportunities for collaboration between consultants and contractors, these opportunities are often not fully explored. “This results in contractual disagreements, and a disjointed and misaligned approach to projects,” says demolition expert Jet... →

KATE BESTER It would be beneficial if contracting and consulting firms were to align their personnel development strategies and actively encourage young engineers to explore these aspects in the industry, within defined frameworks

Sector recovery lies in collaboration – says cement maker

By: Marleny Arnoldi 13th November 2020 The construction sector remains under pressure, despite the easing of the national lockdown to Level 1, and contractors need to work with materials suppliers to remain cost competitive, says construction materials company AfriSam. →

CEMENTING SOLUTIONS AfriSam was collaborating with contractors on customised concrete solutions long before Covid-19; however, the pandemic has exacerbated the need for companies to contain costs

AfriSam readymix GM Amit Dawneerangen shares his insight on the state of the construction industry

Structural integrity aids building life cycle

13th November 2020 Asset management company Collaborit has successfully started penetrating the mining and industrial sectors, providing expert solutions and services into the sustainable, proactive management of structural assets such as steel, concrete and masonry. →

THE END IS ALWAYS CERTAIN Every structure has a limited design life and adequate budgeting must be allowed for to ensure regular maintenance is done to ensure this design life is reached

Consultancy laments construction sector decline

By: Mamaili Mamaila 13th November 2020 The construction sector experienced a significant contraction in terms of the change in value added to the gross domestic product year-on-year in quarter two of 2020, at -30.7%, compared to -2.2% in quarter one of 2020 and -0.9% in the fourth quarter of 2019. →

CONTRADICTORY MUCH? There is a paradox in the South African construction sector of large construction firms collapsing amid a housing backlog of about 2.3-million units

Pandemic challenges exacerbated for industry

13th November 2020 While construction sites were able to reopen in early May for civil projects, ongoing delays in terms of both the public sector being slow to change gears and client’s additional regulations around health and safety, have exacerbated challenges for both property development and construction... →

COVID-19 CONUNDRUM The Power Group’s construction arm has been hit with challenges no one could have foreseen with Covid-19

Economy to affect home builders more

By: Mamaili Mamaila 13th November 2020 The effects of Covid-19 and the sluggish economy remain the biggest challenge for the civil engineering and construction sectors. →

SONGEZO BOOI After almost 12 years, the home-building industry is still struggling to reach its former peak

Infrastructure recovery roadmap mulled

By: Mamaili Mamaila 13th November 2020 If South Africa is to have any hope of economic recovery, no sector can afford to do things the way it did before 2020, says the International Zinc Association (IZA). →

REFINED STRUCTURES The construction of a new zinc refinery will reduce dependence on special high-grade zinc imports, and provide a much-needed boost for the construction industry

Construction group welcomes green shoots after lull

By: Marleny Arnoldi 13th November 2020 After what has been months of uncertainty about when new projects will come to tender or whether awarded projects will progress, construction company Concor notes that work continues apace on its contracts spread across the construction, infrastructure, civils and mining sectors. →

MIXING IT UP
Concor is developing the derelict Conradie hospital site into an integrated, sustainable and affordable residential-led mixed-use precinct

Lucas Tseki discusses Concor's project's in progress and his takeaways from Covid-19

Integrated Pump Rental

8th September 2020 Integrated Pump Rental is a specialist pump rental organisation that caters to the needs of all sectors, including mining, quarrying, construction, wastewater, energy and general industry across Africa. The company has the agility to offer customers quick and easy access to a comprehensive... →

Industry remains in decline

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 14th February 2020 Although the civil engineering and construction sector is the backbone of the economy and contributes significantly to employment and growth in the country, it continues to experience a slump, says engineering procurement and construction (EPC) firm COENG founder and CEO Casian Dendere. “The... →

CASIAN DENDERE The sector remains under pressure, with margins remaining tight amid a generally low market performance

CESA remains hopeful about the future

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 14th February 2020 Despite the country’s current economic uncertainty, consulting engineering firms association Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) president Sugen Pillay believes that the country is in the “catharsis phase” and that there is a sense of regeneration and renewal looking towards the future. “The... →

Sugen Pillay
CESA is also calling for the Construction Industry Development Board to fast-track the Register of Professional Service Providers

CESA president Sugen Pillay and CESA CEO Chris Campbell discussed CESA's annual media briefing as well as issues facing the industry and how it plans to mitigate them. Camerawork: Creamer Media's Kutlwano. Editing: Creamer Media's Nicolas Boyd.

Demolition works under way at Melrose Arch

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 14th February 2020 Construction company ICON Earthworks, a subsidiary of the ICON Group, was awarded a R2.5-million contract by property development company Amdec to demolish four buildings at the end of November last year for completion next month. ICON is the principal contractor for the demolition, safety and... →

BIGGER AND BETTER The area will make way for the expansion of the Melrose Arch Precinct

Products reduce construction time

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 14th February 2020 Two products of construction connection technology supplier Peikko South Africa – the bolted column connections and DELTABEAM slim floor structures – contributed to reducing overall construction time at a project of food manufacturer Continental Brands, in Johannesburg. By using DELTABEAM, the... →

Peikko South Africa MD Daniel Petrov discusses the company’s latest innovations in the civil engineering and construction sector.

Pile solution cost effective, saves time

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 14th February 2020 Piling contractor Geopile – a subsidiary of South African exploration and geotechnical services provider GeoGroup – has saved its client about R2-million and more than a month’s worth of construction time by installing its driven ductile iron-pile solutions for a six-storey mix-use development in... →

IN ACTION Geopile rig in action installation

Small business celebrates award, charts way forward

By: Mamaili Mamaila 15th November 2019 Consulting company ADA Consulting Engineers recently won a commendation for the Small Company of the Year award at this year’s Consulting Engineers South Africa AON Excellence Awards, held in Midrand, Gauteng in August. →

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT The South African public and the private sectors need to do their bit to support the development of the infrastructure industry in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond

Cermalab

15th November 2019 Established in May 2002, Cermalab is the largest materials testing and materials sector training laboratory in Southern Africa. Cermalab serves the heavy clay, ceramic and refractories industries across Africa and is accredited by the South African National Accreditation agency. →

Cesa shines on international stage

By: Mamaili Mamaila 15th November 2019 Voluntary association Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) was one of the big winners at the 2019 International Federation of Consulting Engineers (Fidic) Member Association (MA) Excellence Awards. →

CHRISTOPHER CAMPBELL Consulting Engineers South Africa's aspirations are in sync with those of the country's National Development Plan

Technology huge driver for earthworks company

By: Mamaili Mamaila 15th November 2019 Amid continuous technological development, equipment must keep up with global trends, says earthworks company ICON Group MD Wayne Neary. →

ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS With tightening global emission standards, ICON Group's equipment range complies with European emission standards

More support needed for SMMEs in construction

By: Mamaili Mamaila 15th November 2019 Amid the downturn in the construction sector during the past five years, it has been very difficult for small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) in the sector to keep afloat, says construction company Sinopa Construction and Property founder and MD Simpiwe Msibi. →

SECTOR HURDLES Construction sector difficulties are particularly acute for a 100% black- and female-owned business, such as Sinopa, which is operating in a male-dominated sector

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