Construction Review Africa by Construction Review

ANNOUNCING

WATER AFRICA & WEST AFRICA

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION Exhibition and Seminars Accra International Conference Centre 24-26 June 2015

Top Water, Sanitation & Building Show returns to Ghana. WATER AFRICA & WEST AFRICA BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION is returning to Ghana for 2015 after a very successful 2014 event in Accra, Ghana. Here’s what some of the exhibitors said: “As usual, a well organised and professional Water Africa & West Africa Building and Construction Exhibition 2014 in Accra. The pre-exhibition announcements made sure that the right visitors attended and were informed on the latest developments. We look forward to the next edition.” Interplast, Ghana - Platinum Sponsor “Once again, a fantastic event! Very well organised and with a lot of visitors coming in! No doubt, we will participate again next year!” Nesstra, Ghana – Platinum Sponsor “Thank you for all your hard work, it was the best WA we have done to date - made easier by you and your team’s efforts. Please pass on my gratitude to everyone involved. Now we need to follow up all the enquiries!” Balmoral Tanks, UK - Gold Sponsor “I had a very good impression about the organization of the event in Ghana and sincerely thank you for the support.” Wacker Chemicals Middle East, Dubai - Gold Sponsor “I take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for the organization of such an important event in our industry. Indeed we had a good exposure and prospects.” DEM, Ghana - Gold Sponsor “The quality of the contacts & project opportunities this year was very good - it was clear that you & your team had worked very hard to spread the word & promote the exhibition.” Braithwaite Engineers – UK

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsor GHANA

CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS

WATER AFRICA & WEST AFRICA BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 2015 is organized by ACE EVENT MANAGEMENT of the United Kingdom.

If you don’t want to miss out on this exciting opportunity to exhibit or sponsor this event please contact our Ghana office on: 0248518390 or please email info@ace-events.com

ACE EVENT MANAGEMENT of the UK For further information, visit www.ace-events.com

MANAGING EDITOR Robert Barnes COUNTRY EDITORS Kenya - Francis Makari Uganda - Samuel Bujingo Nigeria - Boladale Ademiju South Africa - Newton Mthethwa SUB-EDITOR David Kariuki WRITERS Jimmy Swira, Thunile Alletta Nkosi Lindsay Wagner, Yvonne Andiva Erick Mongare, Hope Simuli Dorcas Kang'ereha WEB & GRAPHIC DESIGN Augustine Ombwa ADVERTISING Kenya William Mutama, Fred Okoth, Frances Lagoussis (Mombasa), Trizah Njoroge, Faustine Salleh, Joseph Mwangi South Africa: Manoko Thosago, Happy Mokoena Shepherd Mthethwa, Winnie Sentabire, Angeline Ntobeng, Nqobile Ndlovu Uganda: Dan Nsalasata,Bill Collins Musaazi Botswana: Dickson Manyudza, Gerald Mazikana Ethiopia: Haimanot Tesfaye, Ruth Girma Tanzania: Tom Kiage Malawi: Anderson Fumulani

CON

CROSSRAIL Project

Work on Crossrail began in 2009 and the route is expected to start operating in 2018. It will link Reading and Heathrow to the west of London with Shenfield and Abbey Wood to the east and goes directly through Central London.

Cover Picture:

High quality, aesthetically pleasing, functional products that set the trend. Vaal and Libra have a product for every taste.

Inside a tunnel section that constitute the 42 KM of new tunnels set to create a new 118-km rail route with 10 new stations.

Telephone: +27 16 360 6000 Website: www.vaalsan.co.za Website: www.librabath.co.za

REGULARS

Ghana: Samuel Hinneh

Editor's Comment 5

Zimbabwe: Cyri’l Zenda

News 6

Rwanda: Collison Lore Nigeria: Seni Bello

New Products 8

China:Weng Jie

Association News 9

The editor accepts letters and manuscripts for publication from readers all over the world. Include your name and address as a sign of good faith although you may request your name to be withheld from publication. We reserve the right to edit any material submitted .

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. © All rights reserved.

Download free QR Readers from the web and Scan this code with your smart phone to access more stories on the CR website

Events 9 Corporate News 10 Pictorial 11 Guest: Charles Nmai, Ph.D., P.E., FACI – BASF Corporation

Inside Best flooring options for an office

Durable Floor Finishes: Epoxy and polyurethane coatings 22 Steel Fibre reinforced Concrete

Glass fibre Reinforced Convenience

Suspended Lightweight Concrete 32 The ‘lightweight’ with massive stamina!

Published by Group Africa Publishing Ltd Consolidated Bank House, 4th floor, Koinange Street, Nairobi 00100 Kenya, Tel: +020 2210133, Email: info@groupafricapublishing.com Uganda Office SMG Uganda Limited Kamukamu Plaza, Entebbe Road Kampala-Uganda, TEL: +256 774 079 804, Email: uganda@groupafricapublishing.com Uganda Agent Projects Unusual Uganda Ltd. Jemba Plaza, Luwum St. Kampala, Uganda betty@constructionreviewonline.com

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TENTS

May 2015 Volume 26 No. 5

Editor's Comment

AZDEC A.S.C

Azdec A.S.C designed the the Kanti

PPP's the answer to Africa’s chronic power shortage

Towers which is a 15 storey office block in Victoria Island, Nigeria and Oluwole Urban Mall located in

While Africa has a deficit when it comes to all

central Lagos Island.

infrastructure needs, power remains the most urgent because without it little can be achieved in the other sectors. Today virtually all African countries suffer from

inadequate power supply

which is evidenced by

intermittent power cuts that in some cases can last for days. This translates into higher costs of production of goods and services leading to losses in GDP growth. Given the colossal sums required to reverse the

Lexis International Limited Banking on Cutting Edge Services for Growth.

trend, PPP’s are emerging as a possible savior to Africa’s plight especially given the current low interest rates in the west and the promise of attractive returns in investing in African infrastructure. Governments therefore need to urgently put in place an enabling environment in order to attract more private

participation if millennial development goals are to be achieved.

Concrete Pumps 34 designed to last longer in harsh environments Soil Rehabilitation Measures 36 Time for urgent action Orthner Orthner Associates

Robert Barnes

Striving for excellence

South Africa Office College Publishers CC 1st Floor, 267 Oak Avenue, Oakfields, Randburg, Johannesburg Tel: +27 11 781 4253 Fax: +27 11 781 4287 Email: southafrica@groupafricapublishing.com Ethiopia Office Haymi Advertising Services 22 Mazoria, Genet Bldg 4th Flr P.O. Box 1316 - 1110 Addis Ababa Tel: +251 118 955 855 Cell: +251 930 099 152 Email: ethiopia@groupafricapublishing.com

Zimbabwe Office CMC Media Publications (Pvt) Ltd, P.O. Box 4828, Harare, Zimbabwe E-mail: zimbabwe@groupafricapublishing.com

Nigeria Office

Kenya Office Northwest Ventures Ltd P.O. Box 16414 Nairobi 00100 Tel: +254 20 2679809 I 2679808, 2091305 Email: kenya@groupafricapublishing.com

Ifako Ijaye Lga,Agege, Lagos.

Ghana Office Image Consortium 1st Floor, TheEcobank Building, Tesano. Tel: 233(0)30 223 2728 I Fax: 233(0)24 882 8286 Email: ghana@groupafricapublishing.com

Rahma Associates B23/24, Aishetu Emoewa Plaza 196, Iju Water Works Road, Tel: 234-1-7347860 Email: nigeria@groupafricapublishing.com Rwanda Office Kolline & Hemed Inc., B.P. 3328, Kigali, Rwanda Tel: +250 03 748106 E-mail: rwanda@groupafricapublishing.com Website: www.kollinehemed.org

NEWS

Tanzania

Expansion of Kilimanjaro Airport to cost US$40m Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) officials have signed a US$ 40m agreement for the renovation and modernization of the airport so as to increase the number of travelers and airlines it can handle.The upgrading project will involve extension and renovation of the terminal buildings, runways, aprons and taxiways, as well as installation of new airfield ground lighting and floodlights.The tender for the airport upgrading project was awarded to BAM International of Netherlands and is expected to be complete by 2017. The

Kilimanjaro

Development

Airports

South Africa

KwaZulu to spend US$0.99bn on infrastructure US$0.99bn has been allocated for different infrastructure projects for the financial year 2015-2016 by KwaZulu Natal Provincial Government. According to the Financial MEC for KwaZulu Natal Belinda Scott, the total amount for 2015-2016 will be over US $2.95bn.Scott noted that the 2015-2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) budget would include both the conditional grant funded infrastructure and the equitable share.The transport sector, through the Department of Transport, will spend US $1.69bn on different infrastructure projects. This will be part of the operation of KuShunguthuli and African Renaissance Roads Upgrading Programme (ARRUP) on road development in the rural areas. THE Department of Health will receive US$0.35bn. There will be construction of a new hospital in Pixley ka Seme worth US $37.84m with 500beds and another hospital in Ngwelezane worth US $6.58m with 192 beds.The education sector will receive US$0.57bn for construction of new classrooms and ablution blocks in different districts.

Egypt

Government unveils new city construction plan to extend Cairo

Company

Egypt’s minister of housing, Mr. Mustafa Madbouly has unveiled

(KADCO) Managing Director,

the government’s plan to construct a new city to extend the current

Mr. Bakari Murusuri announced

capital Cairo, a development which will be funded entirely by private

the agreement between KIA

developers.The minister, who unveiled the plan in an Egyptian

management,

the

International

officials

Economic Development Conference in Sharma el-Sheikh last week

BAM Mr.

Harko Kloeze, East, and Central Africa’s

Managing

Director,

and Mr. Eric van Zuthem, the Area Manager for Tanzania. The airport construction project is expected to increase the number of passengers to one million per year, hence the reason for expansion. Currently, it handles a maximum of 12 scheduled airlines.

BAM

International

based in Netherlands, is a subsidiary of Royal BAM Group and is one of Europe’s largest contracting companies, active in construction, property and civil engineering. The country

said it would cost US$45 bn and take 5 to 7 years to complete.The

Ghana

To host the largest solar power plant in Africa Ghana is set to host the largest solar power plant in Africa, the Nzema solar park to be located in the country’s Western Region. The 155MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant project will be done at a cost US$400m, and is expected to improve Ghana’s electricity deficit by a 6% rise on capacity as well as creating hundreds of jobs to Ghanaians and reducing emissions. The Nzema solar park project is to be the fourth biggest of its kind in the world and is scheduled for completion by October this year. The solar power project will involve installation of 630,000 PV modules and it is expected that the plant will generate power to help the country’s desire to increase renewable energy catch to 10% by 2020. The solar power project, which

expected

cost

US$400 million, has been given

new city is estimated to host close to seven million residents. It will

generation license and a feed-

also position the capital Cairo to the east coastal part of the Red Sea

in tariff for 20 years of power

since it will be the new capital for the country. The plans involved

generation. Nzema solar power

creation of a new urbanized city that will cover 700 square kilometers

plant will be hooked to the 61 kV

and the country hoped to secure a backing of US$44bn from a Middle East developer.The minister said that the new city was, at the moment, being developed by Egyptian and international experts. It will be an investment of Capital City Partners, a real estate investment fund led by Emirati Mohamed Alabbar, who also built the Burj Khalifa – world’s tallest building.

West African Power Pool power transmission line, that links Ghana to Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.Blue Energy is the company behind the solar power project. Chris Dean, the Chief Executive of the Blue Energy has been quoted in their website as saying that Ghana’s is a forward-thinking strategy that puts it in a strong position to lead the renewable energy revolution in sub-Saharan Africa. He added that Nzema is a case study for

announced last year it was setting

how governments can unlock the

aside US$17m for construction

huge potential for solar energy in

of a ring road in Dar es Salaam.

Africa.

May 2015

Morocco

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Dangote cement factory to begin production this month

Rehabilitation of Kariba dam after allocation of US$294m

Production at the Dangote’s

Zambia and Zimbabwe will

cement factory in Zambia will

receive US$294m from World

commence

this

month

after

Bank, European Union (EU), the

construction work of the same

Government of Sweden and the

was completed. This factory was constructed at a cost of US$400m and a similar one is set to be

African Development Bank for

US$58.9bn set aside for national water plan

constructed in Chilanga south at the same cost.According to the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group Aliko Dangote, construction work on the cement factory would have been completed earlier; however, this was hampered by the rains. Delay in getting cleared by the Zambia Environmental Agency (ZEMA) also caused a bit of

the repair of the Kariba dam wall

The national water plan (PNE) will cost a sum of US$58.9 billion, the to prevent its collapse. Work is minister of water and sanitation madam Charafat Afilal has this week expected to begin early 2016 and Tuesday said. Speaking at a forum dubbed MAP, Afilal has added is expected to last for six years that 41% of the total amount will be channeled towards managing the with minimal disruptions.The water demands in the country.A further 9% of the remaining sum will giant hydropower station, which be allocated to addressing adequate measures of preventing floods supplies the two countries, had in the region, estimated to be facing around 400 sites and which are an expert assessment done on normally threatened by floods during the rainy seasons in Morocco. it revealing possibility of wall The minister added that 7% of the money will be used for water collapse due to pressure on the desalination purposes, which is the alternative source of water in Morocco’s National Water Plan. She said that the financial resources swelling walls as water builds

construction project. Operations

for the project will come from public and private sources. Morocco up against it – passage of water has been experiencing a drastic water shortage mostly in the summer was being blocked and the wall

should start in two to three

periods; the rains usually fall during the winter months, but quickly was weakening due to continued

weeks.

drain off due to poor water storage managements strategies.

delay on the cement factory

Association Partners

Kenya

Ethiopia

- Association of Ethiopian Architects - Architectural Association of Kenya - Ethiopian Association of Civil Engineers - Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya - Institute of Engineers of Kenya Botswana - Association of Consulting Engineers of Institute of Botswana Quantity Surveyors Kenya - Association of Professional Societies of East Ethiopia Africa APSEA) Construction Contractors Association of - Kenya Property developers Association Ethiopia - Institution of Surveyors of Kenya

South Africa

- ASAQS - SAICE - South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession - Khuthaza ( Women for Housing) - Concrete Manufacturers Association - Green Building council of SA - South African Property Owners Association - Master Builders South Africa

Uganda

Institute of Surveyors of Uganda

Zimbabwe

- Zimbabwe Institute of Quantity Surveyors - Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers - The Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe (Cifoz)

Ghana

- Ghana Institute of Engineers - Architects Registration Council - Ghana Institute of Surveyors - Ghana Green Builders Association - Ghana Institute of Planners - Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors of Ghana

May 2015

chemical reactions on the wall.

Namibia Institute of Namibian Quantity Surveyors Association of Consulting Engineers of Namibia

Tanzania - Tanzania Institute of Quantity Surveyors - Construction Regulation Board (CRB) - Tanzania’s Registration Board of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (AQSRB)

Nigeria - Association of Consulting Engineers Nigeria - Association of Professional Women Engineers Of Nigeria - Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria - The Nigerian Institute of Architects - American Association of Petroleum Geologists Africa Region - Nigeria Society of Engineers - Nigeria Institute of Architects - Building and Construction Skilled Artisans Association of Nigeria(BACSAAN) 9

PRODUCTS

New design model for strength and position of geogrids Geosynthetics are extensively used for the improvement of soils characterized by low mechanical performances in order to carry paved and unpaved roads and to provide the following stabilizing mechanisms: • base course lateral restrain mechanism for horizontal stresses generated by the soil self-weight; • base course lateral restrain mechanism for horizontal stresses generated by wheels loading; • tensioned membrane mechanism at the base or subbase – subgrade interface. Each of these three mechanisms produce tensile forces in the geosynthetic layers. The tensile forces produced by the soil self-weight and by the tensioned membrane mechanism at the base or subbase – subgrade interface are static loads by nature, while the tensile forces produced by wheels loading are dynamic / cyclic in nature; however in each instant the load produced by wheels is added to the other two static loads. The design methods presently available provide contains no/ or insufficient indications about the number of required geogrids layers and the mechanical characteristics thereof. Hence a new design method has been developed which accounts the design of geogrids for road base stabilization, based on a 4 layers model: asphalt (binder and wearing course), in case of paved roads; base, subbase, subgrade. Once the base and/or subbase thickness has been defined with one of the available methods in literature . 10

Taylor TX4 articulated 4-wheel drive forklift trucks BLT SA’s extensive range of Taylor materials handling equipment – which encompasses loaded and empty container handlers, reach stackers and forklifts – now includes the TX4 series articulated 4-wheel drive forklift trucks, designed for moving materials in the harshest environments, including muddy and rough terrain. “Unlike other comparable articulated forklifts, this series is not a front loader chassis with a fork attachment, but a robust articulated material handler, completely designed and engineered in the USA, to the highest standards, by Taylor Machine Works,” says Charity Gumede, marketing director, BLT SA. “TX4 all terrain forklifts – which can be fitted with specially designed attachments for various materials handling tasks – ensure efficient operation, low maintenance, optimum safety and extended service life in arduous conditions.” TX4 high lift forklifts, with an all welded steel chassis and frames for optimum strength, offer resistance to dynamic/shock loads. Optional heavy duty mast and carriage configurations are available to suit exact materials handling needs. The telescopic Ultra-Vu mast features a nested channel construction for clear visibility of the fork and other attachments.

East Africa’s first ever wide width colour coating line Recently, has

Kaluworks Limited

commissioned

ever

the

state-of-the-art

first colour

coating line which has a width capacity of up to 1400mm. This is by far the widest width of painted coils in East Africa. Thus taking a major leap in the infrastructure sector. Kaluworks is also committed to ensuring a healthy and safe working environment by operating within stipulated regulations of the factory and other places of work. KALUWORKS LIMITED was set up in 1929 and is among the oldest companies in Kenya. The company has made history by growing continuously over the last 80 years. Predominantly a

cookware

manufacturer,

Kaluworks

diversified

Aluminium

Rolled

into

Products

by setting up a state of the art Aluminium Rolling Plant at Mariakani, Mombasa in 1988. Since then, after a series of upgrades on the process

Calhoun unveils Container Fabric Building Series Calhoun Super Structure Ltd. – a pioneer in the fabric building industry – is very excited to announce the official unveiling of a new building series, The Container (CL). This is the first-ever fabric building in the industry designed and engineered exclusively

and machinery, consisting of a Foundry Continuous Caster, Cold Rolling Mill and other Finishing Equipment, Kaluworks started rolling out high quality Aluminium

Coils,

Sheets,

Circles and Roofing Products. The company has established

for container-use only. The CL buildings series is engineered site-

its mark as a manufacturer of

specific to suit any location in North America, and can be used as

Quality

either a temporary or permanent structure. Available in widths of 32’,

Products and carved a niche for

36’, 40’, and 50’, the CL building series will be a perfect addition to those looking for an affordable structure with a high return on investment. Calhoun’s standard 40’x40’ CL building can be installed

Aluminium

Roofing

excellence in performance and quality in the Eastern and sub Saharan region.

in just two days, allowing you to get to work ASAP! Not only is the installation process quick and simple, but the structure can also be rapidly deployed, so relocating your work area is a breeze. Familyowned and operated since the 1990’s, Calhoun has led the way in the fabric building world. With over two decades of experience and countless hours spent on perfecting engineering and installation, Calhoun has made its structures to the highest standards. May 2015

ASSOCIATION NEWS & EVENTS

“Intelligent Green Building – IGB” exhibition platform

Green Building Council of South Africa formally recognizes Global GreenTag

Urban Mobility Africa Date: 14th – 15th April, 2015 Venue: Lagos Oriental Hotel Website:www. urbanmobilityafrica.com

Date: 9th - 12th June, 2015 Venue: Beijing International Building Technology Website: www. intelligentgreenbuilding.cn

Africa is the most rapidly urbanising

The “Intelligent Green Building

region

the

– IGB” exhibition platform is an

planet, over 56% of its citizens

initiative introduced by Messe

currently live in the cities and

Frankfurt to meet the market demands

for

energy-efficient

technologies to sustain economic growth,

competitiveness

environmental

and

protection.

This total solutions initiative addresses interrelated building technologies

at a series of CPD and manufacturer seminars last week was a great success with over 400 people attending the 4 events. The recognition

and environmental implications

Cape Town events were held at the SANRAL Western Region Green

growing concern is the challenge

Star Building (Winelands Auditorium) and the Johannesburg events

of urban mobility.Urban air and

at EY’s 102 Rivonia Road, Sandton Green Star Rated Building.

noise pollution, traffic gridlock

air-conditioning,

schemes able to certify products in GBCSA’s new Interior v1 rating

plumbing, lighting and LED, sun

tool. GreenTag can now certify all Furniture, Assemblies, Flooring

shading, solar building, building

and Wall Coverings to the appropriate level to allow products to

automation, smart home, energy

gain credit points in the new rating tool launched in February.The

computing and more.

projected.The social, economic of this will be enormous. Of

GreenTag was recognised as one of the third party certification

management, data centre, cloud

by 2050 a further 16% rise is

was by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). The

heating,

ventilation,

The launch of Global GreenTag South Africa’s formal recognition

and

crippling

congestion

already hampering the movement of people and goods, causing economic,environmental

and

speakers included Lesley Sibanda from GBCSA, David Baggs CEO

health

concerns.With

the

and Program Director of Global GreenTag International Pty Ltd,

demand

for

Marloes Reinink of Solid Green Consultants and Jeremy Sumeray

transit

high

capacity

intensifying,

national

of Armstrong Ceilings, UK.Armstrong Ceilings have the first 8 GreenTag Certified products in South Africa. They are rated to the top Level A. GreenTag was originally launched in Australia and has certified over 900 products in that market. Fortunately hundreds of these products are already available in the South African marketplace and will likely soon be available with GBCSA relevant GreenTag Occupying 40,000 sqm with

certification.

more than 700 exhibitors, the

THE BIG 3 AFRICA SHOW 2014

2014 Shanghai edition is the first to realise the fair concept of providing total solutions on building energy efficiency under one roof. The platform staged four building technology-related events:

Shanghai

Intelligent

Date: 3rd - 5th October 2014 Venue: KICC,Nairobi - Kenya Website: www.big3africa.com The largest international trade exhibition in Africa catering to the

and

regional

governments

have begun formulating and implementing urban rail and bus transit master-plans and initiatives.As a consequence, investments driven by urban transport developments are set to increase thus creating scope

Building Technology, Shanghai

growing Interiors, Builders Hardware and Bathroom & Kitchen,

International Lighting Fair, ISH

equipment and machinery, will take place in Nairobi, Kenya at the

related projects.Urban Mobility

KICC from the 03 – 05 of October with record breaking numbers.

Africa brings together senior

Exhibitors and trade visitors are said to increase by 25% and 30%

government officials, transport

Conditioning, and Building Solar

respectively at the Big 3 Africa 2014 which is the ultimate exhibition

authorities, city planners and

China. Over 40,000 visitors from

which houses the three most exciting sectors in the east African region.

63 countries and regions were

As the largest event of its kind, it ensures direct access to over 100+

Shanghai & CIHE – Shanghai International Trade Fair for Heating, Ventilation and Air-

attracted to the platform.

exhibitors from over 15 countries and more than 8,000 trade visitors.

May 2015

for exceptional growth in the

industry

experts

explore

the business opportunities in Africa’s fast growing public transport sector. 11

CORPORATE NEWS

Louis Berger appointed consultant for N303 road rehabilitation in Mozambique Renovation

the

N303

National Road in Mozambique, which is set to cost US$350m, is set to start after Louis Berger

Alstom wins US$ 65m contract to equip Karuma hydropower plant in Uganda

was appointed the consultant for

the

road

rehabilitation

project at a fee of US$7.6m by

Alstom, a French multinational company dealing with hydroelectric,

Sub-Saharan Regional Pipeline

gas, coal and nuclear-powered turbines and plants, has been awarded

Corporation. The 350km road

a US$65m contract to equip the 600MW Karuma hydropower plant in

which has a paved carriageway

Uganda with turbine generator sets and related equipment. According

will be transformed into a

to the agreement, six 100MW Francis turbine generator sets and related

modern road. This road will

equipment is supposed to be installed by Alstom on the power plant. Alstom Hydro China will be responsible of designing, manufacture, and supervising the installation, commissioning and testing of the products. A Chinese engineering and construction company Sinohydro, which is currently undertaking the project said that this is a good opportunity for Alstom because it will enhance its presence in the African region as its hydropower technology is highly developed and long-standing. Once the mega project is complete, Uganda will receive 50% of its power from the Karuma hydropower project, set to be largest in Uganda. The US$2 billion plant power plant will also increase power supply for investments and agriculture production. It is expected to be complete by 2018. Karuma hydropower plant will be located on the Victoria Nile River in Kiryadongo and Oyam districts about 15 kilometers downstream of Karuma Falls.

FARO acquires kubit to expand operations FARO Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: FARO), the world’s most trusted source for 3D measurement, imaging, and realization

pass through Tete province and end at the Zambezi River – a common border for Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia.Apart from road rehabilitation works and renovation, the project will also entail expanding of the road and the existing structures reinforcement. Alignment will be done on the same road, and pavings and signs added.

BRITAIN’S biggest container

Angola’s state-owned Sonangol

port is using a temporary solution

EP is set to start off construction

of industrial process units for its

into the EU make the grade.

Lobito Refinery. The company will also ensure that Barra do

leader in the development of software for surveying and as-built

Kwanza

assets of its U.S. distributor Kubit USA, Inc and will help it expand

Ocean

terminal

completed by 2016, with its new capacity expected to be 640,000 square metres of gas, fuel and

on architecture, engineering and construction activities.Located in

lubricants. According to the

Dresden, Germany, kubit has been developing field-proven software

CEO of Sonangol EP Francisco

products to enable and simplify the use of real world objects in CAD applications since 1999.Initially launched to link total stations

de Lemos Maria, his company will construct fuel storage parks in Soyo, Namibe and Lubango.

directly to AutoCAD, today kubit is the industry leader in providing

The construction projects are

tools to integrate 3D laser scan data with CAD environments such

expected to be completed by

as Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD. kubit’s software is hardware independent, giving customers the flexibility to utilize any hardware offering, thus ensuring maximum productivity. 12

Two companies of Inyatsi Construction Group were recently awarded contracts to the value of a few billion rands to build and upgrade infrastructure in Zambia and Swaziland that will not only benefit local communities, but also the rest of Southern Africa. Inyatsi Roads (Zambia) Ltd was recently awarded two contracts to upgrade and build two main roads in Zambia, which will improve access for investors in these areas that will ensure economic development for the communities that live there. The company will upgrade and build the Chikankata Road and the Ndola–Mufulira Road. The value of the Chikankata Road contract is R82.75 million (US$6.8m) and the NdolaMufulira Road contract is worth R1.2 billion (US$100m).

Experts provide import solution at major port

Angola: Sonangol to construct Lobito refinery units

technology has announced the acquisition of kubit GmbH, a global

documentation.The acquisition also includes substantially all of the

Inyatsi Construction Group wins more projects in SubSahara

ensure

Temporary

goods building

imported experts

Spaciotempo have installed a high-tech structure at the Port of Felixstowe. And it’s being used to make sure imported goods from all over the world meets strict standards laid down by the European Commission. The 25m x 25m building, which is 5m high, is helping to cope with

demand

following

the

introduction of a new food safety

2017 to help in transportation of

programme at the port, which

crude oil from an order of four

now deals with around 60 per

ships, two of which are under

cent of all goods imported to the

construction at the moment.

UK. May 2015

2nd Annual Africa Hotel Expansion Summit 2015 Date: 12th - 13th February 2015 Venue: The Radisson Blu Hotel, Dakar, Senegal

Amaechi Ndili, CEO of Lionstone Group a premier investment and holding company speak at the event

Richard Shaw, Managing Partner of Senga Bay Capital making a presentation

Participants share a light moment at the event

Vernon Page, CEO Hotel Partners Africa makes his presentation

From Left - Richard Saw, Lasse Ristolainen, MariĂ¨me Travaly, Ludwig Bouldoukian's and LoĂŻc Gogue.

Kehinde Daniel, Chairperson Institute of Hospitality, UK (Nigeria International Branch) CEO of Kots Catering (Nigeria), making her points across

Launch of the 3rd Generation Digital Variable Multi System (DVMS) Date: 8th April 2015 Venue: Fairmont, The Norfolk, Nairobi

A senior official from Samsung Korea at the launch.

Samsung East & Central Africa's GM for Consumer Electronics Allan Oyier gives a vote of thanks.

Mr Rabba Sehmi of Hotpoint Appliances follows the procedings.

Nancy Muthoni of the Property Show listens to the presentation.

Samsung's Head of Air Conditioning Business Unit George Kebaso explains features of the DVMS.

Industrialization Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed (right) chats with Samsung East and Central Africa COO Robert Ng'eru at the launch of Samsung DVMS Air conditioner.

GUEST

Chemical Admixtures have truly transformed concrete

Charles Nmai, Ph.D., P.E., FACI – BASF Corporation (Admixture Systems)

In combination with supplementary cementitious materials and the use of advanced mixture proportioning techniques, it is now possible to produce high-performance concretes to meet the ever-increasing demands of owners and the design community. 14

ignificant strides have been made in concrete construction over the years largely because of advancements in concreting materials—in particular, chemical admixtures. Since the development of the first modern-era chemical admixture in the 1930s, admixtures have transformed concrete more rapidly in the past few decades. In combination with supplementary cementitious materials and the use of advanced mixture proportioning techniques, it is now possible to produce highperformance concretes to meet the everincreasing demands of owners and the design community. These demands include improved workability and control of the setting characteristics of concrete to facilitate concreting operations, high strength, improved durability and sustainability in concrete construction. Ever since the introduction of the first water reducer in 1932 by Master Builders, Inc., now a part of BASF Corporation, water reducers have played a central role in concrete production. Mid-range water reducers, typically used in the midslump range of 5 to 8 inches, help reduce stickiness and improve pumpability and the finishability of concrete mixtures, including mixtures containing silica fume, or concrete made with manufactured or harsh sand. Consequently, mid-range water reducers are used quite a bit in flatwork. Advancements in water reducers have predominantly been in high-range water reducers and, currently, polycarboxylate-ethers (PCEs) have led to increased use of higher slump concretes, in particular, self-consolidating concrete (SCC). SCC is proportioned to flow and consolidate under its own weight with minimal, if any, vibration. As a result, SCC is helping to minimize consolidation-related issues and improving overall surface finish, especially in structures with heavily congested reinforcement. SCC has widespread acceptance in the precast

concrete industry and its use in cast-in-place applications is increasing. Iconic buildings, such as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the World Trade Center buildings in New York City, are examples of structures where SCC has been used to facilitate construction. High-range water reducers are also an integral part of high-strength concrete mixtures and concretes proportioned for low permeability and durability, because they provide significant reductions in total mix water content. Concrete structures can now be designed for increased service life in aggressive environments because of durability-enhancing admixtures. These admixtures include air entrainers for concretes that will be exposed to repeated cycles of freezing and thawing, corrosion inhibitors to protect embedded reinforcement from chloride-induced corrosion, lithiumbased admixtures for mitigation of alkalisilica reaction (ASR), shrinkage reducers and a recently introduced crack-reducing admixture. In addition, there are other specialty admixtures such as anti-washout admixtures for underwater concreting, permeability reducing admixtures for “waterproofing” of concrete and coloring admixtures to improve aesthetics. Among their many uses, chemical admixtures have also facilitated the production of very high early strength-on-demand concretes for overnight replacement of deteriorated sections of concrete pavements, concretes for long-haul applications through the use of hydrationcontrolling admixtures and/or workability retaining admixtures that make the 90 minute/300 revs limitation for concrete discharge obsolete, and high-performance environmentally preferable concretes to meet the needs of sustainable professionals. Overall, the real benefit of chemical admixtures is that they make it possible to produce concrete for challenging applications. May 2015

No matter what, we have you covered Unitile, universal grit coated metal roof tiles When you’re looking for roof cover that won’t let you down, Uni-tile from GRS is the really smart way to go. Universally compatible with other popular metal roof tiles, the cost effective Uni-tile is ideal for extension and re-roofing projects, as well as for new roofs. As if that wasn’t smart enough, Uni-tile offers a wider top range for easier fixing to the batten, a wider bottom lip for better water resistance, and a bigger side lap to prevent water leakage. Available in three standard colours (non-standard colours available on request*), Uni-tile’s 100% acrylic coating can withstand high ultra-violet levels and the most adverse of weather conditions, while the elasticity of the coating prevents the chipping and cracking caused by bad weather. So if you’re looking to go under-cover, get the cover that won’t let you down. Speak to GRS. The smart roof people. Talk to us, The Smart Roof People on 011 898 2900 or visit www.globalroofs.co.za or info@globalroofs.co.za *subject to minimum orders

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COVER STORY

CROSSRAIL project

Europe’s largest construction project

urope’s largest construction project is now over 60 percent complete! Crossrail, which entails development of over 100km of rail and 40 stations,

is set to transform London’s railway transportation by reducing travel times and increasing railway transport capacity by 10%. By comparison, the Gautrain project in South Africa covers 80km and boasts only 10 stations, giving an indication of the scale of the crossrail project. The project involves a route running from Reading and Heathrow in the west, through new tunnels under central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east. The new railway system, which is scheduled to start operation in 2018, will have new stations at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, Custom House, Woolwich and Abbey Wood. Over 10,000 people are on the site.

Already, 40km of the 42km underground tunnels beneath London have been constructed. The underneath tunnel is being undertaken by use of eight tunning machines (TBMs). In total, 95% of TBM tunnelling has already been completed and it is expected that work will finish in spring 2015. Phyllis and Ada tunnelling machines have completed constructing 6.8km of tunnel between Royal Oak to Farringdon, while Elizabeth and Victoria tunnelling machines are now undertaking underneath tunnel construction between Limmo in Canning Town and Farringdon. Construction of underneath tunnel running 2.9km from Plumstead to North Woolwich has already been completed on the South East of London – it was being undertaken by Sophia and Mary tunnelling machines. Tunnel drives that links Pudding Mill Lane portal near Stratford to Stepney Green from Limmo to Victoria May 2015

Dock Portal have already been constructed – the work was being done by Jessica and Ellie tunnel boring machines. 200 million passengers will be expected to use the rail annually, a rail that will have an impact on the country’s economy since it will link Heathrow, West End, the City, and Docklands. The £14.8 billion project, which started in 2009, is progressing in 40 construction sites and is expected to be delivered on time. Crossrail stations in central London and Docklands have already been flagged off.

Operational schedule Operation of the Crossrail system for service delivery is expected to come stepwise, with full service expected in 2019. Apparently, major civil engineering works and tunnelling is almost through and it is expected that between now and 2017, Network Rail will carry out major upgrading of existing rail network and fit-out of stations. The £300m worth fit-out project will be undertaken by Costain Ltd in a joint venture with TSO and Alstom Transport. Existing suburban trains between Liverpool Street and Shenfield will start to be replaced in 2017 by first new Crossrail rolling stock. It is expected that the mainline platforms from Heathrow to Paddington will open its service in May 2018 as the first section to go online, while Paddington (Crossrail platforms) to Abbey Wood will open service doors in December 2018. Paddington (Crossrail platforms) to Shenfield is expected to come online on May 2019, while the full through service (including Berkshire stations) will start operation in December 2019. In order to be operational the Crossrail will need 65 new trains, and each will be 205 metres long and capable of carrying 1,500 passengers. Bombardier Transportation will be supplying the rolling stock and depot after winning a contract worth £1bn from Transport for London. The company will also be undertaking maintenance of the rolling stock and depot to be Old Oak Common – all for 32 years. They will supply the stock progressively to see service delivery, starting with Great Eastern Main Line in May 2017. The company will manufacture and assemble the trains at its plant in Derby. UK economy will benefit from this contract by 74% and will generate 760 jobs in the UK manufacturing sector and 80 apprenticeships. 244 jobs and 16 apprenticeships will be generated through Old Oak Common depot maintenance. Bombardier Transportation was also involved in the Gautrain project.

Economic benefits UK is targeting to generate £42bn from the massive project that will create several employment opportunities.. Undertaking the project alone has benefitted SMEs, who comprise over half of those subcontracted, as well as businesses outside London. The project will create 75,000 supply opportunities and support full time employment equivalent to 55, 000 people. May 2015

support service by 24 trains per hour at peak times between Whitechapel and Paddington. The central section is however planned to operate with 30 trains per hour at a later date. Project Funding The mode of funding will invite the collaboration between the private and public sector. The UK ggovernment, Mayor of London and London businesses will together be contributing a total of £14.8 billion for the Crossrail project, with the amount including possible contingency and expected inflation costs. The amount was arrived at through a Comprehensive Spending Review done in October 2010. According to the funding framework, £7.1bn will Fit-out works

come from the Mayor of London, through Transport for

Fit-out of the tunnel will be carried out to install 40km of

London (TfL) and the Greater London Authority (GLA).

track and overhead electric conductor rails that will power

A grant of £4.7 billion will come from the UK government

the trains. Also part of the fit-out will be installation of

through the Department for Transport, while £4.1bn will

drainage systems and ventilation works. The entire tunnel

come from London businesses through Business Rate

will need to be installed with 40km of fire mains and

Supplement and other modalities. £2.3bn will be spent by Network Rail on improving the

lighting, 48 ventilation fans, 40km of walkways and 66

current rail network. The amount comes from projected

drainage pumps.

operating surpluses of income from use of Crossrail services.

Signalling Siemens PLC and Invensys Rail Limited have, in a joint

Key beneficiaries of the Crossrail network, including

venture, already won a signalling contract for the railway

City of London Corporation and Heathrow Airport, are

system. The signalling contract will see installation of

likely to also provide additional funds for the project. In

Automatic Train Operation so that the trains will deliver

total, Londoners and London businesses will contribute

“a high-frequency metro service.” In particular, it will

60% of the cost.

Contracts Various construction contracts have been given to various companies and in sections. The following companies will undertake the construction of various stations along the route:

BAM Nuttall, Ferrovial Agroman (UK) & Kier Construction JV

Paddington station: the main construction contract has been awarded to Costain Skanska JV

Whitechapel station: main construction awarded to Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering, Morgan Sindall & Vinci Construction UK JV

Bond Street station: main construction contractor - Costain Skanska JV Tottenham Court Road station (western ticket hall only): main construction will be done by Laing O’Rourke. A separate contract awarded by TfL for eastern ticket hall. Farringdon station: main construction 18

Liverpool Street station: main construction contract - Laing O’Rourke

Canary Wharf station: being delivered by Canary Wharf Group for fixed price of £500m. Canary Wharf Group will also contribute £150m towards the £500m cost of the station. Woolwich box: construction undertaken by Berkeley Homes Western tunnels (Royal Oak

to Farringdon) + Early Access Shafts and Sprayed Concrete Lining Works for Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road stations tunnels: BAM Nuttall, Ferrovial Agroman (UK) Ltd, Kier Construction Ltd Eastern tunnels (Limmo to Farringdon, Limmo to Victoria Dock, Stepney Green to Pudding Mill Lane): Dragados S.A., John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd Thames Tunnel: Hochtief Construction AG, J Murphy & Sons Ltd Connaught Tunnel refurbishment: Vinci Construction UK Ltd May 2015

WHY ARE BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES COLLAPSING IN AFRICA?

12 - 14 May

2015

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May 2015

FLOORS

Best flooring options for an office

n a corporate environment, a top-quality office flooring is crucial both as the first impression the clients will see and in creating a comfortable work environment for employees. The selection and installation of flooring is a complex process that starts with design and affects an office as long as it exists. When chosen and installed correctly, office flooring can create the ideal space for both the employees and the clients, blending design with practicability. This will undoubtedly have a positive effect on the output. Types of flooring Warm up your office with Carpet and carpet tiles This type of flooring is ideal for businesses that need some kind of noise insulation, such as an office environment. It is, however, important to put into consideration that May 2015

carpet can easily get stained and may require close attention over time. Carpet tiles provide more flexibility because each tile can be replaced individually. Carpet tiles also come in different styles and patterns, giving the managers a range of choices that reflect the brand and aesthetic of an office. Vinyl flooring; a touch of style and affordability Vinyl flooring is popular for commercial flooring because it offers a long-lasting performance. It is ideal for offices that have high traffic like hospitals and retail stores. This type of flooring is resilient and resistant to damage, such as dents and scratches. It comes in many different colours and designs bringing a stylish touch to an office. It is easy to clean and with minimal maintenance. 21

Rubber Flooring; for resilience and ease of maintenance Rubber flooring is ideal for high-traffic commercial interior spaces such as airports, healthcare facilities and restaurants. Rubber flooring is durable and is resistant to water and heat and is easy to maintain. Besides being comfortable to walk on, it is slip-resistant and sound absorbent. It comes in a variety of textures and colours. Hardwood flooring: A classic and timeless look Hardwood flooring has been the stylish look in most offices from time immemorial and has never gone out of style. It elevates the look and feel of the interior design of an office besides being durable and easy to clean. It is a great office flooring office option for areas that have a lot of activity. Even though it faces damage from moisture, choosing a pre-finished floor can help maintain its appearance. Hardwood flooring traps dust which many other floors absorb.

Construction Chemicals Building History

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Laminate This is a more inexpensive alternative to wood flooring, tiles or stone. The lamination process involves fusing of two or more types of materials and sealing them. It is simple to install and does not scratch or dent easily. This flooring type is durable, easy to clean and maintain. It also comes with various options to choose from; smooth laminate, embossed laminate, patina laminate and wood grain laminate. Mukesh Kumar of Accord Flooring, India’s flooring experts observes that for a market that is bursting forth like Africa, laminate flooring is a product with huge potential because of its cost effectiveness. Tiles Tiles last for a really long time and do not wear out. Some tiles are stronger than others leaving the buyer to choose. Glass tiles are water resistant and also stain resistant. Tiles also improve the beauty of an office as long as it is cleaned regularly. Factors in play when choosing the best office flooring Not all floor finishes are ideal for all locations. Managers should be proactive and partner with industry professionals like the architects, interior designers and manufacturers to determine the best flooring for their offices. Partnering with the professionals will help them take into account the numerous factors that they might overlook when planning on their own to install flooring: Traffic levels into the office. High-traffic offices require flooring that can withstand the heavy traffic into the offices. University buildings, airports and areas of public congregation often feature flooring types like terrazzo, marble or even granite flooring. These are hard May 2015

surfaces that can withstand wearing and the heavy traffic into the buildings for years. Traffic levels also depends on the function of the office thus affects the cleanliness and maintenance of the office. Repair flexibility. When choosing a type of flooring, the ease of its repair when it starts to wear out should be at the center of focus. An observation into the hallways of most offices reveal that most walking take place in this area and is therefore likely to be the first to wear out. The flooring plan chosen should be easy to repair or replace without inconveniencing the employees, clients and the business as a whole. Ease of maintenance. Most of the common types of flooring need significant and a close attention. Spills on carpets for example, need to be removed as soon as possible and vinyl composite tile (VCT) often have to be stripped of old floor finish and replaced with a new one. Terrazzo might also require regular buffing, and marble might require polishing. Therefore, the cost of labour to maintain flooring acceptably over time will be many times the installation cost. Rated service life. The life expectancy of any floor surface often depends on issues that the manufacturers cannot predict, such as the level of maintenance for that finish. A well maintained floor type may last longer than the rated life expectancy period. Recycling or reusing the flooring. Some flooring types have higher levels of volatile organic compounds than others. The contents of flooring not only have a direct impact on

indoor air quality but also on the ability to recycle the end product and the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to reuse the end product. Money factor. The old saying about penny-wise and pound-foolish is not appropriate when considering the most suitable flooring type for an office. One should consider the life-cycle costs of the flooring types; products with lower initial costs might not remain cheaper over time than products with higher initial costs. Choosing inexpensive flooring plan during the design stage is false savings. Trends Most people and even companies have become thrifty and are learning to do more with less, which means recycling products, repurposing old products and replacing things less frequently. This bit of creativity has extended to the manufacturers of new products as well. The flooring, especially carpet and tiles nowadays come into the market are highly recyclable. Keeping used carpets out of landfills has a huge positive impact on the environment. Apart from the recyclability of the tiles, Prashant Patel from Indiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bej Ceramics observes that ceramic tiles as a flooring alternative has undergone tremendous transformation since the introduction of digital printing technology. He says that consumers no longer prefer ceramic tiles for cleanliness and hygiene, they also want unique designs. To read more and to comment on this story visit

http://www.constructionreviewonline.com

May 2015

FLOORS - EPOXY AND POLYURETHANE COATINGS

Durable Floor Finishes Epoxy and polyurethane coatings

Epoxy or polyurethane floor finishes on concrete offer several advantages whether it is an industrial or commercial floor. Generally these finishes offer great value for money, durability and maintenance. Before one decides on the choice of floor finish consider the various advantages that these finishes offer; In the first place preparation doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t demand much professionalism. The only basic requirement is to clean the floor entirely before applying the finishing, and then dry it up completely to enhance bonding between the floor and the finishing. It is therefore easy to prepare. In addition these finishes are cheaper and they last longer. They are mostly made from chemical solution. They therefore resurface the floor, leveling it out, hence making it appear stylish and smooth. They can be applied to cracked-wornout floors to renew them. They are therefore a reliable makeover to the old-worn out-floors. Applying a finishing will be cheaper than spending a lot on floor re installation and maintenance. Resistance to damage is key to any floor and these finishes create a steadfast resistance to damage caused by heavy traffic and equipment. The tender smooth surface will save friction and harm of your tools against the floor surface. They are durable and can be relied upon, since even heavy objects falling on them cannot cause much harm. Everyone appreciates an attractive and clean looking environment. These finishes offer this as well. The workshop floors will appear professional and well

maintained, since the surface is scratch resistant. How about cleaning? For cleaning a coated floor, you just need a rag and soapy water and make the floor super clean from motor oil greases, paint, stain, dirt or even grass. You will find it harder to clean a cement floor from the stains above, hence making the floor appear very unattractive. Finishes also come in various colors helping to maintain any interior design theme you may be considering. Differences Epoxy is a flooring system that is made up by mixing resins and hardeners, which react chemically, forming a strong plastic material which is resistant to degradation. The end result is usually a strong surface that can be used widely-from residential units to big commercial environments. A multiple layers of epoxy are applied to a floor toa depth of at least 2mm. The merits of Epoxy finishes are that it is made from a petrochemical material, and it is heat resistant, and durable. It is available in water based formulation, solvent based formulation and solid. They are easy to apply and have special bonding characteristics. When epoxy is regularly applied on a cement floor, it ends up transforming the floor to a non-porous surface. Cleaning it up is efficient and effortless since it is impermeable to air, water and other fluids. It is reliable for resurfacing worn out floors, since its polymers are formed from a chemical May 2015

solution, making it appear more descent and leveled. The solid formulations provide hard, thick and impact resistant surface. It therefore works well against scratch and wear. It is recommended for even open work places like garage, since its rigidness protects it from wearing out due to the heat, and rolling of heavy machinery. Polyurethane on the other hand is also a floor coating applied to enhance the appearance, protect and enable the floor maintenance to be easier and cost effective. Polyurethane too is also a thermosetting polymer that performs best in coating. Though it is available in several formulations, the aliphatic polyurethane is the one suitable for heat-exposed work stations, like a garage for example. Compared to epoxy, polyurethane is more flexible

May 2015

and it absorbs impacts better. It is scratch resistant. Its wear resistance ratio compared to epoxy as per some manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s claim is 3 to1. It has a higher resistance to chemicals and solvents. In addition polyurethane is ultra violet stable. Though it is not as hard as epoxy, it is more scratch resistant and can even put up with high temperatures even when exposed to sunlight. It is available in several forms from satin to glossy. Lastly they are also solvent based, and have a low boiling point. It therefore requires a respirator to apply. But once through with the application, it serves very well in high temperatures. Whether you use one or the other or even both the results will ensure that your floor remains spic-and-span for a long time to come.

ON A ‘GRATE’ FOOTING

Safety and performance versus cost Vital Engineering offers the market sound advice on design and installation of floor gratings

he choice between fibreglass and steel, and performance versus cost can be bewildering when it comes to installing floor gratings. More often than not, the decision is cost-driven, which can pose a serious threat to safety on site and therefore to the human assets of a company. Dodds Pringle, Managing Director of Vital Engineering, the leading manufacturer of a broad range of floor gratings, stair treads and safety hand rails, is passionate about educating the market about safety on site in relation to the design and installation of floor gratings. The company is proud to be the first South African gratings, hand railing and expanded metal manufacturer to obtain an international ISO 9001 design accreditation, and to have held this certification for over 19 years. “In our experience, the safety of the human asset is unfortunately sometimes the last consideration when purchasing floor gratings. The choice of material that people have to walk on should not be driven by cost, but by many other factors, above all safety. There is not enough

knowledge in the market surrounding the importance of gratings,” Pringle maintains. As specialists in this field, Vital Engineering has decided to step into the breach and provide practical advice to industry on the critical issues of safety, quality and design specifications when it comes to the choice of gratings customers should make. One of the initiatives that the company has taken in creating safety awareness is to distribute a CD to customers detailing the correct gratings installation and performance specifications. The CD provides installation guidelines for the customer, and has been used in the construction site context for induction purposes. “For example, there needs to be some education to prepare the market for the transition between steel and fibreglass products, and that it is a design issue. These products are not able to take the same load, but then again, each has their own advantages. Our value offering at Vital Engineering is to be a part of the design process in order to guide our customers in ascertaining best performance May 2015

specifications,” says Pringle. While fibreglass may recently have become a popular choice in gratings, there is considerable uncertainty about its strength, notes Pringle. This is where design specifications come in, which demand proper research into specific SABS requirements and performance requirements, based on factors such as load and type (harshness) of environment. “While steel offers more strength than synthetic products, fibreglass is a very robust, low-maintenance product, which reduces the maintenance cycle considerably.These products are best used, amongst other areas, on conveyor walkways, taking into consideration the load-bearing requirements and ensuring that the product is in line with all relevant industry specifications,” says Pringle. “The risk involved with purchasing gratings according to the lowest price lies in quality and safety specifications not being adhered to,” he emphasises, adding that this can result in other related costs such as injury on site and downtime. Despite the rising input costs of steel manufacturing in South Africa, Vital Engineering remains committed to sustainability in the industry by refusing to compromise on a quality output, and retaining safety as its focus. The ongoing challenge is the competition the industry faces due to lower prices in the international market.

May 2015

“Vital Engineering strives to find the most economical solutions for our customers which provide value and quality in the long run. ‘Value-adds’ which we offer our clients include lowering ‘cost of installation’ while increasing maintenance efficiencies. Our input materials are 350WA grade, which offers greater strength than those in a commercial grade material,” says Pringle. In offering to be a part of the customer’s design process, Vital Engineering runs full checks on load requirements, according to the client’s drawings, in order to ensure compliance from a performance safety point of view, and in relation to SABS requirements. While the trend is towards cost-driven decision making, as the largest manufacturer and supplier in the gratings sector in South Africa, Vital Engineering considers it of paramount importance to educate the market about the importance of prioritising safety and performance above cost advantage only. “We hope that our efforts will help to increase awareness about safety on site, and that looking after human capital should take precedence over cheaper gratings materials of inferior quality, which could prove more costly – on a number of important levels - in the long run,” Pringle concludes.

FLOORING - STEEL FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE

A typical example of load-bearing capacity of floors on piles

South Africa

Steel reinforced durability The most effective way in which the performance of concrete floors in buildings in Sub Saharan Africa can be enhanced is through steel fibre reinforcement.This enables organisations to operate safely and efficiently from floors that are durable in the most demanding heavy-duty environment,Construction Review learns from Phil Walker, the Managing Director of RCRFlooring Products South Africa.

s the limitations of ‘conventional’ concrete floors in industrial warehouses continue to be exposed, strangely enough, wrong procurement

crucial role in ensuring a safe and efficient environment. When exposed to constant pounding from activity, ordinary concrete floors easily give in to incessant cracking which

decisions, which are costing infrastructure developers in

proves difficult and costly to contain. In comparison, when

Africa billions in replacement and repair costs, continue

reinforced with steel fibre which optimises crack control,

to be made.

explains Walker, concrete floors are more durable even in

However, it is uplifting to note that reinforcing concrete

the most demanding and heavy-duty environment.

floors with steel fibre, addresses this challenge adequately. Construction Review seeks the opinion of Managing

Operational advantages

Director of RCR Flooring Products South Africa, Phil

Through meticulous engineering, the strengthened concrete

Walker, on the relevance of this innovation in African

floors have optimal load bearing capacity, optimum crack

construction, based on his company’s rich experience.

control, high impact resistance and high fatigue resistance.

RCR is widely known as the leading supplier of steel fibre

Walker says: “On the whole, the reinforced concrete floors

concrete reinforcing solutions,as well as other products

bring the following operational benefits: they cost much

worldwide.The company sources its products from its

less to maintain and repair, have a longer lifespan as they

strategic partner, Bekaert.

have optimised thickness, and better performance. Further, with their enhanced robustness, mesh is not needed during

A recommended option

construction.

Walker firmly believes that steel fibre reinforced concrete

“The steel fibre reinforcement is evenly distributed

floors should be a top priority in projects, as they play a

throughout the concrete - at the top layer, in the core, at May 2015

the sides, at the bottom, enabling it to withstand extreme forces. Ultimately, the fibre rises to the occasion when called to task.” Above and beyond, the steel fibre reinforced industrial floors enable organisations to meet the most demanding hygiene, safety, and environmental requirements.

cut floors and bonded overlays, jointless floors, standard floor and hard standings, seamless floors, liquid tight floors, thin jointless renovation floors, coated floors and industrial floors. Besides steel fibres, the company stocks the following most sought after construction products: steel fibres, formwork, armoured joints, bonding agents, dry-shake toppings, decorative finishes, floor hardeners, accelerating additives,curing and sealing compounds, cleaning solvents and detergents. Growing niche Walker says that, over the years, RCR’s range of steel fibres have become a popular choice in concrete reinforcement in various industries in South Africa. Now, the company is making inroads in various industries in Sub Saharan Africa. “We are focused on convincing purchasing managers that steel fibre reinforced concrete is a necessity in the current construction environment in which procurement oversights can be costly to redress,” he says. South Africa

Multifaceted applications On its part, RCR South Africa has gone a notch further in the supply of steel reinforced fibre solutions by sourcing products to suit a project’s particular requirements, from standard industrial floors to the most demanding one-off applications. Underscoring the significance of this approach, Walker says: “We are aware that every industry has its own very specific needs, from the liquid-impermeable surfaces in the chemical industry to the foundations for high-tech clad racks and floors on piles.” Through its partnership with Bekaert, RCR is guaranteed of the right quality and quantity of products at all times. Bekaert manufactures products through its factories which are based in eight countries after intensive research and development. Besides warehouses, the products can be used in heavy-duty pavements for harbours, airports, and

other outdoor industrial activities. It has options for saw-

May 2015

STEEL FIBRE REINFORCED, LOW SHRINKAGE CONCRETE

No more concrete floor shrinkage, No more joints, No more high maintenance costs – increased productivity! Concrete Laser Flooring’s CLF Composite Concrete was severely tested in the Pomona Warehouse Project in Johannesburg and it excelled, with the client rest assured of having a shrinkage-resistant jointless floor.

South Africa

oncrete Laser Flooring (CLF) understands that the efficacy of a quality product can be valued betteronly when it is applied correctly. This was illustrated recently in the 10,454m2 Pomona Warehouse project in Johannesburg where the company supplied and installed a 130mm thick CLF Composite Jointless Floor on grade using steelfibrereinforced low shrink concrete. Situated in an10, 454m2 area,the building programme was very tight and the client’s operational requirements very high. The client required a high quality jointless floor that would be maintenance free and the tight programme constraints dictated that the floor had to be installed in a very short timescale. Thus, as much as possible, CLF worked on the project painstakingly to ensure that everything was within specification and the floor was placed within a period of 3 days. The steel fibres, together with the shrinkage reducing admixture, were added using a specially designed integration machine located on site and manned by experienced CLF operators. Afrisam, the readymix concrete supplier, delivered concrete to site at a rate in excess of 35-40m³ per hour.AfrisamReadymix provided the mix design and support on site for the project. Drawing on 17 years’ experience Since 1998, CLF has installed quality floors in industries ranging from agriculture to high-tech electronics, from pharmaceuticals to automated guidance vehicle (AGV) logistics. CLF was the first company in South Africa to introduce laser screed technology, steel fibre reinforced

surface bed construction and jointless flooring. Today it is a leading contractor in industrial floor design, construction and repair. Revolutionary composite floors CLF Compositeis a revolutionary high – tech approach to concrete productionand low shrinkjointless flooring. Using a high dosage of steel fibre reinforcement coupled with low shrink concrete and special quality – management techniques, the company is able to produce Composite concrete that is tougher, stronger, crack-free and ecologically friendly. CLF Composite Jointless floors are very widely used in warehouses, large stores, car parks, industrial factories, sports halls and many other facilities. Benefits •

No joints - up to 6 000m2 panels

•

Racking installed anywhere on the floor

•

Flatter floors smooth operation for forklifts - better productivity

•

Faster operation of forklifts as no slowing down for joints - better productivity

•

Low maintenance due to no joints

•

Curling is eliminated

•

Functionality and flexibility of the floor are much better as racking and equipment can be placed anywhere on the floor without consideration of floor joints

•

Superb fatigue and endurance

•

Shrinkage and crack control

•

Increased tensile, compression, shear flexural strength

•

High impact strength

•

Faster construction

•

Green floor less co2

•

increased market value of the building

•

Up to 50% less cement used

•

Improved durability and hygiene

Industry wide approval CFL Composite brand has earned plaudits in the construction and allied industries worldwide.Without doubt, the most outstanding accolade was notching the Steel fibre reinforced concrete floors used in Pomona Warehouse Project, Johannesburg

Most Innovative Product of 2012 Award at the World of Concrete show in Las Vegas, USA. May 2015

BETTER SOLUTIONS FOR CONCRETE FLOORS Diamond Dowel® Superior load transfer and simple installation By simply substituting the Diamond Dowel® System for conventional round dowels in formed construction joints, designers can improve load transfer effectiveness, reduce restraint within the slabs, and minimize costs.

Better engineering… Faster, easier installation… Most cost effective aligned dowel system

Diamond plate dowel

Pocket former and diamond shape allows slab to shrink without being restricted by diamond dowel

Construction joint

Construction joint Diamond plate dowel

With plate optimised material, where stresses are highest

Slab shrinkage direction

Pocket former allows for slab shrinkage movement

Joint opens up due to slab shrinkage

PLAN – Before slab shrinkage

PLAN – After slab shrinkage

Pocket former with vertical tight fit Pocket former with vertical tight fit

Construction joint Diamond plate dowel

Slab shrinkage direction Joint opens up due to slab shrinkage

SECTION A – Before slab shrinkage

SECTION B – After slab shrinkage

Group Company

www.concreteflooring.co.za

GLASS FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE

R.S.A. SUPPLIERS OF GRC KNOW HOW, A. R. GLASSFIBRE ROVINGS AND MACHINES

Since 1976 GLASSFIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE IN SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa

GRC M supplies the GRC industry with: • Product development • A.R. Fibre • Production Process and Factory Layout advice • Plant, Machinery and Spares • Marketing Assistance

CONTACT: PETER RADEMAN : Email: grcm@iafrica.com Tel: 082 377 1651, 012 772 1459 32

Glass fibre Reinforced Convenience Instead of clinging on to the convoluted brick and mortar construction methods, Southern Africa has started to use Glass Reinforced Concrete sandwich wall panels to address its mounting basic services infrastructure backlog, writes PETER RADEMAN, Director of GRC Marketing.

o you think the concept of reinforcing concrete with glassfibre is something new? Haven’t you heard that ancient Egyptians devised something on its lines? The ancient Egyptians were able to improve the properties of ordinary clay by adding straw and so converted it into a material which could be used for construction. Some examples of this exist to this day. For centuries, it was a dream to be able to do the same for Portland cement bound composites in areas where there was no clay. Amongst the possible fibres which could be used for this was fiberised glass but the problem was that the alkali environment of hydrating cement attacks the glass fibres and the composite looses some of its properties. Breakthrough The breakthrough came in the 1960’s when the British Building Research Institute discovered that alkali resisting properties were achieved by adding zircon oxide to the raw material constituents of the fibreglass. This discovery was taken over and initially developed by Pilkingtons of England then later commercialised by Owens Corning in the USA. Today, GRC is one of the most versatile building materials available to architects and engineers and alkali resistant glassfibres are produced in various factories around the world to supply the fast growing demand. High performance composites GRC is not a single material but rather a family of high performance cement bound composites reinforced with variable percentages of special alkali resistant glassfibres to provide designed strength. The high tensile strength and the fact that the glassfibre reinforcement does not rust or suffer from any degradation due to the environment means that no cover is needed to

protect it. This enables the material to be used for products which require a thin skin with high strength. Products with skin thicknesses down to 10mm are possible. In general, GRC presents architects and engineers with a material from which the most ambitious designs can be created in highly moulded futuristic or traditional profile. Typical applications Some typical applications for GRC are: Water and drainage products, permanent formwork in Bridge decks and tunnels, Modular building, Roofing, Cladding, Features and Mouldings, Landscaping, and Architectural Panels and Features. Significance in Southern Africa There is high demand for basic structures like houses, classrooms and clinics, mostly in remote and inaccessible locations in Africa. Hence to meet this, the local range of products is specially designed fabricated with a simpler pattern than in other parts of the world. GRC is mostly made into sandwich panels for walling. It encapsulates a core material to provide a robust well insulated walling unit which can be tailored to suit a range of environments. For South Africa, in particular, GRC sandwich wall panels are even handier, bearing in mind that the flood of immigrants into RSA from neighbouring countries has overstressed the supply of structures for basic services like toilet ablution blocks, houses and clinics. GRC Marketing are the accredited suppliers to such esteemed manufacturers as Wilson Stone for architectural panels and products as well as IzwelethuCemforce’s Agreement certified toilets which are used through out RSA and comprising of Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC) sandwich wall and roof panels. May 2015

® ®

7 YEAR WARRANTY

(PTY) LTD Reg. No. 98/23505/07

Engineering Access Control

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2 YEAR WARRANTY

TRAFFIC BARRIERS

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SUSPENDED LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE

South Africa

lightweight suspended concrete - Mechanical Equipment hung from Insudek slab

The ‘lightweight’ with massive stamina! Specially engineered lightweight suspended concrete floors have proved to be a far superior alternative to ‘conventional’ products. Construction Review looks at Lidetek Botswana & associate SA business Mokete’s INSUDEK system as a prototype.

hough at a much slower pace than in developed economies, fast track construction methods are growing in popularity in sub Saharan African countries and one area in which this trend is evident is in concrete flooring systems for application in double and multi-storey buildings where lightweight suspended concrete flooring alternatives are in the spotlight. To learn more about their significance in the changing African Construction landscape, Construction Review engaged Lynne Dall, the Managing Director of Mokete Africa Holdings and Litedek Botswana. The two firms’ specialty is the design/manufacture and development of lightweight suspended concrete flooring systems. Dall, a veteran with over 40 years’ experience in structural commercial engineering refers to the INSUDEK system, which she refined over decades and pioneered in

Botswana 15 years ago. She describes the method as a “simple, cost effective, lightweight insulated concrete slab system”. Design INSUDEK is a one or two way spanning conventional reinforced concrete ribbed slab, which is designed in accordance with the ruling codes of practice. The slab is designed as continuous or simply supported, which gives it a high load bearing capacity. In addition, high density, fire retardant polystyrene blocks are rebated to fit between lipped channels with prefixed reinforcement. “The combination of the channels, plus rebated blocks acts as a permanent shutter for the casting of +-60mm structural topping incorporating anti-crack welded mesh fabric,” Dall elaborates. May 2015

Application Dall says well over two and a half million square metres of INSUDEK slabs have been constructed on government and commercial buildings over the past decade throughout Southern Africa. It has been used in buildings as high as seven storeys. Structural benefits INSUDEK has significant structural benefits when used correctly, including but not limited to:

In contrast, this is not possible with pre-stressed planks, therefore loose bars must be placed on top of the lintols which is not a sound structural detail. 2. Inbuilt insulation/acoustic properties The INSUDEK slab has inbuilt insulation and acoustic properties. This is very critical given the new laws recently promulgated in SA requiring that slabs must be insulated. This new ruling is soon to be adopted by many other African countries. For this reason, in order to achieve the required R Value (which is a manner of measuring insulation properties), the additional cost of insulating slabs must be added to any cost comparison in the case of pre-stressed plank and concrete block or solid in-situ slabs. 3. Easy haulage & Transport It is not feasible to use concrete blocks in ribbed slab designs, considering that +- 250 to 300kgs per metre squared must be lifted in place, while 3kgs per metre squared INSUBLOCKS can be used. ‘Conventional’ blocks do not come any cheaper and do not offer insulation. Noteworthy, the greatly reduced self-weight of INSUDEK affects the cost of the overall support structure.

lightweight suspended concrete - Factory slab - Pouring Concrete

Shorter turnaround time

Contractors regularly using the system find that INSUDEK takes less than half the time to construct as compared to a solid in-situ slab. The majority of contractors can erect the INSUDEK SLAB in house, particularly considering its simplicity and the lightweight properties of the components.

South Africa

1. Ribs cast simultaneously The ribs together with the structural topping are cast simultaneously with INSUDEK( whereas in the instance of pre-stressed concrete planks one must rely on the bond of the dry concrete planks to the wet in-situ concrete) In cases where RC beams form part or all of the support structure, one gains a “sound” monolithic connection between the slab & beams by virtue of protruding the reinforcing bars which are prefixed in the channel, beyond the length of the channel, which bars then hook into the RC beams.

Insudek Ground Floor Slab Due to the unprecedented success of the INSUDEK suspended slab, Dall has introduced an alternative to a raft foundation This INSUDEK ground floor slab can be utilised on ground conditions that do not specifically need a raft, due to bad soil conditions as the INSUDEK RAFT design is much faster and convenient to construct The way to go “low & high” Dall reasons that, if the construction industry is as serious as it claims about saving costs and using environmentally friendly systems, suspended lightweight concrete floors should be their preferred products in ground and multistorey buildings. “It’s a no brainer,” she concludes.

4. Fire rating The INSUDEK slab has a two-hour accredited fire rating. 5. Finishes The soffit of the slab can be plastered following the standard rib-block plastering procedure or ceiling fixed to the soffit of the slab or ceilings suspended. May 2015

Suspended lightweight concrete - Multi Level Construction

CONCRETE PUMPS

South Africa

Concrete Pumps designed to last longer in harsh environments Newton Mthethwa from Construction Review Speaks to Dustin Strever, Director of Shotcrete Africa SCP, regarding the opportunities and challenges facing Concrete Pumps in Africa.

he market for concrete pumps is strong, and sales in South Africa have continued to rise over the past few years, however the best opportunities are still to be found in Southern Africa, and Africa at large. In addition, Angola and Zimbabwe have high demand for concrete pumps and we are currently selling every pump we can get our hands on, explains Dustin Strever. It has become a case where clients are in such a hurry to take possession of a concrete pump that they are willing to pay almost as much for an instantly available preowned pump than to wait the 8-10 weeks for a new one. The drop in copper price has put some pressure on the DRC/ Zambian pump sales, however, they still require the pumps and we still have a backlog of orders, states Dustin Strever. The latest concrete pump developments have been centered on making pumps more efficient with cleaner burning diesel engines designed to meet or exceed the toughest pollutions emissions standards, such as the United States (US) Department of Transport Tier

May 2015

A SERIES

hassle. A reputation for supplying quality concrete pumps cannot be bought and must be earned and the concrete pump manufacturer has to have a global presence with dealers located in convenient supply hubs. In most cases quality pumps are expensive, because they have higher quality hydraulic pumps and components, higher output, cleaner and more efficient drive engines and they probably weigh a lot more than a competing machine due to being manufactured from thicker, better South Africa

4 standards. These strict standards do not have much to do with concrete pumps in Africa, and that means there are more pre-owned concrete pumps coming on to the market that are no longer legal in some parts of USA, but are perfectly usable where emissions standards are not as onerous, explains Dustin Strever. In addition, the industry has seen the entry of quieter running engines, a drive to cut down on maintenance costs, as well as embracing the latest technology- with some manufacturers offering mobile phone “Apps” that can monitor certain aspects of concrete pumps performance from a smart phone. New mines are being commissioned and cities are being built in Africa- all these requiring concrete and therefore this has increased the opportunities for selling concrete pumps into Africa. However, lack of required infrastructure and siting concrete pumps often in remote locations, presents challenges as it becomes more difficult to get service personnel firstly into the country of operation and then into the area of operation. In addition, you often rely on a local ‘fixer’ since it becomes expensive to send service personal to deal with breakdowns, explains Dustin Strever, It is imperative that the concrete pump clients acquire the best they can afford, as better quality equipment when serviced and operated correctly will last longer, giving less

grade steel. Buying quality equipment is a no brainer- it will cost less in the long run, adds Dustin Strever.

B SERIES

C SERIES

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Equipment is designed “tough” from the ground up! Ultra Heavy Duty Concrete Pumps with high quality components and easy to replace wear items.

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May 2015

Agents for Southern Africa

South Africa

SOIL REHABILITATION MEASURES

G e n u i n e competition

is good for the

consumer Imitators

NOT

TERRA FORCE

Find your nearest supplier www.terraforce.com

Tel: 021 465 1907 38

Time for urgent action The world has to act soon enough to arrest the effects of soil erosion on food security and shelter,Holger Rust, founder and CEO of Terraforce, tells Construction Review.

he magnitude of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s indifference to soil erosion, which is mostly caused by bad farming practices and, in recent years, explosive urban development, has been adequately publicised. Regrettably, only a few individuals and organisations are willing to go the distance by adopting long-lasting measures. But, as the world procrastinates, the situation is only getting worse. And this prompted Holger Rust, founder and CEO of Terraforce, one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest suppliers of retaining wall concrete to various industries, to conduct an in-depth research on soil erosion trends. In conclusion, he found that sufficient research has been done by others to show that surface water runoff in urban areas is Âą 4 times higher than in rural areas of similar geographical composition. In addition, what Rust has observed is that impermeable buildings, roadways, parking areas and even storm-water drains may cover Âą 20% of the total area. This situation results in reduced infiltration, increased runoff velocity and erosion, he explains. Bold intervention It is ghastly to contemplate what could happen in the coming years if there is no bold intervention is taken. Frits van Outdshoorn articulately captures this uncertainty in his article, Guide to Grasses of South Africa. He wonders: â&#x20AC;&#x153;What would happen if millions of tons of topsoil are lost through accelerated soil erosion, impoverishing the soil resource to such an extent that food production became virtually impossible?â&#x20AC;?

Some stabilisation measures work well, depending

However,

dealing

various

site

with

conditions. pure

clay

embankments, sun facing, hot slopes or slopes that are subject to strong wind can be a big challenge. Hence, to tackle the challenge effectively, says Rust, one has to examine the situation and find an appropriate solution. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Firstly, embankments that are steeper than 1 in 1 can effectively be stabilised/ retained with interlocking hollow concrete retaining blocks that are plant supportive and easy to maintain. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On the other hand, embankments with an inclination of between 1 in 1 and 1 in 2 can be stabilised with concrete erosion control/ retaining blocks that will not rot or degrade, unlike more cost effective, soft finishes,â&#x20AC;? he says. More to the point, permeable pavements and the temporary storage of run-off water in detention (attenuation ponds) in the upper reaches of the system need to be installed as standard procedure. Calling for urgent action, Rust says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ideally this (interventions) should take place before man-made disasters strike and not after. Ultimately, less (of us) is more, and will be the only solution that can be implemented without triggering hardship and a depressed economy.â&#x20AC;? For more information, refer to CONCRETE SOLUTIONS FOR EROSION CONTROL PROBLEMS on the Terraforceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website:www.terraforce.com/ downloads. May 2015

THE FUTURE IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE. ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BETTER! When Franki Africa was bought by the Keller Group the geotechnical universe changed forever in Southern Africa. Our capability and range of specialist solutions is now greater than ever before. ISO 9001 ISO 14001 OHSAS 18001

Q U A L I T Y I S O U R F O U N D AT I O N

Tel: +27 (0)11 531 2700

www.franki.co.za

COMPANY

AFRICA

Solutions include: Piled Foundations; Rigid Inclusions; Jet Grouting; Lateral Support; Underpinning; Deep Soil Mixing; Soil Improvement; In-situ Replacement; Pipe and Culvert Jacking; Environmental Remediation; Marine Foundations and Structures; Geotechnical Investigations; Geotechnical Advice & Design and more.

PROFILE

Arch. Ladipo Lewis established Azdec A.S.C Design Consultants, an architectural practice, based in Lagos, Nigeria in 1998.

Nigeria Ghana

AZDEC A.S.C

zdec A.S.C Design Consultants is an architectural practice, based in Lagos, Nigeria. The firm was established in 1998 by Arc Ladipo Lewis and

was initially incorporated as an architectural delineation outfit in 1991 executing projects for Architectural firms like Shelterach Associates-Nigeria Security Printing and Mint Factory Abuja, Inchscape Architects and Urban Shelters Ltd. Over the years the firm has been involved in the real estate development/financial viability analysis, design,

supervision and contract administration of different types of buildings, from educational, industrial, hospitality and residential through to commercial, using the latest computer aided design technology incorporating projects that make the firm multi-disciplinary. Azdec A.S.C specialty is evident in the design of office buildings for example the Kanti Towers which is a 15 storey office block in Victoria Island, Nigeria and Oluwole Urban Mall a traditional retail outlet in central Lagos Island. In the past 24 years of its existence the firm has setup a joint-venture association with 4 firms namely; Livingstone Consultants, Leecon Associates, Rabiu Mid Associates and Poolad Consults. Vision The firm aims to be a trail blazer as an architectural firm specializing in the design of real estate development projects, promoting projects with diverse vested interests

May 2015

Nigeria Ghana as consultants, promoters, joint venture partners or developers, being fully aware of the need to envision, create and develop the conditions in which projects can be financed, designed, created and give a substantial return on investment. The firm’s commitment is to identify customer’s needs and draw on appropriate plans of action, whilst monitoring developments in the residential and commercial environments as part of a strategy of design development and project execution. “We believe that our success would stem from the creativity that adversity inspires, a creative spirit that would lead us to establish new and significant ideas and objectives”. Says Arc Ladipo Lewis. Professional Development Azdec is constantly devoting resources by taking part in training, seminars and conferences both internationally and locally, a few among so many of these include May 2015

the World Architectural congress at Cityscape Dubai, International Parking Institute conference USA, Green Build conference in Singapore, and many others. “As a major part of our professional development, we have invested immensely in a library containing resource books, magazines, catalogues, videos and other materials, in a quest to always seek for new technology, software and hardware. We have invested in various equipment for building analysis such as thermal imaging camera, sound, light and humidity meters, various types of laser scanners, weather analysis equipment and software etc. Their objective is to provide innovative design that is both functional and economic from concept through development to completion in practical and real estate market oriented terms, while keeping pace with new skills, materials, technological developments, unique building and construction contract management techniques. 41

Nigeria Ghana Challenges faced The firm faces the usual general challenges that affect all practices in this part of the world; prevalence of substandard construction material in the market; lack of skilled work men and; experienced contractors with the expertise to build to specification with little supervision, etc. Other peculiar challenges faced include client's resistance to paying full professional fee and other charges according to the standard scale of fees and difficulty in sourcing for finances for viable project and prevailing high bank interest rates. Rigid and non-innovative existing building laws and regulations and slow approval process of building plans are other issues laments Lewis. Projects completed The firm has transcended from hand-drawn designing of projects to the use of CAD and to BIM and now they 42

are promoting projects with diverse vested interests as consultants. The firm has gained vast experience in its 24 years of existence and they have managed to complete profitable real estate financed projects like the Kanti Tower in Nigeria, Oluwole Urban Mall Phase, and more, from design to project completion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the coming 5 years from now, we should be focused on developing multi story high-rise mixed use projects multi-family residential developments such as Terraform Terraces in Anthony Lagos, as architect-developer, using the latest technology, software, BIM and sustainable green architectural principles. We hope to have promoted the use of green roofs and green walls and habitable basements in our projectsâ&#x20AC;?. Concludes Arc Ladipo Lewis. May 2015

ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL INSTALLATIONS

Almog Engineering Limited Nigeria Ghana

Introduction We are pleased to introduce to you Almog Engineering Limited and to present a brief of our activities and proven track record in Nigeria since we commenced operations in the country. Almog Engineering Limited is a company founded and built on a tripod of reliability, quality, and cost effectiveness. These objectives have been amply demonstrated in all our engagements from inception. Almog Engineering Limited specialises in Electrical and Mechanical installations, Renovation works and Facilities management. Over the years and at various locations across the country, we have successfully executed landmark projects which includes High-rise offices and residential buildings, industrial and commercial complexes for public and private clients.

We have also carried out sophisticated Electrical and Mechanical installations in hospitals and reputable Scientific

Research

Institutions

using

modern,

technologically advanced and highly sensitive equipment. We have equally and successfully carried out turnkey renovation works for hotel, banks and several other clients. We rely on the quality of our workforce of 160 personnel, which includes highly trained and experienced Engineers, Project managers, Supervisors, Foremen, Technicians, and best of local Tradesmen to enable us achieve the delivery of various projects satisfactorily and on time. We pride ourselves as employer of choice, as we have been able to keep most of our valued employees satisfied over a long period. We source materials for our projects from the best manufacturer around the world. Local manufacturers of quality materials are equally patronised. In view of our vast experience in procurement of high quality and durable materials from the international and local markets, we consistently update and advise our clients on their choices. It is our hope that this brief introduction will give you a firsthand insight into our organisation, its activities and capabilities.

May 2015

ENGINEERING LIMITED

Reliability Quality Cost Effectiveness

Electrical Mechanical Renovation Works Facilities Management

Almog Engineering Limited 159b, Isale Eko Avenue, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. P.O.Box 53441 Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos. Email:almogeng@gmail.com Tel: 01-7610935, 08033083148

SECURITY

Primary access automation and security systems

Nigeria Ghana

t’s everyone’s favourite cautionary tale about the importance of being prepared, it’s the fable of the Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf. As we all know, one pig was adequately prepared for the possibility of the wolf attacking and the other two were simply not. It goes a long way to say that having a gate, a padlock and even security guards just won’t do. The third pig went the extra mile to fortify his perimeter, taking preventative measures to ensure that even in the event of an attack, he wouldn’t be caught off-guard. The question then is – How prepared are you? Have you considered upgrading your security? It goes without saying that ensuring the safety and security of those close to you takes priority over everything else. If these thoughts have crossed your mind, then Centurion Systems offers the ideal solution for your security needs. Centurion Systems (Pty) Ltd is a South African manufacturer of access automation equipment, and offers a diverse and award-winning range of incredibly feature-rich products for keeping wolves – both literal and figurative – at bay. The fact that CENTURION’s gate operators and traffic barriers are designed and manufactured in Africa means that they are more than capable of withstanding the harsh African conditions and have a proven track record of 28 years providing reliable automation to homes and businesses throughout the continent. The company exports to the whole of Africa, and is able to offer unconditional sales- and after-sales support through its local branch located in Ikoyi, Lagos. CENTURION’s range includes, but is in no way limited to, the following primary access automation and security systems: 46

Gate motors CENTURION manufactures gate motors for both swing and sliding gates, with operators available for domestic, light-industrial and full industrial applications. The vast majority of CENTURION’s gate motors feature dependable battery backup and will continue working even during lengthy power outages. Traffic barriers and accessories CENTURION’s traffic barriers are designed to handle very heavy traffic, and can happily perform up to 3000 operations every single day, even during power failures. Roadway spikes and pedestrian barrier fences can also be added for fully comprehensive access control systems. Keypad Access Control CENTURION offers both hard-wired and wireless variants of their immensely popular SMARTGUARD access control keypad. Proximity Access Control CENTURION is the manufacturer of the SOLO and Lattice proximity access control systems. Options are available for both standalone and larger networked applications, and the Lattice system also offers easy user administration via a user-friendly software interface. These readers boast an excellent read range and easy adding and deleting of user tags. For the full range, please visit www. CenturionWestAfrica.com, or contact Centurion Systems West Africa on +234 1 463 3115,+2348122219202. 196A ISALE EKO AVENUE DOLPHIN ESTATE IKOYI LAGOS for more information. May 2015

PROFILE

Ghana

Orthner Orthner Associates Striving for excellence

By Thunile Nkosi rthner Orthner Associates was first established in Austria in 2000 by Rosemary Orthner and her husband Martin Orthner before being launched

in Ghana in 2006. Why Ghana? It offered the firm an opportunity to acquire experience in the African arena since Ghana is still one of the growing countries in the area of development said Martin. The practice strives for

Rosemary and Martin

excellence but as Martin adds “Good architecture can only be achieved with highly responsible and committed clients.” Over the years the firm has designed and created buildings which have been recognized and appreciated by the public and received rave reviews from the media. An example of this is the World Bank/ IFC head office with Co-Arc International which was completed in 2013 in Accra. With the huge potential that is to be found in Ghana, OOA have gained a reputation for organization, attention to detail and a well-structured approach to projects, making them the practice of choice for international partnerships. They have partnered with a number of international firms like OSMOND LANGE, ARUP, ZGF and HOK, with clients as diverse as the WORLD BANK, ORACLE and the IMF, and have been involved with some of Accra’s most distinctive landmark buildings in recent years, such as the Labadi Beach Hotel, also in cooperation with CoArc International. May 2015

Ghana Philosophy OOAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s design approach stems from a passionate desire to integrate the multiple social, cultural and environmental conditions that exist in Ghana with internationally recognized standards of design and execution, creating a sustainable design for all types of architectural projects from the private to the public. Particular care is given to the economical and efficient use of materials and resources, low energy and water consumption, water treatment systems, consideration of climatic conditions and the use of passive heating, shading and cooling techniques, natural ventilation and the use of solar energy. These are all integral parts of the efforts to meet the highest international standards of sustainable design, explained Rosemary. Time recognition, quality and cost are paramount to OOA clients and therefore it is of paramount importance to the firm. Close collaboration, ease of communication and good management skills are key factors that have driven the firm to successfully complete projects and partnerships. Professional Developments Registered with the Ghana Institute of Architects, OOA provides a wide range of professional services to local and international clients. A fluid, dynamic, two way exchange of ideas and experiences is a major feature of their working May 2015

environment as consulting architects and they are always keen and constantly on the lookout for ways to improve their services, both to their clients and the international firms whom they work with. Says Rosemary. The use of in-house expertise for the firm covers the full spectrum of architectural services, from initial design concept through to planning, project management, environmental consulting and transactions advice. Challenges The false assumption that highest quality can be achieved while compromising on specifications of materials and detailing of all building elements only leads to energy and resource wastage along with developments having high life cycle and maintenance costs. Clients are especially not aware of the importance of thermal comfort in buildings and the prevention of long term defects, as a key factor to a responsible development especially in Ghanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hot tropical climate. Other significant, but unfortunately mostly neglected topics are disability friendly infrastructure and contribution to the overall urban design of the City of Accra. Buildings are commonly hidden behind boundary walls, even public institutions are secured with fences and gates creating anonymous, singular structures and not making use of the potential to develop and reshape the city towards a greener 49

and better environment for the whole population, laments Martin.

Ghana

Project Completed With only 9 years in the industry, OOA has completed almost 100 projects in Ghana and other international countries and confidently OOA still looks towards a very optimistic future. Projects completed in Austria include the Hatvagner, Neureiter and Franz Houses and in Ghana the Red Bull Soccer Academy, Residences for the Embassy of Switzerland and the refurbishment of the RMS Swiss School. “We think in the near future the architectural landscape will change significantly. There is still a huge demand for affordable hotel rooms, office space and residential developments, but only well designed and executed ones

will be successful. Projects we have realized recently with our partners like the World Bank/IFC headquarters, or the extension and revamp of the prestigious 5 Star Labadi Beach Hotel raised the standards of office and hotel developments to a different level. Our residential projects like the Samartex Apartments, a timber frame 4 storey construction with a modern open timber batten façade and shading elements, parquet floors and origami wooden stairs, as a showcase of the high quality Ghanaian timber and workmanship, or the Legon City Lofts will be one of the first real sustainable developments in Accra with emphasize on low energy standards and local building materials, topics which will never fail and always secure a prosperous future”. Concluded Arc Martin and Rosemary Orthner.

Services 1. Retail of interior solution Products 2. Acoustic Ceilings and Drywall Partition Systems 3. Make-Over Specialist 4. Roofing and Rain water systems 5. Reality Homes 6. Props & Scaffold Systems

Inocon Ghana Limited P.O.Box DS 281, Dansoman, Accra,Ghana L:32 off Manet Court, Spintex Road, Ghana 50

www.inocongroupltd.com E: info@inocongroupltd.com T: +233-(0)30-2816-046 May 2015

VOID FORMERS AND PILE CASINGS Development The Superlite Void Former has been developed to provide the South African construction industry with a low cost, lightweight and robust cell former. They are designed to meet the stringent performance requirements imposed by local design and on-site conditions. They are spirally locked, seamed and swaged for maximum strength and resist the full hydrostatic pressure of concrete and all loads associated with the compaction or vibration of concrete during placing. Product Characteristics Superlite cell formers are available in uncoated or galvanised mild steel. Standard material thicknesses are 0,6; 0,8; 1,0 and 1,2 mm but other thicknesses can be catered for if the need arises. The standard maximum length of the cell former is 6 m, but special longer lengths are available on request. Where extra long lengths are required, the cell formers may be supplied in split lengths and fitted with a system of spigot and socket joining collars to enable the contractor to achieve any length that may be required. Stop ends can be provided if required to prevent the ingress of concrete, if the cell is to be used as a void former. Timber braces can be provided to minimise the risk of distortion during transport action especially where long distances are involved.

Table 1 Standard Diameters and Masses Diameter Internal

0,60 Mass

0,80 Mass

1,00 Mass

1,20 Mass

220

4.17

5.55

6.95

8.34

245

4.64

6.19

7.74

9.29

270

5.12

6.82

8.52

10.23

300

5.69

7.57

9.47

11.37

313

5.93

7.91

9.88

11.86

325

6.16

8.20

10.26

12.32

330

6.25

8.34

10.42

12.50

355

6.73

8.97

11.21

13.45

378

7.16

9.54

11.93

14.33

406

7.69

10.25

12.82

15.38

420

7.96

10.60

13.26

15.92

450

8.52

11.37

14.21

17.05

480

9.09

12.12

15.16

18.19

500

9.48

12.62

15.79

18.95

508

9.62

12.83

16.04

19.25

550

10.42

13.89

17.37

20.84

560

10.59

14.12

17.65

21.18

600

11.37

15.16

18.94

22.73

610

11.56

15.41

19.26

23.11

635

12.03

16.04

20.05

24.06

660

12.50

16.67

20.84

25.01

685

12.98

17.30

21.63

25.95

711

13.47

17.96

22.45

26.94

750

14.21

18.94

23.68

28.42

812

20.51

25.64

30.76

864

21.82

27.28

32.74

915

23.11

28.89

34.67 36.56

965

24.37

30.47

1000

25.26

31.57

37.89

1016

25.66

32.08

38.49

1066

26.93

33.66

40.39

1118

35.30

42.36

1219

38.49

1320

46.19 50.01

Note: All void cells below the orange line in the various material thicknesses must have timber cross braces.

Address. 131 Anvil Road, Isando, South Africa Tel. +27 11 974 8511 | Fax. +27 11 974 8510 E-mail. areddy@armco.co.za | mail@armco.co.za Web. www.armco.co.za

HEADER PROFILE

Lexis International Limited Banking on Cutting Edge Services for Growth Kenya

The construction industry in Kenya is said to be one of the fastest growing on the African continent. In order to tap this growth and satisfy demand for building construction services, many investors have entered the industry as consultants, contractors, developers and other players. Among these is Lexis International Limited, a company based in Nairobi. exis International Limited is part of the Laxmi Group, a conglomerate of companies providing civil engineering and building construction services in Kenya. The

workers of whom 3 are civil engineers, 5 quantity surveyors, 2

group comprises Lexis International Limited (general building

In addition, Lexis International has a casual workforce of over

and construction services), Gokul Builders Limited (building

300. This effectively makes the company nearly self-sufficient

and civil engineering contractors), Laxmi Logistics Limited,

in terms of capacity to undertake any project as it does not need

AALOK Enterprises (transportation of building materials) and

to scout for external personnel to provide consultancy work.

Laxmi Holdings Limited (land sales and development).

The company also possesses a wide range of equipment which

The company was created in 2012 and employs 60 permanent project managers and 3 health and safety officers.

Nairobi Office: Off Kolobot Rd, opp. Mr Wok Restaurant P.O. Box 38744-00600, Nairobi. Tel: 0775 813965, 0703 647573 Fax: 020-3744369

Mombasa Office: Machakos Road, P.O. Box 99205-80107, Mombasa Tel: 041-2229298/9, Fax: 041-2229317

Email:info.msa@relconpowersystems.com, services@relconpowersystems.com, info@relconpowersystems.com Website: www.relconpowersystems.com

We are proud to be associated with Lexis International Limited 54

May 2015

HEADER

include graders, excavators, loaders, dumpers, compactors

one of the biggest names in the construction industry

and concrete mixers and a truck.

across East Africa, Lexis International, as part of the

In the few years the company has been in existence,

wider Laxmi Group, undertakes to offer superior services

it has managed to undertake significant projects in

to maintain an edge over other players in the industry.

various parts of Nairobi and the rest of the country. Its

Consequently, huge investments have been made in

clientele consists of private individuals, Government,

human resources and equipment.

non-Governmental organizations and private companies.

“We are proud to deliver projects that shape our

Among the projects accomplished so far are 180 no. 1,

communities and strengthen our nation's infrastructure”,

2 and 3 bed-room apartments in the Mowlem area of

says the company spokesman. Recognizing that each

Eastlands, 180 no. apartments on Moru Ridge in Kiambu

client has different service delivery requirements, Laxmi

(Migaa Estate) and 14 no. townhouses in the up market

International draws on best marketplace practices to

Kitisuru neighbourhood. The company has also undertaken

develop new building and maintenance solutions that are

boundary walling of the upcoming mega lifestyle project

specifically tailored to meet the client’s own operational

– Migaa. It has also constructed a 42-room hotel in Gigiri

and business needs.

and an office block in Kericho (Garden City International).

The values of Quality, Focus on Client, Innovation and

In order to keep growing and attain its goal to become

Passion are especially entrenched at Lexis International

Kenya

Migaa

The Making of Apex Steel

Apex Steel Ltd was established in 1971 as a trading company

pex Steel Ltd is one of Kenya’s largest integrated building and engineering material suppliers. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the company conducts business

with an aim to supply the construction and engineering industry

throughout the East and Central African regions. Engaged in the

beginnings in Mombasa, we then moved our head office to Nairobi

manufacturing of steel, and trading in a wide range of building

in 1992. We have from there grown strength to strength in our

materials, engineering steel, and general hardware, we are able to

trading division, adding an additional two outlets in the Nairobi

provide the engineering company, the construction company, the

area in 1998 and in 2005, both thriving by diversifying our range

hardware shop or the home builder with a complete solution for all

of products (and by upgrading our systems) to better serve our

their building and home improvement needs. Our focus as a group

customers. In 2004, Apex Steel Rolling Mill Division was born,

is to provide quality products through innovation and to deliver

with a primary focus of manufacturing reinforcement bars to the

the best possible project solutions to meet the needs of our clients.

British Standards of GRADE 500.

May 2015

with quality products required in the market. With our humble

HEADER

Mowlem Heights

Kenya

as well as Laxmi Group as a whole. Each employee is individually responsible in ensuring quality standards are met in his or her particular docket. The company understands that all its activities must revolve around keeping its clients satisfied. Therefore, keeping the client happy through quality and dependability are considered essentials in the company. In addition, innovation is inculcated in the employees for posterity since business trends and the general environment are constantly changing. Without innovation, any company risks lagging behind or dying altogether. Employees are also urged to develop a passion and enthusiasm for their work. To achieve this, the company maintains an environment and structure that encourages productivity and respect for customers and fellow employees. Looking ahead, there is little doubt that Lexis International Limited is destined for bigger things and is one of the construction companies to watch.

May 2015

HEADER

For all your mechanical and electrical engineering solutions! CONTACTS: MS ELEVATORS ENGINEERING SDN. BHD

Tel: +6042294300, Fax: +6042274533 Email: intlsales@mashiba.com.my Website: www.mashiba.com.my MALAYSIA

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Elevators

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Effective, Efficient, ReliableInstallation and Maintanance Services

Web: www.elevatorgeneralservicesltd.com Email: info@elevatorgeneralservicesltd.com; egselevator@gmail.com Tel: 0707 831 347/0774 149 143/ 0736 433 425/ 0724 862 735/ 0712 593 823/ 0717 154 484/ 0770 385 729/ 020 3523882

16-17 June 2015 Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, Nigeria www.westafricasummit.com

Discussing the Future of Power Generation, Transmission & Distribution in West Africa The energy sector in West Africa has improved noticeably in recent years

The West Africa Power 2015 Summit, taking place on 16th-17th June 2015, in

and has gained a new political urgency with economic expansion in the

Lagos, Nigeria, will gather West African Governments, Regulators, Utilities

region. Some of the much needed capacity expansion, a priority for the 15

and leading Energy Service Companies to create an exclusive platform for

countries in the West African Power Pool (WAPP), is already underway and

debates and discussions on strategic issues which will attract and accelerate

more is planned.

foreign investments in the power sector across West Africa.

EXCLUSIVE PRESENTATION FROM HON. MINISTER CHINEDU O. NEBO FEDERAL MINISTRY OF POWER, NIGERIA

2 DAYS Endorsed by:

PRESENTATIONS

WORKSHOP

100+ DELEGATES GOVERNMENTS REGULATORS UTILITIES

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Organised by: For more information: E: info@irn-international.com T: +44 207 111 1615 W: www.irn-international.com

May 2015

Kenya

Moving Walks

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

Ace Events.................................................2

Inocon Ghana Ltd....................................48

Almog Engineering Ltd...........................43

Mechoshade Systems...............................49

Alusani ...................................................27

Mokete slabs..................................... IFC, 1

Apex Steel..................................................3

NIC Bank.................................................51

Armco......................................................50

RCR Flooring products............................18

Athi Steel.............................................. IBC

Relcon Power Systems Ltd......................52

Boomgate Systems (Pty) Ltd...................31

Shotcrete Africa.......................................35

Centurion Systems...................................45

Sika..........................................................21

Concrete Laser Flooring..........................29

Terraforce.................................................36

Conmix.....................................................20

Tononoka Group......................................54

Dawn Sanitary......................................OBC

Totally Concrete.......................................17

Elevator General......................................55

Verni........................................................23

Franki Africa............................................37

Vital Engineering.....................................25

Global Roofing Solutions........................13

Weiler.......................................................17

GRCM......................................................30

West Africa Power Summit.....................55

Ideal Manufacturers.................................54

Q-Railing..................................................41

To advertise with us: Send Email to info@groupafricapublishing.com or contact your nearest agency for more information.

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Mining Brief

EXCELLENCE IN FABRICATING INNOVATIVE STEEL SOLUTIONS

July - August 2014, Volume 8 No. 4

African Mining Brief

Working with honesty, accountability and care, our collective team is committed to fabricating innovative steel solutions to meet your specific needs. Genrec’s capabilities include:

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Genrec Engineering specialises in the manufacture of structures and equipment in diversified markets such as: • Power Generation • Mining • Petrochemical • Mineral Beneficiation • Infrastructure, Oil and Gas, and Industrial

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At Genrec Engineering, our team is happy to discuss the value we can add to your projects with our resources, be that a single capability or the entire project offering.

Website: www.vaalsan.co.za Website: www.librabath.co.za Website: www.plexicor.co.za

Vol 8 No. 4

• Total Project Management • Steel Detailing Solutions • Light, Medium & Heavy Structural Fabrication • Heavy Machining • Planning and Programming • Material Logistics • Erection • Site Services

Mali's key gold producer

July - August 2014

At Genrec Engineering, our values deliver your vision. We know that a company’s products are a reflection of the team that creates them. Our people are the underlying force driving the delivery of your vision with embedded values to deliver beyond our customers’ expectations.

High quality, aesthetically pleasing, functional products that set the trend. Vaal, Libra and Plexicor have a product for every taste.

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Genrec Engineering (Pty) Ltd. • Tel: +27 11 876 2300 | Fax: +27 11 827 1722 Cnr Dekema & Niemann Roads, Wadeville, 1428, South Africa E-mail: sales@genreceng.co.za • Web: www.genreceng.co.za

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