Tag: CONSTRUCTION

Construction Outlook 2022 – Top 10 risks facing the industry

The construction industry has been navigating a challenging landscape due to the economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Greater use of wood to help nations decarbonise

An international Wood Manifesto setting the future roadmap for timber and wood use in construction and other products was launched in the UK ahead of the COP26 climate talks.

Recycling of polystyrene sees huge increase thanks to growing building and construction end-markets

Polystyrene recycling in South Africa has increased by 19 % during 2019, thanks to the tremendous growth in end-markets using post-consumer polystyrene.

Finding a way forward for recycled building material

Robust debate is needed in the construction industry to map a way forward for the recycling of demolishment material on construction sites.

Afrimat Cape Lime is one of the leading lime producing companies in South Africa

Afrimat Cape Lime is one of the leading lime producing companies in South Africa which produces high quality lime products.

Unlocking the earthmoving industry in SA

The first comprehensive survey of the size and complexity of the construction, earthmoving, and mining equipment industry in more than 20 years has been released.

It will provide unparalleled market intelligence to stakeholders in the industry.

Compiled by global research company, Off-Highway Research, the 220-page report, The Construction Industry in South Africa, is a 4-year study that details sales by model category, equipment analysis, sizes of equipment and sales by manufacturer.

According to Dr Jim Rankin of Agfacts, a report is an invaluable tool for financial institutions, parts suppliers and service providers, as well as suppliers of components such as tyres, hydraulics and filters, among others. It shows which machines are selling, and which are not, and it gives analysts food for thought when advising or building business plans.

Reliable sources

“Much of the information was transposed from the Construction and Mining Equipment Suppliers Association (Conmesa) which we have been supplying monthly reports for more than 25-years. Other information was taken from complementary association in agriculture and materials handling where appropriate,” says Jim.

He adds that the report also provides information on local suppliers that is handy for end users to know who the role players are and the extent of would-be supplier’s information. Based on the statistics it even provides readers with predictions on the industry and comprehensive forecasts until 2023.

With information such as actual machine populations in South Africa, by type and brand, suppliers can make informed decisions when it comes to the type of equipment, spares, and services that they supply.

Reality check

“We have found that in many instances perceptions are actually far from reality and actual ownership and supply figures are often different to what even we would imagine. This kind of market research is difficult to come-by and should make up part of any business plan for role players in the market in future.”

The report is conducted in accordance with worldwide standards and is available from Agfacts. CONMESA, Dr Jim Rankin, Tel: (011) 453 7249, Fax: (011) 453 9710, Email: jim.rankin@agfacts.co.za

Frost International

Frost International was established in the construction industry in 1970, initially in the ceiling and partition sub-contracting arena, before evolving into the Entrances and Security side of things. As a specialist contractor, Frost delivers a range of solutions to any project.

Frost International formed a partnership with Boon Edam in the early 90’s, when the first Boon Edam revolving door was installed by Frost International – a door that is still in operation today, and from here the partnership has grown from strength to strength. Boon Edam is a premium brand, recognised as a royal brand in Holland – an honour awarded by the Dutch royals themselves.

Further to the first-class range of revolving doors, we also offer the options of security doors, and pedestrian Speedlanes. The current best-seller, the Boon Edam Lifeline Speedlane, is the slimmest on the market – with a cabinet width barely in excess of 100mm.

Frost also offers the only South Africa designed, developed and manufactured Automatic sliding door operator – the FROST AUTOMATIC, which adds to our offering of non-contact activated entrance and security solutions. During these-times, we see a huge focus on non-contact automation, be it through facial recognition, wave-activation or motion sensors – a trend which started a few years ago, and is expected to carry into the future – a truly hygienic option.

Frost International also offers HUFCOR acoustic operable walls, which allow the user to split one big room into multiple rooms, all the while selecting their Sound Transferal Coefficient (STC) rating based on the application.

A latest edition to our product range is the option of High Speed/ Performance doors – suitable for factories, warehouses, pharmaceutical and food handling distribution centres.

Frost International pride ourselves on our service, and after-sales service through routine and preventative maintenance to get the longest life out of our premium range of products, and allowing for the most user-friendly experience for our clients.

Construction sector welcomes easing lockdown under level 3

The construction industry welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the country moving to Level 3 as from 01 June 2020. The sector has been calling for an immediate re-activation of live construction sites that were at various stages of completion when the lockdown came into effect on the 27^th of March 2020.

Chairperson of the Construction Covid-19 Rapid Response Task Team, Mr John Matthews acknowledged that the easing of lockdown meant that a lot of construction companies on the verge of collapse could be saved. ‘We are optimistic that allowing the construction sector to resume full operations will salvage what is left of the sector. We are pleased that the government gave consideration to the concerns we raised and agreed to a full re-activation of the sector under Level 3. Continued restraints on construction activity was leading us towards a situation where there was little hope of a recovery for a lot of companies in the industry’ said Matthews.

On measures to contain the spread of the Coronavirus disease on construction sites, he added that there was a need for companies to adhere to the strict health and safety protocols that were already in place, for protection of employees. He highlighted the need for self-regulation by all employers in the industry, emphasizing the call by President Ramaphosa that combating the spread of the disease was in the hands of everyone.

‘It is not up to the government to try and monitor every office and construction site, but each and every employer has a responsibility to ensure that the health and safety of employees is guaranteed. The industry has health and safety protocols already in place and any employer in the sector who needs assistance should contact their Association for guidance and support’ said Matthews.

He also added that the Task Team would pursue efforts for the creation of a Construction Relief Fund, to assist the sector with additional PPE requirements. He confirmed that the Team activities would continue beyond the resumption of construction activity, as it was crucial to provide on-going support to employers in the industry and continued engagement with the government in pursuit of long-term sector recovery.

The construction industry was already under siege prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent nation-wide lockdown. However, it has been touted as one of the sectors that the government should prioritise to increase work opportunities and revive the South African economy due to it being one of the major economic contributors and because of the labour-intensive nature of construction activities.

The Construction COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Team (“CC19RRTT”) is an industry grouping that was convened to charter a recovery plan for the construction sector. It incorporates the entire construction value chain covering suppliers, manufacturers, property developers, built environment professionals and contractors (main contractors and subcontractors).

Participating organisations include:

Master Builders South Africa (MBSA), The Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS), Western Cape Property Development Forum (WCPDF), South African Institute of Architects (SAIA), Black Business Council in the Built Environment (BBCBE), Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA), Association of Construction Project Managers (ACPM), The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), South African Black Technical and Allied Careers Organisation (SABTACO), South African Women in Construction and Built Environment (SAWIC & BE), The Concrete Institute of South Africa (TCI), Cox Yeats Attorneys, South African Geomatics Institute (SAGI) , National Construction Incubator (NCI), Institute for Landscape Architecture in South Africa  (ILASA), Construction Management Foundation (CMF), Association of Construction Health and Safety Management (ACHASM), Association of Architectural Aluminium Manufacturers of South Africa (AAAMSA), The Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM), Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) , ASPASA, Clay Brick Association of South Africa, South African Institute of Black Property Practitioners (SAIBPP), Council for the Built Environment (CBE) , National Spa & Pool Institute of Southern Africa (NSPI), South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA), South African Affordable Residential Developers Association, (SAARDA), South African Association of Consulting Professional Planners (SAACPP), Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), South African Green Industry Council (SAGIC) , South African Paint Manufacturing Association (SAPMA), Builders Warehouse (Suppliers and Manufacturing), and Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal (MBA KZN) as the Convener.