Since 1989
March-April 2019, Vol 30 No.2 Africa's leading construction journal
Smart Cities Africa’s Ambitious Dream of Better City, Better Life
Steel Made in Africa Low Cost Housing Buying Paint
MANAGING EDITOR Robert Barnes DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Francis Makari EDITOR - in - CHIEF Dennis Ayemba COUNTRY EDITORS Uganda Uganda -- Betty Betty Nabakooza Nabakooza Nigeria Nigeria -- Boladale Boladale Ademiju Ademiju South Africa Jimmy South Africa - Jimmy Swira Swira WRITERS WRITERS Yvonne Yvonne Andiva, Andiva, Dorcas Dorcas Kang'ereha, Kang'ereha, Pascal Musungu, Pascal Musungu, Anita Anita Anyango, Anyango WEB & GRAPHIC DESIGN WEB & GRAPHIC DESIGN Chepkemoi Faith Chepkemoi Faith Sales and Marketing Manager Sales and Marketing Ken Okore Manager Ken Okore
CON Since 1989
March-April 2019, Vol 30 No.2
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ADVERTISING ADVERTISING Kenya: William Mutama, Lilian Khavosa, Kenya: William Mutama, Lilian Khavosa, Fredrick Otieno Fredrick Otieno South Africa: Thuli Nkosi, Winnie SentSouth Africa: Thuli Nkosi, Winnie Sentabire, abire, Angeline Angeline Ntobeng, Ntobeng, Uganda: Uganda: Nobert Nobert Turiyo, Turiyo, Selina Selina Salumah Salumah Namuli Namuli Botswana: Botswana: Dickson Dickson Manyudza, Manyudza, Gerald Gerald Mazikana Mazikana Ethiopia: Ethiopia: Haimanot Haimanot Tesfaye, Tesfaye, Ruth Ruth Girma Girma Tanzania: Tanzania: Tom Tom Kiage Kiage
REGULARS
Malawi: Malawi: Anderson Anderson Fumulani Fumulani Ghana: Ghana: Samuel Samuel Hinneh, Hinneh, Caleb Caleb Donne Donne Hadjah Zambia: Susan Kandeke Zimbabwe: Chiedza Chimombe Rwanda: Collison Lore Nigeria: Seni Bello China:Weng Jie
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Send your letters to: info@constructionreviewonline.com Construction Review is published eleven times a year and is circulated to members of relevant associations, governmental bodies and other personnel in the building and construction industry as well as suppliers of equipment, materials and services in Africa, the Middle and Far East. The editor welcomes articles and photographs for consideration. Material may not be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher. The publisher does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or authenticity of advertisements or contributions contained in the journal. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Š All rights reserved.
Editor's Comment 3 Corporate News 4 Events 5 Management 6 Opinion
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cover story: Are Smart Cities in Africa a far-fetched dream?: Steel: Providing steel for East Africa’s growth Paint: what to look for when buying paint HVAC: Corrosion of HVAC Coil and Cabinetry
Published by Group Africa Publishing Ltd Head Office and for all enquiries: Consolidated Bank House, 4th floor, Koinange Street, Nairobi 00100 Kenya, Tel: +254 722525326, +254-20-8000307 Email: info@groupafricapublishing.com Uganda Agent Projects Unusual Uganda Ltd. Jemba Plaza, Luwum St. Kampala, Uganda Tel: +256 776 883181 bettykatongole@yahoo.com Botswana Agent Cadline (Pty) Ltd. P/Bag 494 Gaborone, Botswana.
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TENT
March - April 2019 Volume 30 No. 2
Editor's Comment
What To Look For When Buying Paint
It’s not just about ICT when it comes to smart cities in Africa As mass urbanization continues across Africa, putting in place the fundamental infrastructure needed to build smart cities has never been more important.
Buying paint is an important decision for any property owner. When it comes to paint, more money usually does buy you more durability; a top-quality can of paint will contain a higher percentage of titanium oxide — the solid pigment.
Smart cities are emerging in Rwanda, Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya. For all of them, the first hurdle is installing the ICT infrastructure, but the capabilities required to kick-start smart city services and efficiencies reach beyond ICT.
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Smart cities don’t just deliver cost savings and efficiencies; creating a sustainable enabling environment can impact economic potential and growth. In Africa, a dearth of infrastructure provides a Greenfield opportunity to get it right first time. However, strategic planning will be key to success.
Low-Cost Housing Depending on the country and culture, there are many different approaches to the creation of affordable living space.
ICT may be the core upon which smart cities are built, but getting buy-in from stakeholders to deliver smart services means building relationships – putting in place processes and integrating systems and implementing the right controls, security and management systems.
What is crucial is that they can be implemented by local people using the locally available materials.
20 LOW-COST HOUSING: A lot of living space for a little money with Concrete Precast Element Buildings 28 Profile: Design Partnership Limited enters Top 100 Club 30 Project: Purple Haze 33 Project: Bandari Apartments Phase II Underway 38
As infrastructure is rolled out, citizens connect and services go live; cities become smarter. To put the fundamentals in place, smart governments and developers should choose partners that have strong technical and technology expertise but also broader integration, orchestration, strategic and management capabilities.
Robert Barnes
Email: kenya@groupafricapublishing.com, info@northwest.or.ke
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CORPORATE NEWS
FPT Industrial expands presence in Africa
Evans Avundiku (left) a PG Bison Trainer demonstrates how to fix a motion runner on a drawer board to Wilson Andeche (right), an artisan at the Company’s Blum Training Centre. PG Bison has trained more than 600 artisans (fundis) to design.
PG Bison artisan training boosts shift to modern power tools
FPT Industrial is broadening its business in Africa & Middle East through a partnership with a new dealer in Egypt. M. Ahmed Daoud & Co, with its main office in Cairo, is now responsible for sales and service of engines for industrial applications, power generation, agriculture pumps and firefighting. The dealer will also provide stock and sales of genuine FPT spare parts.
MBK expands its range of products with new cage welding machine MBK Maschinenbau GmbH has long been known in the industry for its innovation. As one of the leading manufacturers in the welding machines and reinforcement systems for the civil engineering and the concrete precast industry, the global player responds promptly and flexibly to the requirements of a rapidly changing and innovative market.
FPT Industrial already has a strong presence in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, MBK is constantly working to Democratic Republic of Congo, continually improve and expand Angola and South Africa. its large product portfolio to PG Bison, one of the largest manufacturers of MDF and particle Solid experience in the provide solutions to customers board furniture components in Kenya has in the recent years trained power generation segment around the world that can generate more than 600 artisans to design, fabricate and install kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, shop fit-outs and office furniture, and use proper The partner was chosen because of real competitive advantages. tools for the assembly and installation work. its solid experience in the power generation segment, technical In all developments, the individual PG Bison has a list of trained artisans who can be recommended to product expertise and after sales requirements and needs of clients who purchase their products. These are carpenters who have services efficiency. the customers are taken into gone through the structured training and PG Bison has inspected account and this high degree of their work at various sites to ensure that they have met the required For FPT Industrial, Egypt is a standards. individualization is professionally strategic country for its commercial realized. operations in North Africa and The training of artisans by PG Bison has encouraged the shift from in the Middle East, and the the use of solid wood to wood-based panel products. This has collaboration will bring valuable With the new cage welding resulted in a higher level of cabinet finishing in homes and offices outcomes for its business machine ASM for the flexible that is comparable to that found internationally. production of reinforcement for The new dealer is well known and The raw materials for their panels are sourced in South Africa from driven and bored piles as well respected in Egypt, with a deep responsibly managed, sustainable and renewable “man-made” familiarity on how to offer the right as supports and masts, MBK forests, and do not cause forestry degradation on the continent. solution for local customers. expanded its range of products. In recent years with the furniture industry shifting from using solid wood to other wood based products like medium density fiberboard (MDF) and particleboard, traditional carpentry hand tools are being replaced with modern power tools.
64Door Factory opens state of the art production facility in Nairobi 64Door Factory, a manufacturer of interior wooden doors recently launched its investment in Kenya after opening of a state of the art production facility in Nairobi worth US $2.4m. The company targets to provide high quality interior door sets and installation service to the building industry in East Africa. The launch further reinforces Kenya as a preferred foreign investment destination in the region.
Mr Nyamu Wanyoike director 64 Door Factory ltd, Patrick Bucha , Secretary State Department for Housing and Urban Development, Ms Kadri Humal Ayal, Estonian Honorary Consul and Tobias Alando, Head of Membership, Kenya Association of Manufacturers, during the launch of 64Door Factory in Kenya.
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64Door Factory has a large stock of different doors in its factory facility in Nairobi which enables the company to provide services to individual builders as well as small and large-scale construction projects with short delivery and installation times. The factory has the capacity to produce over 50,000 doors annually. The door factory comes at a time when the Goverment of Kenya is aggressively fostering the Big 4 agenda: manufacturing, food security, universal healthcare and affordable housing.
This project is timely and will buttress the twin pillars of housing and manufacturing. By manufacturing in the country, the company will facilitate technology transfer and human capital formation through skills transfer to local staff.
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The factory estimates to employ over 100 staff at full production who will be equipped with skills on latest technologies and best practices in woodworking. Speaking at the launch, 64Door Factory Ltd. Director Mr. Nyamu Wanyoike said that the decision to set up operations in Nairobi was based on the current needs of the country. He further expressed his optimism about their long term partnership approach with Kenyan builders, suppliers, distributors, resellers, contractors and professionals, among other stakeholders, in the construction sector. “We will offer one stop shop solutions to our customers for their door requirements, a shift from the current market practices.The products are imported quality level;although locally produced. We also offer pre and after sales support.” Mr.Nyamu concluded. www.constructionreviewonline.com
EVENTS
Manufacturing Indaba East Africa, 7-8 May 2019 – Nairobi, Kenya Manufacturing East Africa is borne from the success of the Manufacturing Indaba conference & exhibition which is hosted in South Africa, annually. There has been a call from the South African manufacturers to expand and sell their products and services into Africa and to explore business partnerships and synergies with a focus towards Regional Integration. Manufacturing accounts for about 70% of global trade and about 80% of global business R&D (McKinsey Global Institute 2012).
The Africa Energy Forum 11-14 JUNE 2019
Buildexpo Africa returns to Rwanda with the 2nd Edition
The Africa Energy Forum (AEF) is the global investment meeting for Africa’s power, energy, infrastructure and industrial sectors.
After 20 successful editions of Buildexpo in Kenya and Tanzania, East Africa’s largest building and construction fair has now ventured into the Rwandan market.
A pioneer of the industry, for the last 20 years AEF has gathered governments, utilities, power developers, financial institutions, power technology providers, EPC contractors and consultants from all over the world to discuss investment and projects in Africa’s energy sector. The Forum has evolved into the number one platform to attend meetings, do deals and drive projects forward, all under one roof.
Buildexpo Africa is the only show For more information about how to attend, visit www. with the widest range of the latest africa-energy-forum.com or contact AEF@energynet.co.uk technology in construction machinery, building material machines, mining Date:14 June 2019 machines, construction vehicles and construction equipment.
Manufacturing thus remains a driver of economic prosperity in advanced economies.The global environment in which the Eastern Africa manufacturing sector develops going forward will be greatly different compared to that which manufacturing sectors developed elsewhere in the past.
Countries dominant this year are Germany, China, India, Saudi Arabia, UK, USA and Italy with several leading international brands looking to build a solid foundation in the East African market. It will be held at the newly built Kigali Convention Centre ( KCC ); one of the most modern and expensive buildings in Africa.
This has significant implications for Eastern Africa policy.
Kenya
- Ethiopian Association of Civil Engineers
- Institute of Engineers of Kenya - Association of Consulting Engineers of - Kenya - Association of Professional Societies of East Africa APSEA)
- Construction Contractors Association of Ethiopia
Nigeria
Zimbabwe
- Association of Consulting Engineers Nigeria - Association of Professional Women
- Zimbabwe Institute of Quantity Surveyors
- Kenya Property developers Association
- Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers
- Institution of Surveyors of Kenya
Association Partners
and Quantity Surveyors (AQSRB)
- Association of Ethiopian Architects
- Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya
South Africa - ASAQS
- Tanzania’s Registration Board of Architects
Ethiopia
- Architectural Association of Kenya
- The Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe (Cifoz)
- SAICE
- South African Council for the Quantity
In partnership with RDB (Rwanda Development Board) the 2nd edition of Buildexpo in Rwanda will provide an international business platform by enabling global investment opportunities and business.
Surveying Profession
Ghana - Ghana Institute of Engineers
Engineers Of Nigeria - Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria - The Nigerian Institute of Architects - American Association of Petroleum Geologists Africa Region
- Khuthaza ( Women for Housing)
- Architects Registration Council
- Concrete Manufacturers Association
- Ghana Institute of Surveyors
- Green Building council of SA
- Ghana Green Builders Association
- South African Property Owners Association
- Ghana Institute of Planners
- Master Builders South Africa
- Association of Building and Civil Engineering
- Building and Construction Skilled Artisans
Contractors of Ghana
Association of Nigeria (BACSAAN)
Uganda
- Nigeria Society of Engineers - Nigeria Institute of Architects
Institute of Surveyors of Uganda
Namibia
Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers (UIPE) &
Institute of Namibian Quantity Surveyors
Zambia
Uganda society of Architects
Association of Consulting Engineers of Namibia
- Zambia Institute of Architects (ZIA)
Botswana
- Tanzania Institute of Quantity Surveyors
- Institute of Botswana Quantity Surveyors
Tanzania
- Construction Regulation Board (CRB)
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- Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors (ABCEC). March - April 2019 | CR
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MANAGEMENT
Important provisions to look for in a construction contract
L
et’s admit it, construction contracts are long, boring documents. So, why spend the time reading those papers page by page, right? This article is for those currently searching the key elements, terms and provisions that must be included or reviewed in any contract entered into with a general contractor, homeowners, and/or a subcontractor.
must specify the time frame when you are expected to work. This includes the commencement date and target completion date. By adding the “time is of the essence” clause, you are advised to provide an ample crew to perform the task at the exact time. This is usually instructed at the start of your work.
Scope of Work Normally,you will be working for a person that you have met recently — a client to be exact. But that doesn’t mean you will do everything he says.
Termination Clause This details the situations under which the parties may end their legal relationship and discontinue their obligations under the agreement. The law allows the parties to terminate the agreement by mutual consent if one has breached the contract.
A contract must set forth the job description of what the contractors have agreed to perform. This must be written very specifically to prevent any misunderstanding and confusion.
Adding termination clauses in your construction contract is necessary. This can let you escape from a homeowner who is not paying you at the right time and in the exact amount.
A contract also states that you must comply with all existing project plans, specifications and building codes. By specifically setting forth within the contract the scope and non-scope of the work of the contractor, discrepancies in the future as to the duties and obligations of the contractor will be greatly minimized.
The clause may expand or limit the common law right to terminate and may contain the following termination events, which may be mutual or unilateral, and optionally include a right to cure.
Key provisions in a contract
“Time is of the Essence” Clause Time is gold- this applies to contracts too. To prevent any costly delays, a contract 6
Payment Terms This one surely is the best part for builder’s perspective but crucial too. The payment terms and schedule can be a sensitive issue for the contractual parties. Most building disputes are caused by disagreements with
CR | March - April 2019
payment so better make sure that the progress payment method is clearly stated. However, the Security of Payment Act can always help contractors, builders, and subcontractors by protecting their legal rights to payment. The payment clauses are the first thing you should consider. So you better add a payment term section in your contract if you want to prevent any conflicts to happen. Dispute resolution clause The dispute resolution methods are needed whenever each party find themselves stuck in a conflict or issue. We have many methods to resolve a dispute such as meditation, arbitration, adjudication, and litigation. Incorporating dispute resolution clauses are essential parts of your construction contract so it should be well-drafted and clear. There is a 90% chance of you getting into a dispute within a project so you better be prepared when this happens. No damage for delay clause Each builder must always carefully examine the contract documents to know if there is a no damage delay clause within the contract terms. This provision implies that whilst the contractor or subbie is not entitled to a claim for delay damages, he will be entitled to an extension of time; and the risks that may be encountered during the building process should be included in the contract.
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OPINION
Better City, Better Life: Building sustainable and resilient cities Sustainability is a lens through which the planning, project delivery, and development processes focus to achieve the needs of the communities today without sacrificing capacity for future generations. Alison Groves, The Regional Director Africa of WSP Building Services.
C
ities already account for approximately 70-80% of the world’s economic growth, and this will only increase as cities continue to grow. In the next 35 years, the population in cities is estimated to expand by an additional 2.5 billion people, almost double the population of China. As a vital component for connectivity, public health, social welfare, and economic development, infrastructure in all its forms – basic, social, and economic – is critical for the anticipated urban growth. As a day to promote the international community’s interest in global urbanization and contribute to sustainable development around the world, 31st October marks World Cities Day – where the spotlight on building sustainable cities comes to the fore. “Globally, the annual investment required to cover the gap for resilient infrastructure is estimated at US $4.5-US $5.4 trillion,” said Riaan Graham, sales director for Ruckus Networks, sub-Saharan Africa.
cities is to deploy public Wi-Fi. Continues Graham; “Public Wi-Fi is a great way to create a more vibrant community and also connect citizens, businesses and visitors. But the benefits of Wi-Fi don’t stop there. Cities are leveraging smart Wi-Fi for many applications that go well beyond free public access to the Internet such as e-routing traffic, monitoring air pollution, conserving water, improving public safety and encouraging more direct participation, interaction and collaboration with local government offered services.” In fact, according to an IDC InfoBrief Smart City aspects such as networked LED street lighting can provide a 25-50% reduction in operations and energy costs, connected trash bins can yield more than 50% reduction in garbage collection costs, 20–30% cost reduction can be obtained with smart parking and smart water systems can save 40% less clean water loss due to leaks and burst pipes. Such aspects are key to building sustainable cities and managing resources and services. Sustainability lens
In Africa, resilience and livability must be the desired outcomes sought through planning and design processes. Achieving these outcomes will require respecting and balancing local environmental, social, economic, and climate risk priorities.
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“And while no two cities are the same, more than than 50% of the global population – live in cities – and instrumental to achieving sustainable smart cities, is harnessing a new world of digital technology and communication to first enable a connected city.”
Alison Groves, Regional Director, WSP, Building Services, Africa, agrees, but cautions that when planning, designing and building infrastructure within the African context, we need to be conscious that we are operating in spaces that sit at two extreme ends of the development cycle.
Building on connectivity Connectivity is a foundation layer to Smart Cities, both for Internet access and new digital services. A great starting point for
CR | March - April 2019
“On one end, we have cities and urban centres that are faced with challenges to the maintaining the capacity of existing infrastructure networks.
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These nodes still boast long-term infrastructure planning, which includes introducing smart technologies into their city scape that will make these cities more connected, innovative and nimble in the face of future disruption. At the other end of the cycle, however, we have vast areas that are underdeveloped, geographically dispersed, remote, and with limited accessibility to-and-from the nearest urban node.” Groves believes that to be able to support continued and future growth – of populations, industries and economies – long-term planning must be approached with a vision to compensate for both ends of the development cycle and everything in between. “As we look to build cities and spaces for rural communities that are livable, resilient to disruptions, and future proofed, sustainability is the way to get there,”affirms Groves. “Sustainability is a lens through which the planning, project delivery, and development processes focus to achieve the needs of the communities today without sacrificing capacity for future generations. A sustainability lens always includes balancing priorities across several areas, including the economy, community needs, and environmental quality, but also equity, health and well-being, energy, water and materials resources, and transportation and mobility needs,” adds Groves. Resilience and livability Urbanization, demographic shift, environmental changes and new technologies are reshaping the way city leaders are looking at sustainability as well as creating and delivering on public services to address these new dynamics, and the rise of Smart Cities is the response to these challenges. Smart cities will help address the economic and social inequality that this divide creates, by providing Internet access to all citizens. “With robust networks in place, bridging this divide will help bring communities closer together and encourage citizens to play a more active role to local councils. Flawless connectivity will improve city infrastructure and make it possible for citizens to engage with their community, such as removing the roadblocks that complicate access to local services,"he says. "We are already seeing significant foreign direct investment into such key ICT initiatives across the continent, but sustainability has to be at the heart of this if Africa is to create a resilient framework for better cities,” adds Graham. “In Africa, resilience and livability must be the desired outcomes sought through planning and design processes. Achieving these outcomes will require respecting and balancing local environmental, social, economic, and climate risk priorities through a robust planning and data-driven design process,"he says. "Ultimately the goal should be that we are building livable spaces that are people-centric, integrated, connected, smart, nimble and resilient – where societies can thrive, well into the future,” concludes Groves.
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March - April 2019 | CR
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COVER STORY
Egypt’s new capital is an ambitious project by any standards when you consider that it will boast a park double the size of Central Park in New York City.
Are Smart Cities in Africa a far-fetched dream? A
frican countries are presently in the early stages of their urbanization process. Though Africa was the least urbanized region in the world in 2015, only 40% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population lived in cities. It is now the second-fastest urbanizing region in the world (behind Asia); population experts predict that by 2020, Africa will be on top. Indeed, a 2016 report by consulting firm Deloitte noted a set of factors that make African cities ideal candidates for the adoption of smart cities technology. For example, as some African countries presently lack steady telecommunication cable installations, African cities can install the newest available ICT technology, removing the costs associated with removing or upgrading existing ICT infrastructure. Importantly, the continent’s booming young population is also an advantage as young people are more likely to adopt technology and, as the Deloitte report suggests, more likely to adopt smart city technology. 10
Benefits of smart cities Smart cities aim to use new data-collecting technology and modernized infrastructure to provide safer and more efficient services for their citizens. This can take a variety of forms, many of which have already begun to be used around the continent. Although smart cities in Africa are still in their infancy, they have advantages;while many cities in the developed world have to maintain outdated infrastructure, African cities can build updated services and facilities from the ground up. As African economies continue to grow, these modernized cities will be able to make more sustainable use of resources, respond better to crises and adapt to a world racing forward in the field of technology. A continental push for smart cities The May 2017 Transform Africa Summit—which created initiatives to incorporate information and communication technologies as a key determinant of socio-economic development in Africa convened 300 African mayors in addition to the usual heads-of-state and ministers. At the summit, the government of Rwanda unveiled the Smart Cities Blueprint, a
CR | March - April 2019
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framework aimed to accelerate the adoption of ICT-driven initiatives in cities across Africa. The blueprint urges African countries to think ahead as they face urban expansion. At the national level, countries such as Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia have launched smart cities efforts. The Nigerian Smart City Initiative, announced last June, aims to increase Nigeria’s ICT innovations and showcase ways through which they can be linked with physical infrastructure to improve service delivery. The case of Rwanda Rwanda is one of the pioneers of smart city engineering in Africa. Modernizing Kigali is part of a wider effort by the Rwanda government to increase and simplify access to public services. The Irembo platform launched by the government, seeks to create e-government services to allow citizens to complete public processes online, such as registering for driving exams and requesting birth certificates. In addition, the country is active in involving the private sector in its goal towards creating smart cities. In mid-May, the Rwandan government launched a partnership with Nokia and SRG in order to deploy smart city technology to “improve the lifestyle and social sustainability of [Rwandan] citizens.” The project involves investment in network Nigeria’s Eko Atlantic is an entire new coastal city being built on Victoria Island, connectivity and sensor deployment to improve public adjacent to the city of Lagos. safety, waste management, utility management, and health care, among other functions. of the coastline. Neighboring regions with independent reliable electricity, have experienced coastal erosion and if advances fiber optic telecoms and clean Rwanda’s smart city rollout has not been perfect, though, proper measures are not put in place, the water utility services already set up and proving that smart city development can hit some snags: For same could happen to Eko Atlantic. To installed. example, in 2016, the city started rolling out buses with free combat this, a ‘Great Wall’ is being built Wi-Fi and cashless payment service, but the buses have had to hold the sea water and prevent it from There are major constructions going connectivity issues related to the Korea-built technology’s causing damage to the city and its future on with the most significant being the inability to adapt to local conditions. inhabitants. great wall promenade separating the sea water is in its final stages of completion. The case of Nigeria Climate scientists however say that Others include the three towers of Azuri Nigeria’s Eko Atlantic is an entire new coastal city being this will make it worse for neighboring Peninsula, which are currently under built on Victoria Island, adjacent to the city of Lagos. The cities and regions, which do not have the constructionand major road sections as smart city stands on a 10 million square meter piece of land capacity to stop high tides and sea water. well entrances and exits to the canals reclaimed from the Atlantic ocean and is protected by an 8.5 Another major criticism, according to which have been completed.However, kilometer long sea wall. The city, in completion, is expected David Damiano, an author with Sahara there have been a few setbacks in to be self efficient and sustainable, with state-of-the-art Reporters; is that Eko Atlantic is being making this smart city a reality. Among urban design complete with advanced telecommunications, the major setbacks is when the oil prices built for the ultra-wealthy, where they its own power generation and supply, clean water, and can live unaffected by climate change. fell in 2014 and immensely affected spacious roads. Damiano supports this theory by stating Nigeria’s economy, which is largely the immense inequality that Nigeria is entrances and exits to the canals which Eko Atlantic is without a doubt an ambitious project in afflicted with, saying over 60 per cent have been completed.propelled by crude modern real estate, not only in Africa but on a global scale. of the population live survive with less oil. The economy contraction, which Not only is it a marvel of modern technology, it is also a thana dollar a day. was the worst in the last two decades, testament to the rise of Nigeria on the world stage. The city consequently resulted to the construction will set the bar in the next generation of property in Africa Despite the criticisms, the project is still slowing down. that will combine residential, commercial, financial and ongoing and it is expected that in five touristic accommodations. years the mega city will be operational A major concern, however, is the and with it create 250,000 new jobs as environmental impact Eko Atlantic will This major project has brought together contractors and well as address the housing shortage in or might pose. With the city having consultants from around the globe working to transform the country and specifically in Lagos its foundations on reclaimed sea land, theEko Atlantic to a 24-hour, green-conscious, world-class and Victoria Island. environmental groups have raised city. So far a significant amount of progress has taken place concerns over its impact on the rest www.constructionreviewonline.com
March - April 2019 | CR
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COVER STORY
The case of Kenya In 2008, the Government of Kenya approved the creation of Konza Technology City, which would be a pioneering technological city not only in East Africa, but in the entire continent. As part of reaching the country’s Vision 2030, this smart city will not only be sustainable and will be a world class technology hub, but will also be a major economic drive for Kenya. Konza was initially conceived to capture the growing global Business Processing Outsourcing and Information Technology Enabled Services (BPO/ITES) sectors in the country, which has been generating revenue for the country. According to government estimates, BPO/ITES business produced US$110 billion in revenues in 2010. Revenues from this industry were expected to increase three-fold to US$300 billion by 2015. The first phase of Konza Techno City is expected to create over 20,000 new jobs, both directly and indirectly. The city, which is being built on a 5,000 acre piece of land in Malili Ranch, is being developed as a public-private partnership, where the government will take a minimal role in developing the public infrastructure and setting up regulatory guidelines.
Konza Technology City is set to be a pioneering technological city not only in East Africa, but in the entire continent. Despite its ambitious nature, Konza City has a few challenges, with the greatest among them being its location. The techno city is approximately 60 kilometers away from the capital city of Nairobi, which houses major businesses and offices especially in the ICT sector.
The long distance has discouraged people from taking part in the city as most consider Its construction is planned as a mixed-use, it hectic mostly because of the immense high density walkable city that will be able traffic jams on the roads leading to Konza. to accommodate a diversity of districts and Because of its ‘less strategic’ location, it will programs. The city will be a livable, sustainable urban environment that will encourage high-value be difficult to move businesses as well as financial and investment institutions there. development. According to the government, the project is divided into four phases that will take It will also be an integrated urban information five years each, depending on uptake by and communication technology (ICT) network. investors. A smart city framework will be put in place to integrate four key city services, and these However, investors have also raised are: infrastructure, citizen services (access and concerns and want the government to assure participation), city services (city information, them that the project will have a steady planning and development), and business low cost energy as well as sufficient and services. In detail, the city will feature a uninterrupted water supply as stated in the central business district, a university campus city’s plan. Until then, the investors will with a capacity of 1,500 students, a residential hold on to their funds. community of 185,000 people and parks and wildlife. So far there has been adequate progress, with the government saying that in the next three years it will have completed the infrastructure necessary for a modern techno city. A 40 -kilometer road network will be constructed within the city, along with a fiber cable and electricity reticulation that will be underground. This will enable the city to be operational 24 hours a day.
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As a country rocked by corruption scandals, it will take a tremendous amount of effort from the government to convince investors to get on board. Another challenge is identifying the right investors as some just want a piece of land and will not develop it. The case of Egypt The construction of Egypt’s new capital is an ambitious project by any standards when
CR | March - April 2019
you consider that it will boast a park double the size of Central Park in New York City. It will be adorned by artificial lakes while students will enjoy an array of facilities to be found in about 2,000 educational institutions. The endless list includes a technology and innovation park and as far as health is concerned there will be 663 hospitals and clinics. The city will also have 1,250 mosques and 40,000 hotel rooms. A major theme park is on the cards as well that will be four times bigger than Disney land. The city will be the first smart city in Egypt therefore, it will have: 90 square kilometers of solar energy farms, an electric railway link with Cairo, and a new international airport. The project is being developed by the New Administrative Capital Company, which is jointly owned by the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities and the military. Africa is yet to reap the fruits of the smart cities initiative because none of the proposed projects have completely come to fruition. The experienced setbacks can be attributed to the fact that smart cities in an African context require intelligent planning and an active citizenry rather than the overlay of technological solutions more applicable to international markets such as Europe. Therefore, city planners and policymakers must keep the big picture in mind when promoting smart cities, emphasizing well-implemented infrastructure and citizen needs. www.constructionreviewonline.com
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STEEL
Providing steel for East Africa’s growth
T
hough Africa is arguably the most endowed continent in the world when it comes to mineral wealth one would be mistaken to think otherwise given the low production and consumption of most mining production. Take the example of steel. Steel comes from iron ore and South Africa is the seventhlargest producer of iron-ore and has also traditionally been the fourth-largest exporter worldwide, feeding the fast growing Chinese economy. A focus on exports has meant that despite the fact that Africa does produce iron ore, Africa’s consumption of crude steel has been pegged at a mere 2 percent of global consumption while producing just about the same percentage of crude steel.Steel is essential in both construction and industry as a whole and Africa’s low consumption is an
indicator of her poor economic health. The picture is not as grim as it appears because with GDP growth figures in the range of 5%, this is fast changing and this is evident from the growth in the steel rolling industry which is a logical entry point into establishing an end to end steel industry. But what has fueled this growth in the steel industry? Indicators point to the global economic crisis which has presented Africa with a silver lining as the last few years of loose monetary policy in the West has made Africa more attractive as an investment destination spurred by attractive return to be made in housing and infrastructure development. Trends The upsurge in infrastructure development has driven demand for steel all across Africa resulting in more steel rolling mills either
being established or upgraded to meet this demand. The mills produce galvanized wires, roofing sheets, nails and reinforcement bars for concrete while giving birth to other downstream industries which fabricate wheel barrows, farming implements and water tanks among a myriad of other products. The establishment of the steel rolling mills has meant the creation of jobs both directly and indirectly while local production of finished steel products has meant that hard currency that would have gone into importing the products has been saved. Kenya’s annual demand for steel is estimated at about 480,000 tons to 600,000 tons. The following are some of the biggest steel millers in East Africa which contribute to infrastructural growth in East Africa. infrastructural growth in East Africa.
Doshi the most innovative steel company in East Africa
E
stablished in 1930, Doshi Group has diversified interests in manufacturing and trading which include Steel, PVC/PPR/HDPE pipes & fittings, Electrical products, Power/Telecommunication cables and General Hardware. Doshi & Co (Hardware) Ltd is one of its kind manufacturing entities in Africa producing a comprehensive range of Steel, Electrical and Plastics based products for water systems, irrigation, building, mining, automotive, gas and plumbing industries. Their core strength lies in their ability to foresee and identify evolving customer needs, build up competencies and match them with needs. They have successfully translated this expertise into providing value added products, with focus on customer relationship management and services. True to their business philosophy, a couple of years ago they enhanced theirmanufacturing capacity by installing a state of the art, one of its kind,high precision European tube mill. The mill produces unmatched quality of steel tubes (Square, Rectangular, Circular) with exceptionally tight dimensional tolerances, perfect profile shape, exact length and a very strong weld.
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Doshi is constantly looking for innovative solutions that can help improve their customers’ productivity and also reduce costs.One such product is PreGalvanizedSteel Tubesin square, rectangle and circular shapes. These are sold under the Galtron brand. These are best suited for structural and general fabricationapplications that are exposed to humidity and the elements. By using Pre-Galvanised Tubes, the recurring cost of paining every few years to avoid corrosion is totally eliminated. These tubes can last for over twenty years without requiring any maintenance or painting. This is a huge saving over the life of the product. Green-house manufacturers, now do not need to depend on imported tubes as Doshi can produce them locally, confirming to the highest international standards and deliverthe required tubes in the required lengths, just-in-time,in both small as well as large quantities. Another innovation from Doshi is their ability to produce High Tensile Tubes for structural and mechanical engineering applications including superframes for buses.
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They are the first company in East & Central Africa to manufacture High Tensile Tubes which are marketed under the HyTen 355 brand. These HyTen 355tubes can be used in all structural and mechanical engineering applications. The biggest advantage of using these tubes is the high strength to weight ratio. Proper design and use of these sections can lead in savings of weight of up to 25% in the weight of the structure as compared to the normal tubes of commercial quality. Hence a very big saving on the ultimate cost of the structure or project. Doshi also offers CNC cutting and drilling services. Key benefits are, enhanced productivity where fabrication time is reduced by as much as 50%, reduction in inventory cost by increasing the throughput in the fabricator’s workshop and saving in shop floor space, accuracy and precision, improved cash flow for the fabricator due to reduced fabrication time. Doshi have embarked on a journey of consistently adding value to the customer’s business and this business model has propelled their growth.
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STEEL
TUFFSTEEL LIMITED Construction Review spoke to Tuffsteel Limited Managing Director Dev Mukund Patel on his company’s products and well as the steel industry in general. Are you a manufacturer, distributor or retailer of steel products? If not a manufacturer, where do you source your products from? Tuffsteel Limited is part of the well-established group of companies as a stakeholder of Corrugated Sheets Limited and Mombasa Cement Limited. Through our longstanding partnerships with some of Kenya’s leading and expert manufacturers in steel and cement industry,we specialize in the importation and distribution of a variety ofsteel products, cement, bitumen and all other building and construction needs. Tuffsteel is the go to distributor for all construction materials.
Enumerate your various products and their applications. NON-EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF PRODUCTS STRUCTURAL PURPOSES -Tuffsteel TMT Deformed bars -Round bars -Flat bars -Zed BarsSteel Angles -Z Purlins -I Beans -Tee Bras -Channels -Steel Pipes -Galvanized Pipes -Black pipes -Chequered plates -Steel Plates Expanded Metal -Weldmesh -BRC Mesh -Nails
How long have you been in business? Tuffsteel Limited was incorporated in June 2007 and has grown to be known in the market as the leading factory outlet for all steel and cement products. Where is your business located and do you have branches elsewhere? Tuffsteel Limited Headquarters is located on Mombasa Road–Nairobi. Who is your target market? Tuffsteel Limited trades and distributes a wide spectrum of quality building material to a wide spectrum of consumers. Tuffsteel has supplied to numerouswell established contractors, engineers, developers, general consumers looking to expand/construct their own private structures. Whether it is the fabrication of your dream home or the construction of multi-phased developments to high-rise developments we ensureyou’re your construction needs are cateredall from under one roof. We are Kenya’s “One Stop Solution” for all your construction needs.
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MABATI SHEETING -Coloured Corrugated -Galvanized Corrugated -Box Corrugated
BITUMEN - MC-30 AND K160 - Grade 60/70 - Grade 80/100
CEMENT– - Nyuma Cement – Silver 32.5N - Nyumba Cement Gold 32.5N - Nyumba Cement -Diamond 42.5N MISCELLANEOUS CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS - Wire - Razor Wire - Chain Link& Chicken Wire - Barbed wire - Marine Ply - Welding rods - Polythene - Plastic pipes - Water Tanks - White Cement - Lime - Oxide paint
What makes your products unique and why should customers prefer you to others providing similar products?
Our quality assurance on all our products offers customers the ultimate solutionmaking Tuffsteel theirpreferred suppliedat all times.
We stand for good service, reliability and quality products. Over the years, Tuffsteel Limited has prided itself as a one-stop solution for all quality building and construction related materials whereby a customer can visit our offices with their bill of quantities and be supplied with ALL of their material requests inclusive of delivery.
We pride ourselves with the ability to deliver on demand for every project through our strong logistics network. With our dedicated fleet of over 100 trucks of trailers, cement bulkers, concrete ready mix transit trucks and lorries, are able to deliver products to all locations country-wide.
Whether you are looking for cement, steel products, wire products, pipes and tubes, water tanks or nails, we are the factory outlet of choice! With over 200 products, we cater to all fabrication supplies for small and largescale developmentswith the guarantee of only the highest quality raw material and products.
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Westand by our undefeated promise of same day delivery to all locations within Nairobi and next day delivery to any location across Kenya. Our focus has always been to meet the various and complex requirements of customers making us the market leaders in the supply of construction material whilst simultaneously providing cost effective solutions for the end user. www.constructionreviewonline.com
Through the teamwork of every department of theTuffsteel group, dedication, and undeterred efficiency we have proven ourselves asbeing available to serve customers selflessly to ensure all their needs are satisfied.
concrete, we provide steel bars in concrete to increase its tensile strength ensuring a structurally sound structure. b) OF
QUALITY AND SPECIFICATION STEEL BARS
Mention notable projects where your steel products have been used.
•
Buy only that grade of steel, as prescribed in drawing.
We have been the key suppliers of steel and cement in the below renowned named projects:
•
Check the identification mark on the bars from the manufacturing company. Identification mark will be marked at every running meter of the bar length.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Britam Towers Nairobi Hospital Nairobi University Karen Hub Mall Garden City Mall KCB Head Quarters in Upper Hill Waterfont Mall Kakamega Dam UAP Towers United Nations Headquarters Lamu Port Kilifi Port Sameer Business park Kenya School of Monetary Studies Tribe Hotel, Gigiri Tuff Mall Kisumu Two Rivers Mall Suraya Housing Project
What would you advise a customer looking for steel and who may not know what to look out for? Steel forms a key part of any structure directly impacting on its integrity. A customer should consider the following when making a purchase: a)
•
•
•
There should not be any rust film on bars. Always buy steel bars, which are rust free.
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Insist on steel certificates conforming to all official Kenyan regulations.
c) BRAND
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Always use a brand of steel bars that is reputed to quality standards and specifications prescribed by the government.
•
Avoid using steel from those rolling mills which use “rerolled or scrap steel” as a raw material. These are likely to have higher carbon content, which are prone to high corrosion.
•
Steel bars are needed as reinforcement in reinforced concrete structures. Concrete is a material that is weak in tension but strong in compression. To compensate for this imbalance of
It is advisable to provide steel bars as specified in drawing or as instructed by the structural consultant. Do not avoid consulting the structural consultant to save the fees of the structural consultant.
•
The Quantity You Want to Buy: You should also estimate the exact quantity of steel diameter wise. The wastage of steel bars will cost you highly. You need to work out quantity in advance so you can bargain with the supplier or distributor.
Do you believe the industry is well regulated and that standards set by bodies such as KEBS are adhered to? Steel manufacturers are regulated by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) who regularly exercise periodic and random visitsto manufacturing plants and outlets including our very own taking samples for testing.
Upon testingwe are provided with the necessary results and certifications. It is now common practice for customers to ask for Ensure the weight of reinforcement steel is as these certifications prior to purchasing any product. specified by the prevailing standards.
•
Certification: Request KEBS certification. The certification assures you about its quality as well as the reputation of the manufacturer.
This is an indicator of the efforts the regulator has made to educate the general public on the importance of using quality materials.
•
Always ask for “chemical composition” test from the supplier. Apart from other material, the content of carbon is very important. It should not be more that 0.25 percent as it would accelerate corrosion and which will not only reduce the life of building but also will increase periodical repairing work.
To ensure full compliance throughout the industry, it will be a positive step forward to see more informative and educative initiatives by the regulator targeted to the professionals and unskilled labor on sites with regard to best construction practices to ensure and enforce the integrity of the industry.
•
Buy Steel Bars after Testing: Always try to learn how to test the materials (Chemical and mechanical tests)on site as well as in laboratory in case of bulk buying.
What challenges do steel businesses face and how would you suggest they be resolved?
PURPOSE Select the right type and grade of steel bars depending on your requirement or as considered in structural design/ structural drawing by the structural engineer. It is key that the correct grade, strength and quality of steel is used at all times.
your construction, but you should notcompromise on steel bars and their quality. They are the definite requirement of your structure and directly related to safety and stability of your house.
d) FINANCE
•
Budget: You may economize and save on each and every individual item in
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High cost of doing business:there are certain restrictive costs including –Railway development not applicable anywhere else in the region .
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STEEL
–IDF at 2% of the consigment compared to 1.5% in Tanzania. –Taxes:Kenya has one of the biggest tax regimes globally.
•
High cost of financing: despite the interest cap the cost of loans and advances are exorbitant and prohibitive. The steel industry requires access to affordable and easily accessible financing. This will facilitate technological advances in the sector leading to more efficient production and a higher quality of goods.
T
•
•
High cost of energy: the cost of utilities in Kenya is prohibitive to the manufacturing industry and in turn increases the price of the end product. The supply of water and electricity is not reliable. The steel industry requires reliable affordable energy to flourish. We require a move to affordable and sustainable renewable energy to power steel mills. Currency fluctuations: this leads to fluctuations in billet price which translates to relatively volatile steel
prices from time to time. The regulator needs to put in place monetary policies that would protect the industry from this to ensure its continuity and sustainability.
•
Infrastructure: delivery of products to several regions in the country is still a challenge. Maintenance and improvement of our rail and road network will facilitate efficient delivery more favorable pricing.
TONONOKA GROUP
ononoka Group is a leading manufacturer of steel products in Kenya. From its plants at Embakasi and Dandora in Nairobi, the company supplies a wide range of products that include TMT bars, hollow sections, MS sheets and plates, steel beams, channels, angles, BRC products and many others. The company’s clientele includes Government, traders, building contractors, drillers, fabricators, small, medium and large end users and anyone who requires its products or services.
Corporate mission • To manufacture steel building products meeting world class standards by investing in environment friendly technology and manpower. • To import directly quality steel building products from reputable manufacturers and complement the locally manufactured range of products. • To supply both manufactured and imported products through an established distribution network, at affordable prices to boost the housing and building development.
Tononoka products have been used on major projects in the country. These include Standard Gauge railway, Outer Ring Road, Two Rivers Mall, Garden City Mall, and ongoing National Assembly Tower among others. “Our products are unique and parallel to none”, says Group Marketing Officer David Kioko. “We always promise our clients quality and reliable steel products and services. Quality products remain our goal everyday”. He adds that the company has made massive cash investment on advanced rolling mill and BRC Machines with key attention being placed on advanced steel manufacturing technology, thereby ensuring that Tononoka manufactures and supplies only the correct and preferred steel product. Mr Kioko advises customers to always insist on steel from reputable manufacturers such as Tononoka. “In our case, look out for our TNK branded steel”. He dismisses the casual approach that suggests “any steel is good steel”. He calls upon industry quality regulators to be more stringent, noting that there are still substandard products finding their way into the market. “Constant visits to mills and hardware stores to test steel can work very well because this will always keep manufacturers and traders on their toes”, he reckons. He also calls for policy-centered actions to help manufacturers mitigate high costs of production, labour and other operation related challenges.
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CR | March - April 2019
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PAINT
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING PAINT
B
uying paint is an important decision for any property owner. This is because the type of paint one chooses will play a big role on not only the appearance of a particular wall but also influences the mood.
oil-base because it was more durable and flowed on better. Today oil-based paints use a synthetic oil called alkyd and still require paint thinner to clean up. Natural latex also has been replaced with synthetic materials, usually acrylic, though most paint cans still say latex on them. Today these latex paints are so durable that there is no reason to use alkyd paints indoors.
With the vast array of color choices available today, it can be hard to know where to begin. Nevertheless, as Shivam enterprises mentions, Beware of mildew you want to make sure you are not only choosing the right colors, If you are painting an area that will be submitted to high humidity, such as a but also quality and gloss. bathroom, have the paint store add mildew ide to the paint. This will protect your walls and keep you from having to repaint, or do more substantial Below are some of the factors to consider before buying paint: repairs. Quality trumps quantity The following are reputable paint manufacturers in Kenya that should When it comes to paint, more money usually does buy you more head your list when you are looking to buy paint: durability; a top-quality can of paint will contain a higher percentage of titanium oxide — the solid pigment. As a result, a can of top-quality paint will actually weigh more than cheaper paint. Besides, cheap paint may not really be so cheap, since it takes more paint and more work to get good coverage. According to Vaishali Sonigra of Crown Paints, paint products should be passed through the stringent quality checks to ensure high quality for customer satisfaction. “We believe that manufacturer and user shares the equal responsibility to complete the goals in hands with efficiency and with satisfactory results, hence we have tried to apprise the products benefits and train painters to meet our end users painting needs,� she adds. Choose the right gloss The level of gloss you choose can be very important to durability. Most paint cans are labelled high-gloss, semi-gloss, eggshell, satin, low sheen, or flat. Glossier paints resist marks better, are easier to clean, and usually last longer, but they make any dents or other unevenness in the wall more apparent. Touch-ups also blend in better with less gloss. According to Salome Wangari of Novel Paints, there is an increase in special effects paints from rough textured to scented paint. Also, a lot of consumers are switching from oil based finishes to emulsions most especially silk for interior decorative finish due to its ease in use not forgetting how safe and environmentally friendly it is. Explore latex Latex can be cleaned up with water, but many pros stuck with www.constructionreviewonline.com
March-April 2019 | CR
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PAINT
Galaxy Paints and Coatings Limited The perfect coating solution defines us OVERVIEW
I
n the realm of the construction industry, many end users are well travelled and exposed to different products on the internet and global trends. Whereas a decade ago, the professionals would use what was available to them in the market. Today, the industry playersare aware of the value for their money and demand high quality, lead free, sophisticated and unique paint products that would transform their dreams into reality. PRODUCTS Galaxy Paints and Coatings which was established in 1967 capitalized on that nicheand is at the forefront of manufacturing products that meet its market demands. With a database of over hundred products that ranges from automotive, metal works,
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marine paints, and wood coatings to decorative finishes for gypsum and concrete walls, the company boasts of products that are certified to be lead free by Kenya Bureau of Standards. It is worth noting that Galaxy Paints and Coatings is the sole distributor of Rubio Monocoat which is a ONE coat system that stains and protects wood (water resistant coating) thereby eliminating the need for sanding sealers and numerous coats of varnishes and stains. In addition, it has a touch dry time of 15 minutes and is 100% free of Volatile Organic Compounds. Furthermore, Galaxy Paints and Coatings has asister company known as Molecular Kenya,that Customizes wall and textured finishes, Marmoram. (this product must be applied by a trained applicator)
CR | March - April 2019
UNDERSTANDING CLIENTS NEEDS Achieving the set goals of the client by providing the perfect coat solutions has necessitated Galaxy Paints and Coatings to rise to stardom in an industry that is fully flooded. The company prides itself in providing high quality paint from vehicle assembly, wood workers, carpenters, contractors, developers, and architects to the general consumers.The organization values theircustomers as they are the epitome of their success stories. To that effect, Galaxy Paints and Coating helps them achieve the perfect coat, by working with them from the specification stage to warrant the application of the right coat. The company guarantees that the client acquires the ideal product for the surfaces that require coating.
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PAINT
KANSAI PLASCON PAINTS
K
Recognizing that customers are often overwhelmed by the choices available
ansai Plascon is a manufacturer of a
(Automotive application), Woodcare (interior
in the industry, Mr Virjee explains that
wide range of high quality paints which
and exterior wood application), Dampseal
Plascon Kenya stands by its customers
include decorative, automotive and
(waterproofing application) and Nuroof Cool
throughout their painting journey. “Our
industrial paints. The company also imports some
(roof application). Others are True Colour
customized tools and friendly colour
specialized products such as protective coatings,
Roof (roof application) and Trade Wall Cover
experts make it easier for customers to
powder coatings, thermoplastic road marking and
(interior and exterior application) amongst a
select colours and choose the most suitable
base coat automotive paint.
few.
product.”
The company has been in business in Kenya
Jamil Virjee is the company’s Managing
Besides, Plascon Kenya routinely trains
for over 50 years but two years ago rebranded
Director. He says Kansai Plascon strives
painters on all aspects of painting including
to operate under the new name Kansai Plascon.
towards designing products that improve
surface preparation, application, safety,
With manufacturing plants in Nairobi and
the lives of its customers through constant
quotations, product and colour knowledge.
Mariakani (near Mombasa) as well as depots in
innovation. He notes that the paint industry has become
Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru and Garissa, Kansai Plascon is strategically placed to serve
“At Plascon, we see each and every one of our
more environment friendly. “At Kansai
the entire country. Another depot is set to open in
products – existing and still-to-be-designed –
Plascon, green is not just a colour to us;
Central Kenya later in the year.
as an opportunity to improve people’s lives.
we are committed to ensuring that all our emulsion paint is low in VOC, odour and
Kansai Plascon’s products broadly fall into four
We aim to provide solutions to everyday
is APEO-free, meeting all European Union
segments: Automotive, Industrial, Decorative
challenges, to make life easier, simpler and
standards and lead specifications.” He adds
and Marine & Protective. Some of their products
more rewarding while at the same time
that all of Plascon’s decorative paints are
include Vinyl Silk (interior application), Plascryl
making it beautiful.”
lead and chrome free.
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CR | March - April 2019
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SOLAI PAINTS: THE HOME OF SMART COLOURS
S
olai Paints Ltd is a Kenyan owned
affordable decorative paints for all. We
paints manufacturing company. The
shall always strive to remain a responsible
company is run on modern business
company.
• •
We believe in honoring the commitments we make to our clients We believe in team work and good communication skills to achieve the
principles by qualified, experienced and
OurVision is to provide high quality products
committed management team. Solai Paints
that meet the expectations of our esteemed
pursues opportunities on both local and
customers while striving to be the largest
international markets.
high quality paint manufacturing company
to improve our efficiency and
in Kenya.
effectiveness.
•
company’s goals and target. We believe in the use of technology
SolaiPaintsbrings into the industry a wealth of experience of many years, in quality paints manufacturing and sales. With Solai
Core values
Paints, the sky is the limit.
•
At Solai Paints, we are committed to turn
•
Short term goals We are currently working on making our
Our customers will always be the center
products available in the whole country.
of our focus We believe in offering the best value in
Long term goals
your dream of decoration into reality by
our industry by making quality products
We are aiming to be the largest high quality
providing high quality paints to our clients.
affordable
paints manufacturing company in Kenya
•
We believe in being versatile in
In response to their ever changing needs,
promoting our company by utilizing
by utilizing the latest technology to offer
every opportunity of marketing.
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25
HVAC
Corrosion of HVAC Coil and Cabinetry
M
any HVAC manufacturers, distributors
a scale of 1 to 10 needs to be 10 while it is
and contractors may not realize
presently likely to be 4 or less.
that hundreds of thousands of coil
failures have occurred during the last decade from
Please remember that performance, electrical
corrosion.
costs and mechanical breakdowns are the result of ineffective servicing, maintenance and
The cause is most typically environmental
protection,” he affirms.
pollutants, which range anywhere from saltair, to household cleaning agents, pesticides,
Cabinetry care is generally cosmetic enhancing
formaldehydes, building materials, and even
the appearance of your office, home or factory.
off-gassing of food. Each of these contaminant
Clearly worth maintaining by keeping the
sources can initiate corrosion in coil tubing in a
equipment clean, salt / pollution free and dealing
year or less when the conditions are right.
with corrosion at the earliest sign of failure. An additional coating would be great but no
The effect of corrosion, specifically corrosion of
replacement for maintenance.
the Aluminium Fins on condenser coils, is a far bigger problem than just the unsightliness of the
The coil is another issue completely. Isolate the
coil.
Copper Tubed / Aluminium finned condenser from the atmosphere by applying the very best
According to Kim Griebenow of Bygold in South
anti corrosion you can possibly find. Ensure that
Africa, Galvanic corrosion as a result of electrical
this product does not impair the job of the coil
currents between the two dissimilar metals
which is to reject the “collected” heat from the
will result in the consumption of the less noble
occupied space to the atmosphere.
material. The coating of the coil should be undertaken This in turn results in the heat transfer fins losing
when the Copper and Aluminium are still bright
their connection to the copper pipe and the heat
as oxidation will begin as soon as these systems
rejection performance of the coil is then severely
are put to use and this natural oxidation will
impaired. As this occurs the condenser coil is
immediately impair the performance of the coil
unable to reject all the heat removed from the
to do its job.
occupied space via this coil into the atmosphere. (Reject the system absorbed heat) High Quality “This cascades into a mass of problems that will
coatings, by stopping the natural oxidation of the
ultimately end with the complete failure of the air
Al / Cu will in general improve the performance
conditioning system. A significant elevation of
of a coil if oxidation has been eliminated.
electrical operating costs attached to significant underperformance of the equipment (Power costs
Anti-corrosion preventative maintenance
up, performance down).
pointers Preventative maintenance is very important if
The ability of the equipment to absorb the
you are to keep your HVAC coil and Cabinetry
ambient heat but unable to reject this heat will
corrosion free. The preventive maintenance can
produce internal pressures that will stress all
include:
the mechanical components within this system,
•
resultant constant expensive mechanical failure.
and maintenance.
This condenser coil is as important to the air
•
conditioning system as breathing is to humans,”
becomes a gaping hole.
he adds.
•
Constant and regular cleaning rinsing Touch up the smallest scratch before it Use rust converting products to reduce
the pace of the corrosion. Common oversights in the interventions
•
employed
best available, he will save you money.
Mr. Griebenow further mentions that, the South
•
African industry has not dealt with the corrosion
(electrolysis) is your very worst enemy when
problem effectively. “An Effective solution is
dealing with dissimilar metals.
Ensure your service provider is the A mixture of salt and water
constant cleaning and maintenance which on 26
CR | March - April 2019
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LOW COST HOUSING
LOW-COST HOUSING A lot of living space for a little money with Concrete Precast Element Buildings
T
he need for affordable living space is high all over the world, especially in cities and metropolitan areas. This is due on the one hand to the growth in population. In many countries, however, it is also due to migration into the cities on account of poor living conditions, crises or natural catastrophes.
disadvantages. Derived from experience in Europe, construction with precast concrete elements is an ideal way to manufacture highquality living space quickly and cost efficient. The prerequisite, however, is that the need is correspondingly large and that the planning is consistently tailored to this construction method from the outset.
Depending on the country and culture circle, there are a great many different approaches to the creation of affordable living space. What is crucial about these low-cost housing concepts is that they can be implemented by local people using the locally available materials.
The use of concrete in housing construction is advantageous in many different ways: its raw materials are available almost everywhere, allowing concrete to be produced locally.
Various building materials can be used to create inexpensive living space. Depending on the region these can be, for example, concrete, stone, wood and steel, as well as plastics such as polystyrene. Each has its advantages and 28
Concrete is durable, therefore these buildings can be used over several generations. In addition, concrete houses are stable and are resistant to the weather and termites.
easily to the climatic, geological, cultural and traditional needs. In combination with the precast construction method, concrete is virtually unbeatable as a building material. The planning, production and assembly for this construction method are standardised and thus enable a constant, reliable quality with optimum use of materials. That makes costoptimised and resource-saving construction possible.
“The low-cost housing concept has a modular structure and can be adapted to the respective local conditions. �
And last but not least, this material is freely formable, allowing the building to be adapted
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Low-cost housing concept However, construction with precast concrete elements alone is no guarantee of success: what’s decisive is that the planning is tailored optimally to the respective boundary conditions. That naturally includes the choice of a suitable manufacturing method. Precast plants capable of delivering what is required for a successful construction system cannot be found everywhere. A mobile solution is then required in order to manufacture the necessary construction elements locally.
The joint low-cost housing concept was presented at the worldwide biggest exhibition bauma 2016 in Munich, Germany and met with great interest from the trade visitors. In fact, a building developer will be using this system in future for a construction project in South America with more than 10,000 housing units.
The low-cost housing concept has a modular structure and can be adapted to the respective local conditions.
Mobile Battery Mould (MBM) The transportable precast factory for the production of floor slabs and walls in the immediate vicinity of the construction site.
The joint construction system is characterized by the following features:
• • • • • •
The room concept is suitable for various types of housing, such as two or four-room flats and single or two-storey buildings. The construction is cost-optimized. All parts are manufactured in fair faced concrete, which means that no additional surface treatment is necessary. The individual structural elements are connected using locally available materials such as bolted connections. There are no surface-mounted installations anywhere in the house. All necessary components are manufactured in a battery mould – either stationary or as a mobile/transportable formwork in the form of the mobile battery mould (MBM®). This guarantees that all manufactured precast elements are dimensional and accurate with finished surfaces, i.e. no additional surface treatments are necessary.
Production with mobile battery mould direct at Construction Site Battery moulds are an ideal production tool for the low-cost housing concept. They can be used to manufacture solid walls, concrete slabs and flat slabs. Using a standard mould with 20 compartments, each measuring 3.5 m by 7.1 m, two housing units with around 36 m2 of living space can be manufactured per day. The specialists reckon with a period of one day per housing unit for the assembly of the finished panels.
The production of the required precast concrete elements takes place using a mobile battery mould from the plant manufacturer Weckenmann Anlagentechnik.
Initial situation The worldwide urbanization means that the demand is growing for the faster construction of cost-effective and top-quality buildings with a long service life. Precast concrete elements are generally used for this purpose. However, there are often no stationary precast plants nearby, making transport distances long and thus unprofitable. Solution MBM can bring the production of flat precast concrete parts directly to where it is needed – to the immediate vicinity of the construction site. Thus, MBM offers the construction site all the advantages of the precast technology. After the building is finished, the MBM will be installed on another site within a few days. A typical battery mould has 20 compartments measuring 3.5 x 7.1 m, for instance. A gross production output of approx. 400 m²/day is achieved in this way in a single-shift operation. About 10 truck transports are required per battery mould unit, with one being allotted to the special vehicle. Just a few skilled employees are able to carry out setting up and/or dismantling work within a few days. Consequently, the mobile battery mould is an ideal solution for large temporary building sites.
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PROFILE
BBC East Africa Headquarters, Nairobi
for jobs, it is probably these doctrines that
Design Partnership Limited enters Top 100 Club Kenyan interior design consultancy, Design Partnership Limited, recently joined the Top 100 Medium-Sized companies Club, a major milestone for a company whose star has been steadily rising since its establishment.
have ensured the company remains unfazed by competing firms. Says Managing Director Rajan Acharya: “Our clients have come to rely upon us to deliver powerful outcomes through the inspiration and thoroughness of our creative process. With a highly informed, passionate and dedicated team of professionals, coupled with our rigorous process, we harness the power of design to deliver
W
outcomes that exceed our clients’ expectations.”
hen Design Partnership
selected from participating companies on
Limited emerged as one of
the basis of their revenue growth over the
The company’s design approach is tailored to meet
the Top 100 Medium-Sized
past three years, profits, liquidity and other
the individual needs of the client and transcends
indicators of financial solidity.
changes in technology and workplace habits to
Companies 2018 Edition at a gala dinner in Nairobi, it came as no surprise. After
ensure the spaces remain relevant now and in the
all, this Kenyan architectural and interior
So what has made Design Partnership
design company has been on a steady
easily qualify for a slot in this prestigious
growth trajectory since its inception a few
club whose members often quickly become
Design Partnership has created a Quality Policy
years ago, bagging lucrative projects from a
highly sought-after brands in their respective
on which all its services are premised. In this
diverse clientele not only in Kenya but also
sectors, thereby experiencing accelerated
policy, the company undertakes to design and
in Tanzania, Rwanda, DR Congo, Zambia
growth?
deliver projects that are defect-free, on time and
and Cape Verde.
future.
on budget. In previous interactions with CR, it has
The annual Top 100 Medium-Sized
become clear that the firm is guided by
The firm vows to maintain personal contact with
Companies Survey is a joint venture by
certain tenets that endear it to new and
its clients and actively involve them throughout
East Africa’s largest media organization –
prospective clients.
the duration of the project.
network of independent member firms
In an industry rife with overwhelming and
The company believes in developing mutually
offering audit, tax and advisory services.
sometimes downright cut-throat competition
beneficial relationships with clients, sub-
Nation Media Group – and KPMG, a global
According to the organizers, the winners are 30
CR | March - April 2019
contractors and suppliers and understands that www.constructionreviewonline.com
a seamless relationship with these parties is instrumental to delivery and success. In addition, Design Partnership is committed to monitoring and reviewing its performance to identify and implement improvements to its quality management system and related processes. It is also alive to issues of the competence, training, professionalism and health and safety of its employees. These policies make Design Partnership a natural choice. In recent years, the company has been engaged by not only
British American Tobacco Offices.
leading Kenyan organizations but also global brands that have seen its work and appreciated its commitment to excellence. Its impressive local portfolio contains such names as Kenya Commercial Bank, Stanbic Bank, I&M Bank, Windsor Golf & Country Club, Securex Agencies, Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Safaricom, Heritage Insurance, Liberty Life Assurance and Mediamax Networks among many others. International clients include IBM, Bank of Africa, Volvo, RTI International, British American Tobacco, AIG and BASF among others. Diplomatic missions such as the Norwegian Embassy and American aid agency USAID have also used Design Partnership services.Among the latest contracts the company has executed is headquarters of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in East Africa located along Riverside Drive in the Kenyan capital.No challenge appears to be daunting to the highly dynamic and creative team at Design Partnership that is armed with the latest ICT equipment and software to undertake both small and large projects. Clearly, the next few years will be an interesting period to watch as the firm, buoyed by successive wins, continues to scale the heights and firmly entrenches itself as one of the most respected interior design companies in the region.
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PROJECT
Purple Haze Behind the Award-winning Kenyan Development
P
roperty developers in Kenya are facing a major dilemma. After years of unprecedented growth, the market is gravitating towards saturation as supply outpaces demand. In fact, majority of developers are grappling with units that they cannot sell due to a huge supply, particularly for units targeting the middle and upper-tier market segments. Now, the challenge of how to push sales in a market that is saturated is one that is giving many developers sleepless nights. Mavji Varsani, Edifice Limited Director and the developer of Purple Haze Residences, however appears to be an exemption to the rule. This is because Purple Haze, a high-end residential apartment project in Nairobi, was conceived and developed to overcome market dynamics. “The whole thought process for the project has been detailed and complex. This is what has made us successful in sales even when the market is experiencing a slowdown,” he says. He adds that Purple Haze, which targets the top cream of homebuyers, stands out in the Kenyan market because its benchmarks are
international and it’s been designed for longevity and performance.By all accounts, Purple Haze is a gem and an icon that has not only put Kenya’s residential real estate market on the world map but is also giving buyers an unrivalled taste and feeling. Apart from being located in Kilimani, a few meters from Kenya’s seat of power – State House – the Sh4.5 billion development is offering owners the opportunity to eat life with a big spoon, literally. “This project is targeting the Tripe-A class market because there is a deficiency,” observes Varsani. This, in fact, informed the decision by the developer to source for a renowned international architect working together with local architects to understand the cultural and traditional ways so as to come up with designs capable of rivaling the best projects in countries like Singapore, Dubai and Malaysia among others. In bringing on board Wave, a Singaporean design consultant firm, the aim was to ensure the final product would meet international standards. Another critical factor was the need to design a
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project that offered the right mix in the price index. Being a high-end project, getting the right equilibrium in pricing was crucial in attracting buyers,offering them value for money and guaranteeing impressive returns. “Local architects are equally capable, but lack the exposure to bring the competitive and design mix on international standards. Going for an international architect was important because of the need to get the right balance given that the price index is critical for this kind of market,” explains Varsani. For Wave, which borrows its name from the waves of the ocean and has developed many projects across the globe, this was essentially the brief. To come up with the design, the firm undertook an extensive study of the Kenyan real estate market where the overriding theme for most developers was selling apartments in large numbers without detailed architecture. “The discourse was really about the quality of architecture,” said Amit Mody, Wave Director. He added that in designing the March - April 2019 | CR
33
Purple Haze Residences, the firm had to take into account the need to strike a balance on pricing and architecture. On this, the firm focused on a couple of strong parts including a design that allows for horizontal connectivity between people in a community, increasing the living standards by appropriate amenities and offering quality of spaces, an aspect that was missing in majority of Kenyan projects. “Purple Haze is intricately designed and promises a lifestyle which is flashy, homely and community based where you feel a sense of belonging and pride,” explains Mody. This, indeed, is what the project is all about: compact apartments that bring together different components from the best manufacturers from across the globe. These include kitchen fittings from Italy, tiles from Spain and appliances from Germany among other places. Sitting on a two-and-a-half acre piece of land, Purple Haze oozes the feeling of walking down a path to the river. This is because the site is on a terrain sloping towards the Kirichwa Kubwa River and the surrounding regions are low-lying, in a green setting and offer unblocked views of the green Arboretum expanse. The project is segmented in five courtyards that communicate different messages in the aspect of traditional human sense of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. These senses are not only projected in the three-bedroom, four-bedroom penthouse apartments but also in terms of amenities. These include a bar lounge, sauna and steam, pool, gym, convenience shop, barbeque area, sculptured courtyards, children’s playground, study room, events room and viewing deck.
Although the developer was keen to ensure that early buyers benefit from the price, many failed to book units preferring to wait until the project is complete. “People have been shortchanged by other developers and this has affected the market,” he notes. Despite the industry challenges that have had ripple effects on Purple Haze, Varsani is confident that sales will pick up ahead of the project’s completion in June. A partnership with Commercial Bank of Africa in which buyers can access financing is also helping in pushing sales. Besides, Edifice intends to keep some units for long -term investment because rental incomes are good with yields projected to maintain a growth trajectory. “We are facing the challenge of a sluggish market but there is a vacuum for good products. The buyers have good knowledge of what they want to buy, so we have the upper hand because these clients come to us,” notes Varsani. That Purple Haze has redefined Kenya’s real estate is with no doubt;the project has won two international awards for its energy efficient and environmental design. The International Property Awards and African Property Awards have been strong statements on the uniqueness of the project and how it has put Kenya and Africa on the world map.More importantly, it sets a benchmark for Edifice, a firm that believes in constantly challenging itself to push boundaries and create unique lifestyles at reasonable prices and develop concepts that ultimately change the way the industry thinks.
The project also incorporates natural air vents, a water fountain in the middle of each O-shaped block, ample lighting and greenery at every floor that is designed to ensure people connect with nature. Indeed, integrating greenery has become a key requirement in futurist developments because it not only adds life but makes the building energy efficient and sustainable. “Apart from the quality of architecture, Purple Haze offers a high-end lifestyle in terms of facilities,” states Mody. He adds that by studying and projecting the trends in Kenya’s real estate market, Wave was able to create a development that is long lasting. It is for this reason that Purple Haze, which has 216 units encompassing 12 penthouses with 3 and 4 - bedrooms, 100 units with 3-bedrooms and 104 units with 2-bedrooms apartments and 500 parking spaces, has achieved success in attracting buyers with 50% already sold. “We have been successful in sales and all our buyers are very happy because we are giving more than what they expected. This has helped in confidence building and brought about many referrals,” says Varsani.While Purple Haze has been successful in uptake, the fact that homebuyers in Kenya have been short-changed by developers has somehow affected sales.
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PROJECT
Bandari Apartments Phase II Underway Buoyed by the success of Bandari Villas and
commercial projects owned by these schemes
Villas (Phase 1, 2 & 3) and Bandari
Bandari Apartments Phase I, the Kenya Ports
are now a common feature.
Apartments Phase I.
Bandari Apartments is a project by the Kenya
The development consists of 198 three-
Authority Pension Scheme has embarked on Bandari Apartments Phase II.
P
Ports Authority (KPA) Pension Scheme. Located bedroom units spread over three high-rise ension schemes have realized that one of the most solid ways of safeguarding their members’ contributions is to invest
in real estate. Across the country, residential and 38
in South C, a middle class suburb of Nairobi,
blocks in a controlled gated community
the project, known as Bandari Apartments Phase
that aims to provide modern, comfortable
II, comes after the successful completion of two
housing in a secure environment. Each
other projects by the same Scheme – Bandari
of the 11 floors on each block carries six
CR | March - April 2019
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apartments. All bedrooms are en suite with a
As with all modern homes, solar water heating
Architects: Triad Architects
spacious self-contained DSQ. The apartments
and natural lighting have been incorporated as
Quantity Surveyor: Shaque Associates
have a plinth area of 170 square metres.
green aspects to the development.
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: Maiteri
The developer has provided ample parking
Associates
Features
and two high-speed elevators for each block.
Main Contractor: Jianxi Water and Hydro
Every apartment boasts a spacious lounge-
There is a standby generator and water will be
Power Construction Kenya Ltd
cum-dining area and a modern kitchen
available on a 24-hour basis from a borehole.
fitted with high and low level cabinets. The
while the remaining 70% may be cleared during
bedrooms are all en-suite and are fitted with
the construction period or upon completion.
MDF wardrobes. High quality ceramic floor finishes and
Project Team
modern sanitary fittings give the apartments a
Client: Kenya Ports Authority Pension Scheme
classy look.
Project Manager: Pinnacle Projects Ltd
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Subcontractors:
• • • • •
Steelstone (K) Ltd
Central Electricals
Ryce East Africa Ltd
Kone (Kenya) Ltd
Volcanic Plumbing Works.
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Advertisers Index Mombasa Cement........................................................... IFC
Dry Construction Ltd...................................................... 31
Tuffsteel Ltd.................................................................... 1
Art Aluminum Works Ltd............................................... 31
Davis and Shirtlift........................................................... 7
Rworld Enterprise Ltd..................................................... 32
Fit.tight Fastener Ltd....................................................... 7
Specialised Aluminium Renovators Ltd......................... 32
Jessops and Associates(PTY)Ltd.................................... 9
Ark Construction Ltd...................................................... 32
Bosch East Africa............................................................ 13
Sycum Solutions............................................................. 35
Power Control ................................................................ 13
Plumbuild and Engineering Ltd...................................... 35
Ryce................................................................................ 13
Indus Logistics Ltd......................................................... 35
Kholer............................................................................. 15
Eton Interiors.................................................................. 35
Doshi Steel...................................................................... 17
Boothfire Protection Ltd................................................. 34
Kens Metal Industries..................................................... 20
Ark Construction............................................................. 36
Shivam Paints................................................................. 21
Poolshop.......................................................................... 36
Africa Automation Fair................................................... 22
Airtouch ......................................................................... 36
Galaxy Paint .................................................................. 23
Security Systems Ltd..................................................... 37
Molecular Kenya Ltd...................................................... 23
Fire line .......................................................................... 37
Plascon Paint .................................................................. 24
Kentonplan Ltd............................................................... 37
Solai Paint....................................................................... 25
Steel Stones (K)Ltd......................................................... 39
Bygold Capetown ........................................................... 26
Shaque Associates........................................................... 39
Dura Coat........................................................................ 27
Pinnacle Projects............................................................. 40
Tiles and Carpet.............................................................. 29
Kalekim........................................................................... OBC
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