Company Announcement - In a strategic plan to cater for an increased customer demand for consistent concrete supply in the burgeoning Sandton/Midrand/Centurion corridor, AfriSam has systematically increased its readymix capacity. This has resulted in a combined capacity, over a number of its plants in the area, of 300 m3 per hour. Growth across the Sandton/Midrand/Centurion corridor can be attributed to a number of factors including the decision by a significant number of large corporate organisations to either upgrade existing buildings in the Sandton CBD or construct new modern facilities. The general upgrade of the Sandton inner city area will not only dovetail with a number of high-profile projects such as the Discovery Head Office, Alice Lane Phase 3, Mall of Africa and the new PWC headquarters in Waterfall but will also effectively transform the transportation systems within the area. AfriSam is not just able to provide readymix concrete solution, but the strategic footprint of its aggregates operations is also well positioned in this corridor.

An important advantage for all AfriSam customers in these growth nodes is that all its plants are equipped with generators. This will ensure that the supply of readymix will not be interrupted, should there be any power outages. AfriSam has a very interactive relationship with both its customers and the industry in general. This level of involvement and in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by contractors and developers, allows the organisation to proactively and strategically implement plans that cater for increased demand.

While AfriSam’s Jukskei operation is most ideally positioned in the centre of this growth node, the company has a number of other readymix plants that ensure continuity of supply to customers. There are two readymix plants at its Wynberg, Sandton facility and AfriSam operates another strategically situated new readymix plant in Laezonia, just off William Nicol Road and the N14.

AfriSam emphasises that while the individual plant operation is different, the batching interface is identical across all its plants. Use of the same interface ensures consistent batching, minimises errors and provides the ability to deliver supply backup from various locations. In this way customers have the absolute assurance that any potential disruption to an individual operation will be minimised.

In a major capital investment, AfriSam commissioned what is deemed to be the single largest stationary readymix plant in operation in South Africa, at the beginning of April. Selection of a wet batch plant for this operation has offered a number of advantages to AfriSam, including greater control of the consistency of the concrete due to improved slump control. Furthermore, the design and configuration of this plant allows concrete to be delivered at a high output, without compromising on the quality of the mix.