Company Announcement - A.b.e. Construction Chemicals has embarked on an extensive modernisation and expansion programme, involving the installation of new high-technology equipment at both the company's Boksburg and Isipingo factories. a.b.e. - part of the Chryso Southern Africa Group - was established in 1932 and is a major supplier of high performance products to the building, civil engineering, maintenance, manufacturing, builders' merchant and hardware retail businesses. 

Mario Marais, GM: Operations of the Chryso Group, says an important benefit of the investment in new equipment will be intensifying the Group's commitment to sustainability - which covers economic, social and environmental commitments - through increasing its pioneering dustless  production of powdered cementitious products at Boksburg , and boosting skills upliftment within the Group. "Along with the installation of new equipment, will also come the need for increased training of our staff. This will enhance their skills and raise the Chryso Group's investment in, and empowerment of,  its workforce," he stated. The first component of the expansion programme will be the installation of a new bulk emulsion tank at the a.b.e. plant in Boksburg. "This tank will increase the production rate of the liquid component for the a.b.e. cementitious product range. The acquisition of the tank follows the installation of new bulk liquid mixers 18 months ago during Phase One of the Boksburg expansion project. The third - and final - phase will be the installation of an automated packaging unit at the Ekurhuleni facility. The other expansion project at Boksburg  will be the installation of the company's second automated valve bag filler," Marais explained.

At its Isipingo production plant, a.b.e. will install a new automated dispensing line for viscous two-component products. This new production line will enhance a.b.e.'s epoxy and polysulphide production capability and improve speed-to-market for these key a.b.e. products. "Both the Boksburg bulk emulsion tank and Isipingo's automated dispensing line will be commissioned in  mid-May this year with full production running by the end of May. The automated bag filler planned for Boksburg is likely to be installed during the last quarter of this year."

Marais said the new equipment would have several benefits for a.b.e. customers. "Firstly, it will lead to faster execution of orders to boost customer satisfaction; and, secondly, a significant reduction in production cost which will make both Boksburg and Isipingo plants more efficient and profitable."

In tandem with the new investment in equipment, the company is also involved in extensive training of staff and operational modifications as part of a drive to obtain OHSAS 18001 compliance for both a.b.e. manufacturing sites. "The globally respected occupational health and safety system was created by the world's leading national standards and certification bodies, and specialist consultancies. Apart from providing OHSAS 18001 holders with a competitive edge in business, the system's main purpose is to minimise risk to employees by improving existing health and safety management systems. However, OHSAS 18001 calls for strong management policies and procedures as well as staff commitment - and this is what we are applying and developing in order to obtain this coveted health and safety system," he explained.