INDUSTRY NEWS
The global pandemic has led many of the industry’s top performers to re-strategise their future paths and realign them with the new normal that is slowly emerging from the Covid-19 ashes. As the country goes through the third wave, it is becoming painfully obvious that there will be no return to the old ways anytime soon and that new business models will need to be developed in order to keep the industry and the country afloat in the medium and long term. This is according to Nico Pienaar of surface mining industry association ASPASA, whose members supply the majority of raw materials used in everyday construction and whose businesses have also been severely affected by the pandemic. Minerals mined and worked by its members include sand, stone, limestone for cement, dimension stone, clay, ash and a host of other materials used in construction. Pienaar says the highlights to emerge from the pandemic include:
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CAN EMERGE STRONGER AFTER COVID-19
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The unlocking of several highprofile government infrastructure projects, including large-scale road, rail harbour and other building contracts.
• A renewed focus on training and access in a host of training courses on digital platforms. •
A strong upsurge in the use of technology and social media to communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
• More professional dealings between parties involved
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SOUTH AFRICAN BUILDER SEPTEMBER 2021
