A new automated steel reinforce- ment fastener promises to cut down on time spent fastening rebar on construction sites.

The fastening system, which is produced by a leading manufacturer in China is imported and distributed in South Africa by fledgling plant hire and equipment supply company NTSU, based in Centurion.

Cofounder and GM Sheilla Bendile says that the fastener is currently in use on construction sites in many countries, including Malaysia and Russia, and, after pilots with a number of large local construction and steel companies , is only now being introduced into South African markets.

The battery-operated fastener is 660 mm long, 80 mm broad, weighs only 3,8 kg and is guaranteed for a year.

Bendile claims the system reduces human error and wire wastage, owing to the fact that each knot is identical. It also potentially improves employee safety as it eliminates the need for the traditional ‘wire-and-pliers’ method of fastening steel reinforcement. This is particularly important, given the high incidence of back pain among construction workers using traditional methods.

NTSU sales representative Theo Nel explains that the fastener can tie up steel reinforcement of up to 38-mm diameter and can fasten 120 to 200 ties for each spool of wire. What’s more, the fastener can handle temperatures of up to 50 �C and reportedly requires very little maintenance.

“Given public contract requirements that often include women labourers, this lightweight system could prove popular. In addition, because it takes fewer people to fasten the reinforced steel bars together, it saves time and reduces costs. “Our tests show that the fastener is about four times faster than hand tying,” Nel explains.

Bendile says that the fastener can be used in a wide range of construction areas, such as building foundations, floors and walls, retaining walls, in tunnel construction works and in civil construction areas such bridge building.

To add to its portfolio of products, the company is also planning to import a smaller derivative of the tool, which can be used in confined spaces. The newer model will be about the size of a hand drill and is expected to be available in September 2007.

The fastening tool adds a new string to NTSU’s construction equipment bow. The firm, which is 100% women owned, has been created by, but stands independent of, the same team of quantity surveyors and project managers that established Nombo Mabhele seven years ago and has the same set of founders, Bendile, Dawn Lempe and Tumi Bantseke.

Bendile says that the decision to diversify into plant hire and equipment supply arose after they identified a need for smart plant hire solutions with a strong focus on project management.

The company, which has taken delivery of five brand-new Volvo TLBs, intends to grow its fleet of construction vehicles to 20 by the end of the year.

“We believe that we have the right background. The combined experience of the three partners is over 30 years in the construction industry.

“It is not just about hiring out equipment, but actually going out and assessing customer needs, determining the best equipment for each stage of the project and then managing the project as it continues. “By doing this, we take care of the plant hire needs, allowing contractors to focus on their core business,” Bendile concludes.