Features | Construction Materials

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Construction Materials and Equipment

Supplier’s materials can contribute to secure railway structures

30th July 2021 Construction materials supplier Fibertex geotextiles are used to stabilise the foundations of railway structures, enabling them to withstand the dynamic loads of high speeds and great weights of modern trains. The Fibertex plant in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal, manufactures high-performance... →

Concrete pole achieves 8kN of force testing

By: Cameron Mackay 30th July 2021 Concrete products supplier Rocla subjected its 11 m concrete cast pole to 8 kN of force testing at its manufacturing plant, in Roodepoort, in May. Rocla’s cast concrete pole has become the preferred option for electrification and electric power line projects. →

Rocla's spun concrete poles for windfarm

INNOVATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS Today these poles are used for electrification, telecom infrastructure, security and lighting

Equipment supplier distributes compaction range to local market

By: Cameron Mackay 30th July 2021 Compaction technology manufacturer Bomag has entrusted local equipment supplier Smith Power Equipment to distribute its light compaction equipment range in South Africa and selected cross-border markets, after the dealer agreement was signed at the end of 2019. Smith Power Equipment sales... →

Smith Power Equipment BOMAG equipment on construction site

ROBUST SUPPORT SERVICES The three-to-one warranty is unique locally, as three- to six-month warranties are normally offered for this kind of equipment

Manufacturer stresses need for quality materials during downturn

By: Cameron Mackay 30th July 2021 Amid strained economic conditions, contractors are opting to buy cheaper and lower-quality building materials, such as cement, to reduce costs, which cement manufacturer AfriSam cementitious executive Hannes Meyer argues is short-sighted and can lead to numerous issues. He emphasises the... →

AfriSam quality construction materials on site

APPETITE FOR CONSTRUCTION It is important or contractors to understand the composition of construction materials, which, in turn, will ensure quality of construction projects

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... →

Sector looks forward to working with govt

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 31st July 2020 Industry organisation, The Concrete Institute, is highly encouraged by the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (Sidssa) and looks forward to partnering with government to turn words and policies into actionable and investable projects as identified in Sidssa’s new... →

BRYAN PERRIE The South African cement sector is ready, willing and able to meet the infrastructure and build requirements of the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa

Construction rubble is functional, says demolition expert

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 31st July 2020 While a large proportion of demolition and construction rubble is allocated to registered landfill sites, it is critical to note that this material is often used to rehabilitate the landfill sites, says demolition solutions provider Jet Demolition contracts manager Kate Bester. She explains... →

GETTING IT SORTED The majority of construction materials can be sorted and cleaned mechanically either before or during demolition activities

Online courses upgrade skills in concrete technology

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 31st July 2020 The School of Concrete Technology is offering ten online courses to assist those in the concrete industry, and concrete-related industries, in upgrading their skills. The courses are offered on the school’s online platform and are supplemented with online lectures that are used to explain... →

UPSKILLED AND EDUCATED The courses are also designed to enable a student to advance in a staged approach to higher levels of education and knowledge in concrete technology

Steely resolve, innovation continue despite lockdown

By: Darren Parker 31st July 2020 Although production came to a halt over the past two months, light-steel-frame building materials supplier Etex South Africa – formerly known as Marley Building Systems – continued planning and innovating throughout the Covid-19 lockdown so that it would be well positioned to take advantage of... →

MULTIPLE USES Light-steel-frame buildings can be repurposed, modified or moved to a new location with relative ease

Hempcrete advantageous for construction

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 31st July 2020 Hempcrete provides several advantages when used for the construction of a building, says Cape Town-based architecture firm Wolf and Wolf Architecture founder and principal Wolf Wolf. Hempcrete is a fully biodegradable material that comprises hemp hurds – the woody core removed during processing... →

Photo by Wolf
SUPERIOR BENEFITS Hemp boasts several characteristics that make it superior from an ecological and economic perspective

Atlas Copco Compressor Technique

22nd October 2019 Atlas Copco Compressor Technique specialises in Smart Air Solutions that deliver accurate, quality air at point of use at the lowest possible cost to customers and end-users. Cutting-edge air, gas and vacuum compressor technology is applied across the business area’s extensive range of small,... →

Distributor remains positive, focusing on automation

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 11th October 2019 Statistics South Africa’s report on the construction industry last month shows a drop in activity related to nonresidential building, as well as construction work being constrained in the second quarter. “When comparing the construction industry of today to what it was five years ago, it is a... →

BETTER AND BETTER Automation in the construction industry will drive efficiency and performance

Company provides multiple new solutions

By: Simone Liedtke 11th October 2019 As part of its continuous drive to improve on its solutions offerings, diversified construction materials company AfriSam is developing multiple new solutions to provide more environment-friendly and cost-effective products for clients. Cost effectiveness is particularly important, considering... →

AMIT DAWNEERANGEN One should rather think about the benefits of products in terms of durability, sustainability and the environment

Supplier aims to meet demands through tech

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 11th October 2019 Owing to lower commodity prices and higher input costs, construction equipment supplier Hitachi Construction Machinery Africa’s diverse business units have enabled it to adapt to the huge shift by the construction and mining industry to assist customers. This was achieved by reducing operating... →

Technicrete celebrating half century this year

12th October 2018 Leading S African precast concrete provider turns 50 this year. Over the last 50 years, Technicrete has grown operationally as well as through its product offering. From small beginnings to the construction of Technicrete’s first major plant at Randfontein, the establishment of nine other... →

HITTING THE DECK Deckwerk blocks and paving are one of Technicretes longest standing offerings

New bitumen binding application introduced

By: Halima Frost 12th October 2018 Transport infrastructure specialists Bouygues Group’s South African subsidiary Colas has introduced Colbifibre – its latest bitumen binding process – for use on deteriorating roadways. Colbifibre is a new process aimed at road surfaces that have suffered significant wear and tear. It combines its... →

PAVING THE WAY The single truck needed to apply the Colbifibre

Company offers new range of equipment

By: Halima Frost 12th October 2018 Power equipment and tool supply company Hire It launched its locally assembled range of small plant construction equipment, called Kwagga, following a need for cheaper and more readily available equipment by industry. Launched in August, Hire It sales director Richard Fraser says stock to the... →

EARNING ITS STRIPES The Kwagga range of industrial-grade heavy duty equipment

Cranes used for heavy lifting on N2 upgrade

12th October 2018 Midrand-based crane rental agency Concord Cranes deployed equipment manufacturer Liebherr’s 440T mobile cranes to the N2 Mtunzini-to-Empangeni upgrade project in KwaZulu-Natal for main client the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral). According to Sanral, this has been acknowledged... →

HIGHER FOR HIRE Concord’s cranes helped erect the 30-metre-long 52 t bridge

Industry 4.0 in readymix industry still a way off, says association

By: Halima Frost 12th October 2018 The construction materials industry can improve its customer-supplier interface if it takes up Industry 4.0, notes South African ReadyMix Association (Sarma) director Johan van Wyk. “The current economic climate impacts on construction materials in the same way as the construction industry, for... →

CHUTING FOR PERFECTION A high-grade mix is poured into the foundation through a chute system attached to the readymix truck

New pop rivet tool for construction sector

12th October 2018 Powertool manufacturer Milwaukee’s new M12 BPRT pop rivet system, is available locally through construction fastener distributor Upat South Africa. Considering the sheer number of rivets needed during prefabrication, assembly and field installation work, particularly in the construction sector,... →

RIVETING PRODUCT The new pop rivet tool alleviates problems commonly experienced with hand-held rivets

Hilti

12th October 2018 Founded in 1941 in Schaan, Lichtenstein, Hilti is a family owned company with a long and proud tradition of providing system solutions for the construction industry, and as a world leader in fastening and demolition technology. For over 75 years, the company focuses on creating enthusiastic... →

Foam-based spray prevents spread of fire

By: Halima Frost 12th October 2018 Since the launch of construction industry services and technology provider Hilti South Africa’s Firestop façade joint coating earlier this year, the product – which has been well received by engineers and architects – will be used in its first large construction project in Bedfordview, Gauteng,... →

AT FAÇADE VALUE The easily sprayable coating is applied to gaps left in the façade

Buried utility locating facility essential for accurate information

By: Simone Liedtke 13th October 2017 Utility management company Bosch Munitech’s specialised Underground Services Location (USL) facility encompasses advanced utility detection and mapping services, which are essential for providing accurate information on buried utility infrastructure layouts, says Bosch Munitech underground and... →

NECESSARY SERVICE The Underground Services Location facility helps with the planning of new pipe designs, utility diversions and new construction

Supplier aims to change industry mindset

By: Simone Liedtke 13th October 2017 Industrial equipment supplier Smith Power Equipment (SPE) – a division of Smith Mining Equipment – is aiming to change the “bigger is better” mindset of the construction materials and equipment market in South Africa by offering construction equipment developer Kubota’s 3 t Kubota U30-6 mini... →

COMPACT EXCAVATOR The 3 t Kubota U30-6 mini excavator from Smith Power Equipment a compact machine

Product range to expand to construction industry

By: Simone Liedtke 13th October 2017 Owing to the risk posed by utility pipes, and electrical lines and cables in the ground, industrial product supplier Actum Industrial – part of the Actum Group – is targeting the construction, municipal, and oil and gas industry with its Ridgid range of tooling equipment – such as the SR-20 and... →

BUILDING ON THE PAST The SR-24 utility line locating instrument builds on the SR-20 feature set, adding a global positioning system and wireless communication

Well-maintained equipment ensures market competitiveness

By: Simone Liedtke 13th October 2017 Ensuring that income-generation capacity is not reduced in any way by ill-maintained equipment is an important way of staying competitive in the market, states Cape Town-based specialised equipment hire company Burma Plant Hire Group (BPH) MD Theuns Burger. →

THEUNS BURGER The proactive approach involves maintenance of a company’s equipment

Pan Mixers South Africa

By: Zandile Mavuso 13th October 2017 Quality concrete equipment supplier Pan Mixers South Africa (PMSA) also provide a full range of on-site batching plant solutions. Having supplied the construction industry with its equipment for over 40 years, one of the product ranges that PMSA is proud to distribute is the Self-Loading FIORI. →

Renewed focus for construction equipment supplier

By: Simone Liedtke 13th October 2017 Welding and construction equipment-related supplier Renttech South Africa (SA) aims to provide an “unmatched” range of construction equipment for sale or to rent for the construction industry as part of its goal to grow consistently and sustainably. →

PREFERRED SUPPLIER Renttech SA is the preferred supplier of welding, power generation, lifting and rigging equipment to buy or rent in

Insurance plays vital role in construction project success

By: Simone Liedtke 13th October 2017 Owing to insurance playing a vital role in the ultimate success of a construction project, insurance provider Risk Benefit Solutions (RBS) says contractors and engineers need to ensure that a contract includes the contractor all risk policy, which includes cover against damage and any liabilities... →

GEORGE DAVIS Every construction project is unique and has its own set of risks

Sales professionals receive ‘intensive’ training

7th October 2016 Global construction supplier Case Construction Equipment held a three-day training event in July to provide product and commercial training on construction equipment to sales professionals throughout the Southern African region. The event, themed Eagle Days, took place in Johannesburg from July... →

CASE EQUIPMENT Attendees were able to view crawler excavators, graders, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders and skid steers in action

Company buys 18 dump trucks for construction purposes

7th October 2016 Plant hire firm JoinPoint on September 12 announced its purchase of 18 new Bell Equipment B30Es owing to customer demand for new and reliable earthmoving equipment that is capable of delivering both performance and fuel efficiency. “Our customers are often involved in many of the country’s major... →

Construction additive product provides cheaper and faster building alternative

By: Aarifah Nosarka 7th October 2016 South Africa's housing shortage may be solved faster, cheaper and in a more ecofriendly way owing to the Selcrete additive building product, which only requires mixing cement and polystyrene, says construction products company Hjott South Africa (SA) CEO Graeme Horwood. The Selcrete additive... →

INNOVATIVE ADDITIVE Blockwork is laid about 20% to 30% faster than conventional, traditional systems

Agreement reached for production of construction equipment

By: Aarifah Nosarka 7th October 2016 Construction equipment manufacturers CNH Industrial and industrial equipment manufacturer Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have signed an exclusive ten-year agreement, with the option of renewal, for the production and development of mini excavators for global distribution. Under the agreement,... →

ANDY BLANDFORD The scope of the mini excavator product range will be up to 6 t and include 14 models globally

Conversion project uses new building technologies

By: Aarifah Nosarka 7th October 2016 The Braamfontein Gate construction project, which entails converting a 30-storey office block into more than 400 residential apartments using the latest building technologies and designs, is expected to be completed by June 2017, specialist inner city property financiers TUHF’s co-founder and... →

NANO MAKWELA The balcony for each apartment will be fabricated from old sun visors repurposed as balustrades

Geotextiles designed for road construction and maintenance needs

7th October 2016 Geosynthetic products manufacturer Fibertex South Africa has designed a new range of geotextiles that can be used in civil engineering, mining and road construction, and maintenance projects. Fibertex export sales manager Chris Powell points out that the range includes the Fibertex AM-2, which is... →

FIBERTEX AM-2 The product prevents the propagation of stress cracks from lower layers, when placed between old and new asphalt layers

Importance of research undervalued, impacting economic development

17th May 2016 National research institution the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's (CSIR's) Built Environment division executive director Dr Cornelius Ruiters says countries that do not adequately invest in research, development and innovation (R&D&I) will not develop economically. 'In South... →

Paving bricks trump other resurfacing methods for Centurion estate

By: Donna Slater 9th October 2015 Instead of using tar or other resurfacing methods, Irene Glen Estate, in Centurion, chose concrete products company Technicrete Infrastructure Specialist Group’s (ISG’s) paving for its road renovations. →

IRENE ESTATE Technicrete supplied 17 000 m2 of 60 mm grey interlocking pavers

Power tools specialist launches new rotary hammer

By: Donna Slater 9th October 2015 Power tools company Bosch launched the GBH 12-52 D Professional rotary hammer last month, claiming it to be the most powerful rotary hammer from Bosch to date. →

BOSCH GBH 12-52 D PROFESSIONAL The new Bosch rotary hammer features a 1 700 W electrical motor that produces 19 J of single-impact energy

Editorial Insight

Urgent solution needed

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DUSTBIN OF HISTORY

South Africa simply cannot afford a repeat of 2021 this year. Further delays in dealing with the country’s big problems of load-shedding, economic and social crime, vaccine hesitancy and, most worryingly, a growth rate that is too low to make a dent into chronic unemployment will set the scene for the type of deadly instability that gripped the country in July last year. Decisive policymaking and diligent implementation are the only ways to confine 2021 to the dustbin of history.

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