Full Name: Dirk Cornelius Lourens
Position and Company Name: COO of Raubex Group
Main Activity of the Company: Raubex is one of South Africa’s leading infrastructure development and construction materials supply groups. Established in 1974, it listed on the JSE in March 2007 and operates throughout Southern Africa and Western Australia
Date and Place of Birth: December 8, 1972, Montagu, Western Cape
Schools and Tertiary Education: Matric, Bultfontein High School, 1990; civil engineering, Free State Technikon, 1991 to 1992; registration with the South African Council for Project and Construction Professions as a professional construction manager
First Job: I started off in Brandfort as a site agent on a small water reticulation project in January 1994
Size of First Pay Packet: R1 650 a month
Career Path to Date: I joined Raubex in July 2012 and was instrumental in the establishment of Raubex Infra. I was promoted to divisional head of the Infrastructure division and served on the executive committee from May 2017. I was appointed Raubex Group COO effective August 1, 2022. Prior to joining Raubex, I was cofounder of Meyker Construction in 1995, which was later acquired by Sanyati Construction. For the better part of the more than 28 years I have been in the construction industry, I have occupied supervisory, managerial and executive positions
Value of Assets under Your Control: R6.3-billion
Number of People under Your Leadership: 7 500 employees
Management Style: I embrace a bit of the authoritative and laissez-faire management styles. I provide a clear vision and direction to employees, but I allow them the freedom to figure out the best way to achieve the goals using their own creativity and experience
Personal Best Achievement: Being appointed as executive COO of the Raubex Group
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife – for believing in me and having my back, no matter what
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Louis Raubenheimer and Rudolf Fourie
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Author, life coach and professional outdoorsman Brent Alan Henderson
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Former Raubex owner and CEO Koos Raubenheimer
Philosophy of Life: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts” – Winston Churchill. I also live by the rule of doing things right the first time
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being given the chance in 2012 by Louis Raubenheimer to start Raubex Infra as a subsidiary that specialises in renewable energy, telecommunication and general infrastructure development
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not having succeeded when I applied for my first job at Raubex in 1994. However, I now realise that it was a great life lesson: just because it’s not happening right now doesn’t mean it will never happen
Hope for the Future: In my professional life, I hope to continue making a difference at Raubex and helping the company reach new highs in the years to come. Personally, I hope for happiness and good health for my family and me
Favourite Reading: Deon Meyer
Favourite TV Programme: Blacklist
Favourite Food/Drink: Braaivleis and homecooked meals; Rock Shandy
Favourite Music: Afrikaans
Favourite Sport: Rugby
Hobbies: Knife making
Car: Ford Raptor
Pets: Two Yorkies and two cats (they are actually my daughters’ pets)
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Dishonest people
Married: To Luanda, for 25 years
Children: Leandri, 16; Anlea, 14
Clubs: None