REDEFINING SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTRUCTION FOR A DIGITAL AGE
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READYING SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTRUCTION FOR THE DIGITAL AGE WRITTEN BY
DALE BENTON PRODUCED BY
STUART IRVING
Bringing profound knowledge and innovative construction solutions, PERI looks to navigate the digital revolution of South Africa’s construction industry
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s the world’s largest manufacturer of formwork and scaffolding, PERI is a company defined by a core mis-
sion to bring profound expert knowledge in both industry best practice and technology through a strong understanding of local environments and requirements. This mission places PERI as a key contributor to the redefining of the construction space as technology and innovation continues to drive real change. This unique position is what excites Willem Adriaan Brits, Director of Engineering for PERI in sub-Saharan Africa.
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“I’ve been very passionate about con-
insight into what the real stumbling
struction my whole life,” he says. “At PERI
blocks are in the industry, not only in
we are at the forefront of real change and
day to day operations but in embracing
a position where we can make a differ-
technology and innovation.
ence to the research and the
That is essentially his role with PERI
development of new ideas. We are look-
across South Africa – to enable con-
ing at innovation and improvements
tractors in the construction space to
which will enhance construction projects
construct their projects faster, more
and the constructability of these projects.”
efficiently and more safely, and the
Brits has extensive experience in the construction space, having worked in a number of construction roles over the
major piece in this puzzle is technology and digitalisation. “The key thing for us in improving con-
course of his career. It is experience
structability is to build information and
that he feels provides him with a key
wider access to that information,” he says. w w w. p e r i . c o . z a
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“What it boils down to is creating access to people on construction sites and seeing 3D designs with live documentation, live design guides, design manuals etc. “This will make it more effective, more efficient and easier. That’s what we do, we shoulder customer problems through digital construction solutions and a more modern thinking approach to construction.” The challenge in changing an industry, one that is historically one of the slower moving sectors in the
“THAT’S WHAT WE DO, WE SHOULDER CUSTOMER PROBLEMS THROUGH DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS AND A MORE MODERN THINKING APPROACH TO CONSTRUCTION” — Willem Adriaan Brits Director of Engineering for sub-Saharan Africa
digital space, is changing a culture. With technology transformations and a shift towards digital innovative solutions, what impact does this have on the people? Construction by its very nature relies on labour and in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, labour is far cheaper than other countries. “Unfortunately, cheaper labor results in a lack of or considerably lower skill levels across the sector,” says Brits. “In turn, this means that actually applying digital and innovative solutions comes at a price. w w w. p e r i . c o . z a
“So, there is a tendency across
PERI works with what Brits
the industry not to move forward
describes as the entire engineering
and rely on cheaper solutions
value chain. Looking at the con-
attached with cheaper labour,
struction sector there are the
which then means projects take
property owners, infrastructure
longer and aren’t completed as effi-
owners, designers and developers,
ciently. It’s a real stumbling block.”
engineers and the mechanical
Brits notes that to break down a culture established over
teams that work on site. In order to adopt a new way
hundreds of years is difficult,
of working and implement new
but that there is an opportunity
technology enabled solutions
to embrace a new, more effi-
across that ecosystem, it
cient, safer and innovative
requires collaborative communi-
industry. It will just take time
cation at every stage of the
and communication.
value chain.
BIO
Willem Adriaan Brits Director of Engineering for sub-Saharan Africa With hands-on experience on infrastructure and building projects and an MBA (University of Stellenbosch and Vlerick in Belgium) he gained the necessary knowledge to effectively influence, coach and manage teams and managers to enable business units to achieve key performance targets. His passion for sailing/work life balance has enhanced his ability as a leader though the application of the strategic, risk and people management and environmental-awareness skills gleaned to other aspects of both life and work. Through his tenure, Riaan has always contributed to the larger society as a whole and have been actively involved with Professional Industry bodies in the form of office bearer with bodies such as the Concrete Society of South
Africa (CSSA), Young Professionals Forum (YPF), South African National Standard for Scaffolding and Formwork (SANS, current) and the Institute for Working at Heights (IWH - current). His contributions have not stopped at industry only and he also believe in social awareness and has been integrally involved with the Imadaba Social project which fosters social cohesion since 2016. Riaan is driven by a desire to actively expand his horizons, build human capital and coach people to continuously improve themselves. He lives a full life and is a blessed husband and father who draws strength from his family.
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“Through information and management tools it enables everyone to link up more collaboratively,” says Brits. “We can see and help
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design the buildings and look at the constructability at the very early stages. All of
Click to watch: ‘Formwork, scaffolding and engineering from one source’
this will directly relate in cost savings, from the initial set up of a programme right through to construction. “All the clashes and stumbling blocks can be addressed, resulting in a much smoother construction process.” As with any technology implementation, capability is key. But what can be readily adopted in one construction space in Europe, or the United States, may not be as simple in South Africa or sub-Saharan Africa. This is
“MOST PEOPLE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE CHANGE TO DIGITAL SPACE. IF WE CAN COMMUNICATE TO THEM AND SHOW THEM HOW IT WILL BOOST THEIR ACTIVITY AND THEIR EFFICIENCY,THEN THE INDUSTRY WILL IMPROVE. IT’S A MINDSET,AND MINDSETS CAN CHANGE” — Willem Adriaan Brits Director of Engineering for sub-Saharan Africa
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something that Brits is all too aware of as he feels that, much like the reliance on cheaper labour, there is a reliance to remain using the current, outdated software. Alas, new technology is being adopted more and more across the continent, and the key for Brits is practice and communication. “We need to discuss the cost of software and the business
“IF YOU’RE CLOSE TO THE SUPPLIERS,THEY UNDERSTA BETTER WHERE YOU WANT TO GO AND WHAT WE WAN TO ACHIEVE – THEY HELP US MAKE THE FIRST MOVE.THE ARE ENTRENCHED IN THE INDUSTRY AND SEE HOW BEST TO NAVIGATE THE OBSTACLES ALONG THE WA
case for it more and more,” he 12
says. “Most people are excited about the change to digital space. If we can communicate to them and show them how it will boost their activity and their efficiency, then the industry will improve. It’s a mindset, and mindsets can change.” Brits also points to the future of digital requiring more skilled people and so PERI works in skilling and reskilling people to better prepare the industry for this digitally enabled future. Navigating the journey of adopting and implementing technology across a largescale sector is a task one cannot complete alone. PERI works with a number of contractors and suppliers across the entire
— Willem Adriaan Brits Director of Engineering for sub-Saharan Africa
AND
NT S EY
AY� 13
1969
Year founded
670
Approximate number of employees
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construction value chain and Brits feels that the relationships that PERI forms and fosters with these suppliers is crucial. “In all the areas – design, construction, technology and engineering – it’s paramount that you are close to the suppliers,” he says. “If you’re close to the suppliers, they understand better where you want to go and what we want to achieve – they help us make the first move. They are entrenched in the industry and see how best to navigate the obstacles along the way.” The construction industry in South Africa is changing, for better and for worse. Brits
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points to how a number of larger play-
ogy brings to the industry, and that it is
ers in the sector, ones that have
only just beginning.
operated for hundreds of years, have
“I really see a big space for applying
had to change their operations in order
digital information and having live data,
to survive. In some cases, some have
just that information sharing collabora-
fallen into liquidation and disappeared.
tion process. There’s a lot of space for
To look at it from a different perspective, this has seen smaller companies
that,” he says. “I think there’s a large amount of
and the companies that have survived
opportunity. There’s a big change and a
this change becoming far more agile
big shift that’s going to come.”
which is key to embracing the technological and digitally defined future. For Brits, these movements highlight the opportunity that digital and technolw w w. p e r i . c o . z a
15 Range Road, Blackheath 7580, Western Cape, South Africa T +27 (0)21 880 7777 www.peri.co.za