Bitumen World Has New Offices in Highlands

Extension with Spectacular Squash Court

Has New Offices In Highlands

AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR BITUMEN WORLD TOOK OCCUPATION OF NEW OFFICES ON PEVENSEY ROAD IN HIGHLANDS. THE NEW OFFICES INCLUDE THEIR FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND THEIR SPECIAL PROJECTS DIVISION AS WELL AS A TRAINING ROOM AND A LARGE BOARDROOM FOR THE CEO AND MANAGEMENT MEETINGS.

Previously all these departments were included within Bitumen World’s main premises at 30 George Avenue in Msasa. Bitumen World was initially incorporated in Bulawayo (where they still have offices) in July 2012 and went on to open their Harare branch in September of the same year, so they’re celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. From an initial staff component of just 10 people they now employ between 700 and 1000 people depending on their workload. From a plant base of just 7 pieces of equipment when they first opened they now have over 400 pieces of specialised equipment at their disposal for various projects as needed – enough to tackle and successfully complete any project. In fact, they now offer specialised

gear for hire including JCB, Volvo, CAT, Vibromax and TATA equipment. They include tracked and wheeled excavators, bulldozers, wheeled and tracked loaders, articulated dump trucks, bitumen distributors, motorized chip spreaders plus crushers and screens and self-propelled and towed rollers, telescopic handlers and tractors, welding and surveying equipment. They also operate manufacturing plants for the production of asphalt and the crushing of aggregates. In just 10 years Bitumen World has grown from a small company to become leaders in the Construction Industry. They not only supply bitumen and construct road surfacing, they’re also involved in infrastructural development including road works, concrete works and water and sewer reticulation.

Initially starting out as a blacktop surfacing company, over the last 10 years Bitumen World has grown to become a large civil engineering construction company. From hiring surfacing equipment to the Department of Roads and undertaking many smaller type projects as a subcontractor Bitumen World is now a large, well established Prime Contractor within the Zimbabwean Construction Industry. Just a few of their current and ongoing projects include the Harare, Masvingo, Beitbridge highway (phases 1, 2, 3 and 4), the ZIMRA staff village civil construction works in Beitbridge, Chimanimani Cyclone Idai Restoration works, the Norton road over rail bridge, Chivi – Mandamabwe – Tokwe Road rehabilitation, West Road rehabilitation in Avondale and part of Harare Drive from Drew Road to Borrowdale Road, as well as emergency road repairs in Bulawayo and Gweru. In addition, they now manufacture hot and cold mix asphalt, specified graded aggregates and pre-cast concrete units like culverts, kerbs and pavers.

Having outgrown their Msasa premises they’ve relocated some of their offices to a new property in Pevensey Road in Highlands, although they still have a lot of office staff continuing to operate from Msasa. The new place is much quieter and much more comfortable and has a tranquil garden space for employees and visitors to relax in. They have a lot of visitors and clients in and out of the new offices which are more convenient and comfortable.

They moved in January this year so they’re still getting accustomed to the new additional space and the garden.

The new premises include offices for their administrative staff, the Finance Department, the CEO’s office and the Special Projects Department. There are a total of 11 offices, a training room, a board room, the reception area, ablutions and a small kitchenette for staff teas and lunches. The CEO’s office has a veranda with access to the garden and there are other outside spaces for meetings or just for relaxing and de-stressing. Pleasure in Palms has done some of the landscaping while Golden Stairs Nursery supplied most of the outdoor furniture – however the garden is pretty low maintenance and just needs a weekly clean-up and a bit of water. Outside in the garden are three offices, which appear to be an add-on or extension, which accommodates the Special Projects Division. There’s also a structure for the security guards at the gate as well as covered parking for staff and visitors. The covered parking was supplied by Shades Ahead.

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The premises are owned by Trevack Construction who have developed the older existing house into modern, upmarket office space. New aluminium windows and doors have been installed to upgrade and modernise the place. The exterior has been painted in a pale beige which contrasts with the light, off white Chromadek roof, and the windows have grey coloured frames or casings around them. Interior and exterior paint was supplied by Artisan. Gutters and downpipes are a fresh, crisp white colour which makes the structure look modern and contemporary. New pale grey ceramic tiles for the floors have been fitted throughout helping to co-ordinate and link the interior spaces. Recessed down lighters in the ceilings add a modern minimalist feel. A lot of the furniture for the boardroom, reception and waiting areas was sourced from Only Italian with venetian blinds sourced from Tropicool.

There’s ample parking space outside with paving from Beta Bricks and carports from Shades Ahead. The premises generally function as in-house offices so parking is mostly for staff although there is also space for visitors coming in for business purposes. Signage for the reception and for the quirky fire boxes was supplied by The Banner Man (TBM Group). The new offices are a welcome respite for the staff who now have a much better working environment with connection to the verandas and the garden.