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Materials & Equipment News

IBT construction reduces cost, time

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 20th November 2020 Student accommodation group STAG African says it can reduce construction time and costs for student accommodation using innovative building technology (IBT) – a first for Africa. “By using such technologies, developers can reduce building time by 40%, which has the effect of reducing associated... →

Bridge takes top spot at Steel Awards

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 20th November 2020 The new V&A Swing Bridge took top honours at the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction’s (SAISC’s) inaugural virtual Steel Awards last month. “Ingenuity, creativity and excellence were showcased during the live stream event, with the coveted titles of Overall Winner and Bridge Category... →

FAR AND WIDE The new swing bridge spans 40 m and the deck is cable-stayed, with a single plane of four locked coil cables connecting to a central, upstand spine beam

Increased use of light steel frame

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 20th November 2020 There is a significant increase in the use of light steel frame (LSF) in construction – despite it still being a relatively new building material in the South African market. This increase is mostly owed to the multitude of benefits it offers over traditional building methods, says LSF... →

FAR AND WIDE Futurecon plans to keep expanding the use of LSF in the large-scale commercial sector

WBHO sees plunge in profit as Covid-19, loss-making projects take toll

By: Irma Venter 17th November 2020 Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO) on Tuesday reported a massive turnaround in fortunes from 12 months ago when it boasted R513-million in operating profit for the year ended June 30, to a position where it suffered an operating loss of R585-million. Group CEO Wolfgang Neff cited the main reasons... →

Sector recovery lies in collaboration – says cement maker

By: Marleny Arnoldi 13th November 2020 The construction sector remains under pressure, despite the easing of the national lockdown to Level 1, and contractors need to work with materials suppliers to remain cost competitive, says construction materials company AfriSam. →

AfriSam readymix GM Amit Dawneerangen shares his insight on the state of the construction industry

Hard-hit construction sector pins recovery hopes on infrastructure plan

By: Natasha Odendaal 13th November 2020 South Africa’s construction industry ground to a halt on March 27, as the nation entered a hard lockdown that would last weeks, in response to the global Covid-19 pandemic which spurred governments worldwide to impose emergency restrictions. Six months later, the industry is starting to get back... →

Online hub launched to boost home-grown mining equipment development

By: Donna Slater 12th November 2020 To increase local manufacturing and the attractiveness and attention thereof, the Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP) and the Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa (Memsa) have launched the Technology Availability and Readiness Atlas (Tara). The launch on November 12 coincided with the... →

PPC enjoys higher retail-led cement demand

By: Marleny Arnoldi 12th November 2020 Cement manufacturer PPC has advised that its sales volumes continue to rise after having experienced muted sales in April and May during the harder levels of lockdown in South Africa and other African countries. The company’s sales volumes started recovering in South Africa and Botswana in... →

Tribunal confirms settlement agreement between PPC, commission

By: Simone Liedtke 11th November 2020 The Competition Tribunal has confirmed a settlement agreement between Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) and the Competition Commission which, in effect, grants PPC final immunity from prosecution in the cement cartel case. PPC has also been granted immunity from an administrative penalty. →

Nigeria gives Dangote, BUA approval to export cement via closed borders

By: Reuters 11th November 2020 Nigeria has granted presidential approval to Dangote Cement and BUA Cement to export cement through its land borders, which have been closed for more than a year to check smuggling, a customs spokesman said on Tuesday. Nigeria closed its land borders last year to curb smuggling of rice and arms,... →

Bearing isolators faring well in bearings sector

6th November 2020 Bearings distributor BMG tells Engineering News that its Garlock Klozure and Guardian Bearing Isolators have fared notably well subsequent to being introduction to the BMG range of isolators. A bearing isolator is an advanced sealing solution that is used to protect bearings on rotating equipment... →

SURE SOLUTION The Garlock sealing solutions offered by BMG have proven effective in many environments

PIC lowers stake in PPC to 4.93%

By: Marleny Arnoldi 3rd November 2020 The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has reduced its shareholding in cement manufacturer PPC from 9.52% to 4.93%. The State-owned fund manager has progressively been decreasing its stake in the cement manufacturer, having reduced its shareholding from 25% to about 19% in June, to just under... →

Emphasis placed on supplying products to address industry issues

By: Simone Liedtke 30th October 2020 South Africa’s civil structures are in dire need of improved performance and longevity, hence building materials company AfriSam’s emphasis on supplying quality products that “go beyond current requirements”. Speaking to Engineering News, AfriSam regional product technical manager Nithia Pillay... →

AfriSam’s Nithia Pillay speaks about the company’s drive to supply products that address industry issues

Africa’s richest man delays cement London listing until 2023

By: Bloomberg 29th October 2020 Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest person, has again delayed plans to sell shares in his cement maker on the London Stock Exchange, opting instead to focus on increasing exports and boosting the Nigerian company’s foreign-exchange reserves. Dangote Cement, the continent’s biggest producer of the... →

Afrimat's diversification strategy paying off

By: Marleny Arnoldi 29th October 2020 Openpit miner Afrimat reported an 11% year-on-year increase in operating profit for the six months ended August 31, despite a 9.4% year-on-year decrease in revenue. The company also ended the period with cash and cash equivalents of R330-million, a 170% year-on-year increase. →

Afrimat CEO Andries van Heerden shares how the company's diversification strategy has made it more resilient

Industrial investment will flow if South Africa ‘consistently’ builds 1.6 GW of wind yearly

By: Terence Creamer 27th October 2020 Leading wind-energy project developers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are convinced that South Africa’s plan to install 1.6 GW of new wind capacity yearly until 2030 is more than sufficient to attract large-scale industrial investment. These captains of industry warn, however, that... →

New safety shoe and boot brands faring well

23rd October 2020 Although the Covid-19 pandemic and its subsequent restrictions on trade and events have set back personal protective equipment (PPE) specialist Sisi Safety Wear’s Basi boot – which features a metaguard – the company says its other newer ranges have fared well so far this year. The Basi boot will... →

COOL TO BOOT The boot specially designed to fit the female foot is both functional and pretty

Hard hat face shield launched

23rd October 2020 Paper and plastics packaging and recycling company Mpact Group launched its new face shield, specially designed to attach to a hard hat, in support of the construction and related industries during the Covid-19 pandemic. Launched in June, the hard hat face shield is produced from polyethylene... →

HEALTHY HANDOVER To help curb the spread of Covid-19 and keep frontline healthcare workers safe, Mpact Group donated 25 000 face shields to the Department of Health

Gloves on offer locally

By: Halima Frost 23rd October 2020 Wholesale personal protective equipment (PPE) and industrial consumables supplier G.Fox has added the patented nitrile Grippaz gloves to its PPE portfolio in the second quarter of this year. The specially formulated gloves combine household gloves and disposable exam glove technology, which makes... →

GAINLY GRIP The Grippaz glove offers better 'grip-ability' as well as more comfort for the user

Contractors risk ruin owing to contract fine print, payment delays, says MBA

By: Irma Venter 19th October 2020 The Master Builders Association (MBA) North says contractors, particularly small and mid-sized contractors, face growing business risk when embarking on new projects. This is a result of a range of issues, such as contracts that are amended to favour large contractors or clients, unclear delivery... →

CSIR and asphalt industry construct test road using local fillers, recycled tyres

By: Irma Venter 16th October 2020 The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and private company Much Asphalt have successfully constructed a section of road using locally available micro-fillers and recycled tyres. Following more than a year of combined laboratory development and evaluation efforts between CSIR... →

Construction of the road using the new materials

Sanral signs MoU with Safcec to prioritise small contractor development

By: Irma Venter 14th October 2020 The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors (Safcec), with the aim of prioritising the development of small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) in the road construction... →

PPC says trading conditions have improved in recent months

By: Simone Liedtke 9th October 2020 Although JSE-listed cement manufacturer PPC's financial performance weakened in the financial year ended March 31, actions taken during the period to reposition the company to deliver sustainable value for stakeholders “are beginning to yield results”. After the resumption of trading in the 2021... →

PPC CEO Roland van Wijnen

GVK-Siya Zama launches dedicated civils unit

By: Irma Venter 9th October 2020 Construction company GVK-Siya Zama has added a dedicated civils unit to its operational offering. Through this unit, the company aims to create jobs and improve society by filling the void left by many companies in the construction industry that had to close their doors. →

Lifting equipment provides reliability, increased productivity

9th October 2020 Included in equipment supplier Becker Mining South Africa’s range of equipment manufacturer Kito lifting equipment, is the durable Kito high-speed CB manual chain hoist series, which is suitable for use in shipbuilding and restorations. These hoists, which offer swift lifting and lowering speeds... →

VERSATILE HOISTING These hoists, which offer swift lifting and lowering speeds for increased productivity, are designed to safely handle rated loads between 2.5 t and 50 t

Afrimat earnings slowly rise following pandemic impact

By: Simone Liedtke 7th October 2020 Industrial minerals and building materials supplier Afrimat is expecting to report headline earnings a share of between 181.9c and 191c for the six months ended August 31, representing an increase of between 0% and 5% year-on-year. Earnings a share are expected to be between 183.5c and 192.7c,... →

Afrimat Construction Index tanks in Q2, but ‘strong performance’ in second half predicted

By: Irma Venter 2nd October 2020 The second-quarter (Q2) Afrimat Construction Index (ACI) has dropped sharply on the back of the national lockdown regulations imposed between April and June to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. JSE-listed openpit miner Afrimat produces industrial minerals, bulk commodities and construction materials. →

Consultant emphasises importance of careful selection of galvanised steel sheet for light metal frame structures, roofing

By: Simone Liedtke 1st October 2020 Careful selection of continuously galvanised steel sheet products can help to avoid premature corrosion of roofing and cladding on buildings, says galvanising consultant Terry Smith. Continuously galvanised sheet is produced in a hot-dip galvanising process, after which it may be further coated... →

Transformation in construction materials sector requires closer scrutiny

By: Donna Slater 30th September 2020 Large stakeholders in the construction materials sector need to be more closely scrutinised to determine their true transformation, especially in terms of the empowerment of women, Human Settlements director general Mbulelo Tshangana said on September 30. He spoke during the Social Housing... →

PPC given dispensation to delay results as it finalises restructuring and refinancing

By: Terence Creamer 30th September 2020 Cement producer PPC, which was expected to report 2020 financial results by September 30, reported on Wednesday that it has received dispensation from the JSE to delay the announcement to the week of October 5. The extension was granted in light of the impact the Covid-19 pandemic had on the... →

NUM supports Cosatu strike against corruption

By: Sane Dhlamini 29th September 2020 The National Union of Mineworkers said on Tuesday that it would take part in the Congress of South African Trade Unions’ October 7 strike against corruption. NUM said while it noted efforts from President Cyril Ramaphosa to fight corruption, workers were losing confidence in government’s ability... →

Maintenance work completed during lockdown

By: Halima Frost 25th September 2020 A team of eight work-at-height specialists representing rope access company Skyriders has safely completed the cleaning and maintenance of two storage tanks at a petrochemicals producer, in Mpumalanga. The maintenance project, which was conducted during Level 5 of the Covid-19 lockdown period,... →

Skyriders marketing manager Mike Zinn discusses a recently completed maintenance project that required specialised rope access expertise. Camerawork: Halima Frost. Editing: Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 21.08.2020

Structures assist in practical training

By: Halima Frost 25th September 2020 Increased interest in the training of working-at-height personnel in eMalahleni, in Mpumalanga, and Rustenburg, in North West, has led to permanent scaffolding structures being erected at safety training solutions provider KBC Health and Safety’s training facilities in the two provinces. KBC... →

HIGHER GRADE Being able to do practical training at height is now possible with the structures erected at KBC's various training facilities

Accreditations incorrectly processed cause distress – institute

By: Halima Frost 25th September 2020 Although many working-at-height training providers claim to be accredited with the sector education and training authority (Seta), the professional body for Working at Height (IWH) warns that certifications received by trainees from these training providers are not necessarily being uploaded and... →

CLEAN SWEEP Having clean clear directives allows professional body Working at Height to equip the sector with the correct tools for safe working protocols

Safety during wind turbine upgrades offered

25th September 2020 Specialist design and manufacturing company Power Curve ApS has forged a strategic partnership with working at height specialists Dangle Rope Access, to help deliver specialist installation services for wind turbine performance upgrades across the UK's wind farm sector. Announced in July, the... →

DANGLING IN THE WIND Dangle will offer rope access services to the upgrade and maintenance of UK's wind farms in partnership with Power Curve ApS

Call for improved enforcement as construction transport accidents run up R352m tab

By: Irma Venter 22nd September 2020 Statistics provided by the Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM) – the workmen’s compensation insurer for the building industry – indicate that there were 929 motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) in 2018 involving people working within the construction industry. “While this may seem low,... →

PPC makes ‘positive progress’ on restructuring, finance project

By: Simone Liedtke 15th September 2020 JSE-listed cement manufacturer PPC Cement has made positive progress on its restructuring and finance programme, with the objective of implementing a sustainable capital structure. PPC has received funding confirmation from South African lenders, who the company says will provide various short-... →

Topics In These Articles

Business Electrical Engineering Fabrication Financial Manufacturing Modular rail Steel Aveng Construction PROJECT Roads Africa Cleaning Coal Energy Generator Generators Industrial Installation Power Renewable Energy Road Solar Storage System Waste Water Environment ... more

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