SA Affordable Housing July 2013 | Issue: 39

Infrastructure & Development July 2013 // Issue: 39

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JULY 2013

Issue: 39

Trademax Publications

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SA Affordable Housing Infrastructure & Development Tel: 0861 727 663 Cell: 082 266 6976 Fax: 0866 991 346 www.trademax.co.za P.O. Box 37053 Chempet 7442 Publisher: Billy Perrin billy@trademax.co.za 0861 727 663 Editor: Jennifer Rees editor@trademax.co.za

CONTENTS

0861 727 663 Advertising: Gail Cupido gail@trademax.co.za

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EDITOR’S COMMENT

0861 727 663

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Property Development

Layout & design:

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cement & CONCRETE

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cover story

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news

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news

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Industry insight

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Finance

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news

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cement & CONCRETE

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ABTs

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events

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cement & CONCRETE

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News

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Windows & Doors

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news

Craig Patterson craig@trademax.co.za SUBSCRIPTIONS & DATA: Celeste Perrin celeste@trademax.co.za 0861 727 663

DISCLAIMER The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of Trademax Publications. Although we have done our best to ensure the accuracy of our content, neither Trademax Publications nor SA Affordable Housing magazine will be held liable for any views expressed or information disseminated in this issue.

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ed’s note

Being mindful Welcome to the July issue of the SA Affordable Housing magazine.

O

n our cover this month is Caliber Property Development Managers, who after having started as a service provider to the property development industry have since extended their range of expertise into this industry, with a strong focus on affordable housing development. In line with the view of the SA Affordable Housing magazine, the company is a proponent of the view that “all South Africans should be empowered to live in a secure and dignified environment.” Read more about Caliber’s many property development successes on page 10.

We also take a look at some industry insight from George Marais, an industry analyst from Coface, who offers perspective on the variables impacting the growth of the construction industry. Although construction industry confidence has been retained over the last year, “sentiment is still predominantly negative as the majority of SME contractors have yet to benefit from increased government spending on infrastructure development.”

Uncertainty around the tangible advantages of these initiatives seems to stem from the perception that “government payments for work rendered remain slow.”

Read more about this on page 18.

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We also share some insight from GIBB, who maintain that in the light of the boosted investment in infrastructure brought about by the South African National Development Plan and its proposed development of underdeveloped areas, “long term sustainability needs to be relative to progress, and the more we build or mine, the more mindful we need to be of our environmental and social impact.”

Read more about sustainable infrastructure development on page 14.

Regardless of the challenges we face in our industry, adopting the attitude of being mindful of the impact we all have on our respective landscapes, from finance to handover and beyond, could go a long way in ensuring a successful, sustainable and meaningful affordable housing market that gives and takes in equal measure and offers workable solutions for South Africa’s housing challenges.

Enjoy the read!

Jen PS: If you have any comments or suggestions, would like to share anything with us, please email me at editor@trademax.co.za.

Property Development

Halfway mark on Happy Valley Phase 2 low-cost housing The long wait for housing is finally over for more than a thousand shack dwellers who are now proud home owners as the Happy Valley Phase 2 Housing Project gathers speed in Cape Town.

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Property Development

Breaking New Ground (BNG) is an initiative for the roll out of low-cost housing in South Africa and the Happy Valley project is an example of such a top structure with additional enhancements, such as a longer roof overhang and a small stoep at the front door, that aim to improve the aesthetics and insulation of the units, at no extra cost to the beneficiary.

The R200 million injection into the project is a joint collaboration between the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Provincial Government.

The project is a sterling example of the successful implementation of the Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme (UISP), which supports the conversion of an informal area into a formal serviced township. The land on which these houses were built was previously home to approximately 1300 informal structures.

The project funding was approved by provincial government in January 2006 and the planning component started in 2007 with design initiated early in 2008. GIBB was appointed as the project management team in March 2011 and subsequently, for the site monitoring and contract administration component.

According to GIBB’s General Manager: Integrated Infrastructure, Sean Molloy, the project illustrates GIBB’s expertise in finding integrated solutions for the infrastructural needs of South Africa.

“GIBB has once again demonstrated our solid relationships with local government and we look forward to the project’s completion in October this year when everyone on the beneficiary list will be living in their new homes,” he said.

S

ince its inception in November 2011, 716 units have been completed and handed over to beneficiaries.

Leading South African consulting engineering company, GIBB has been at the forefront of the project in providing a turnkey solution for the implementation of this much-needed, low-cost housing project in the informal settlement area. This approach ensured that the top structures could be constructed as soon as possible. The project aims to build up to 1 452 formal houses by October 2013 for the identified beneficiaries.

Molloy added that there were many challenging issues that came with the project.

“Finding common ground with different stakeholders means negotiation and rational conclusions, but together we have managed to exceed expectations and meet critical deadlines.

With the co-operation of the community and other role players, we are confident that we will make this project a success for the people of Happy Valley,” he said.

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cement & concrete

cement & concrete

Sephaku Cement Aganang plant build forges ahead Construction of the Sephaku Cement Aganang plant, a Greenfields project through which a high-tech integrated clinker and cement production plant is being established in the North West Province of South Africa, is forging ahead.

cement & concrete

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o date, the majority of the large civil structures are complete and the remaining civil work is progressing well, reports Heinrich de Beer, Engineering Project Manager at Sephaku Cement.

Aganang, which will be a state-of-the-art producer of 6 000 tons of clinker per day and 1.2 million tons of cement per annum is proof of the magnitude of operational establishment that is possible. With storage volumes of 50 000 tons, its clinker silo will be one of the largest single clinker storage bunkers in South Africa and its kiln, the biggest single kiln in the country.

At least 100 000m3 of concrete and 14 600 tons of structural steel comprise the build. To date some 70 000 mÂł of concrete has been placed on site, said de Beer. The plant will also have raw meal silo storage capacity to accommodate 20 000 tons, along with preblended stockpiles that extend the length and breadth of four rugby fields. Its cement silos will have the capacity to store 22 000 tons of finished cement product.

He explained that as at the end of April 2013, the limestone crusher building, the last of the large concrete structures to be constructed is far advanced and progressing as required. “The structural steel erection work is continuing in all areas. The space frame structures over the three raw material stockpile areas are well advanced with the limestone storage area structure already sheeted.�

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cement & concrete

Assembly of the raw mill, coal mill, and clinker mill bag houses onto the concrete superstructures is on track.

November 2012 saw a major milestone reached as seven individual elements or sections that have been welded together to form the approximately 74m long kiln arrived on site. Imported from China, this extra abnormal load was transported by road from Richards Bay, a journey that took 12 days. Leith reports that great progress is being made with the kiln installation, noting that the kiln shell is in place and is being welded together.

“Since January 2013, rapid progress has been made on the RMPS (Raw Material Proportioning Station), the CPS (Cement Proportioning Station), the pre-heater structure, the grate cooler area, the kiln area, the cement packing plant area, the limestone crushing area, the clinker silo roof structure and the plant wide conveyor gantry structures,” highlighted de Beer.

“Mechanical equipment assembly work has started with solid progress being made on the stacker and reclaimer machines located in the limestone, gypsum, additives and coal storage areas. Electrical cable racking installation has also begun throughout the plant with exceptional progress being made in the RMPS, CPS, the pre-heater/kiln area, as well as inside the many conveyor gantries already erected,” concluded de Beer.

In addition, the pre assembly and erection of the coal mill, the raw mill and the clinker mill have started. The raw mill erection is well advanced with the main drive gearbox (95 tons), the hydraulic cylinders and mill roller rocker arms already installed.

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cover story

The Caliber story

Adding value through the creation of space Starting out as a service provider to the property development industry, Caliber delivered services such as project management, construction cost management and turnkey development facilitation. The owners/partners of Caliber realised that with their vast knowledge of the industry and their network of industry specialists, they could apply this knowledge, not only on behalf of their clients as consultants, but also for their own developments.

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ence, the Caliber motto, ‘Adding value through the creation of space.’ This was the inception of Caliber’s development arm that focuses on housing in general, but recently, more specifically on the affordable housing market.

In the past Caliber had also developed security estates in the high-end segment. However, in recent years they focused primarily on the affordable housing market and developed numerous complexes.

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These complexes inlclude Castello in Randburg, Amble View and Theresa Park Estate in Pretoria North, The Waldorf and Grand Central Apartments in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.

By having gained invaluable experience in both affordable and high-end markets, Caliber is poised to create value for owners in both market segments.

cover story

In partnership with Present Perfect, Caliber recently acquired a property in Daggafontein, Springs. The property is located next to the older Daggafontein Ext 1, quiet suburbs and Nuffield industrial area. The development plan is to develop small affordable residential units for the rental market. The property is also adjacent to a Metrorail Station. This was seen as a positive attribute, because of the ever-increasing expense of commuting to the workplace. With Metrorail as the major transporter, tenants in Caliber’s new Sondela Village can easily work in the Springs CBD or in the Johannesburg CBD. The Nuffield industrial area is within walking distance of Sondela Village, which also potentially saves tenants commuting costs. Because of the development’s good position and the accessibility of the Metro station, all amenities are close by, easy and affordable to access.

Sondela Village is in the construction phase, with the first units to be completed in October of this year. The total number of units is 725 and the first phase consists of 246, presently under construction. The rental prices will range from R2 800 to R3 100 per unit per month for a one-bed or a two-bed unit. The complex is secure with a guarded gatehouse and electric fencing around the perimeter. Each unit will have an allocated shaded parking bay and security will have scanners at the entrance to ensure safe living.

Caliber also owns townhouses and apartments, an experience which has proven that management and maintenance are two very important factors in successful developments. This is why they plan their units with a long-term vision in mind.

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cover story

Projects in Caliber’s planning phase are The Gayles in Evander, Casa Salice in The Wilgers, Pretoria, Hoewe 284 in Centurion and Theresa Park Estate Phase 4 in Pretoria North.

The Gayles in Evander is a very exciting project, consisting of cluster units and apartments. This development is designed for potential buyers in Evander and Secunda and will offer units ranging from R400 000 to R800 000. The clusters are two- and three-bed units starting from R560 000 and R650 000 respectively. Every unit will have its own stand, Hollywood carport and grassed garden.

Evander is a beautiful country town, 6 km from Secunda and all its amenities. Caliber has commenced with marketing and sales are progressing well.

Caliber also develops offices and is currently completing the Crossway Office Park in Lyttelton, Centurion. The Park consists of three blocks with a total bulk area of 8500m².

The last block will be ready for occupation in October 2013.

As a landowner of property with development potential, Caliber avails its expertise in optimizing land development opportunities by forming ad hoc partnerships and delivering turnkey developments.

At Caliber, we believe that South Africa offers many opportunities. The property industry will be one of the vibrant industries that will take the country forward with job-, as well as wealth-creation. Underpinned by South Africa’s Constitution and Human Rights Policies, Caliber supports the philosophy that all South Africans should be empowered to live in a secure and dignified environment and aims to be one of the key players contributing to build this great nation.

Please do not hesitate to contact Caliber for specialized development advice on your development opportunity.

Caliber has forged various partnerships in its endeavours to create space. The company’s modus is to create value for partners and investors, which, in turn, creates value for the company. Caliber continuously creates new partnerships with the primary focus of establishing a superior product for a specific market and to create value while doing so.

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For more information, contact: (t) 012 809 2044 (f) 086 513 5093 (e) info@caliber.co.za (w) www.caliber.co.za

how can we help you?

news

Consultants in engineering shape understanding and application of sustainability The South African National Development Plan will see R4 trillion invested in infrastructure over the next 15 years and as a result some of the most underdeveloped parts of the country will, for the first time, enjoy the benefits of essentials like housing, water and electricity.

I

t is in this context that long term sustainability needs to be relative to progress, and the more we build or mine, the more mindful we need to be of our environmental and social impact.

The engineering sector is faced with a particularly interesting dichotomy: On the one hand, especially in developing economies, infrastructure development is vital to encourage and facilitate necessary growth. On the other, we are becoming increasingly aware of environmental considerations and social concerns pertaining to inter alia resource use and long-term development impact.

It is also estimated that approximately $35 billion will be spent on mining, minerals and oil in Africa by 2015. Clearly, we are entering an era of infrastructure boom where the African continent is the ‘land of opportunity.’ Mineral resource investigations and the related need for infrastructure development are driving the re-exploration of our continent and this holds numerous opportunities for development, in terms of both urban upliftment and local economic strengthening.

Within the context of a rapidly growing population and positive GDP outlook in Africa, infrastructure development will pave the way for this renewed exploration, ultimately changing the face of the continent.

However, rapid development must be managed, project by project, to ensure Africa is able to maximise the spin-off effects thereof within the context of sustainable development.

Dr Urishanie Govender.

Karien Erasmus, Sustainability Manager at multidisciplinary consulting engineering company, GIBB said, “Sustainability and sustainable development should not only remain buzzwords. There are ways and means to practically utilise and apply these concepts at a project level.

The proactive application of sustainability in projects relates to defining a set of sustainability parameters and indicators for projects, which could be managed, verified and reported against. GIBB believes that a Project Sustainability Report should be included as part of the final project deliverable, ultimately strengthening the hand of the client in ensuring sustainability and complying with best practice.”

Erasmus added that project sustainability reports are not cumbersome and lengthy reports but rather focused and streamlined checklists and detailed guidelines, speaking directly to project risks and opportunities in terms of achieving sustainability. Such a report will typically comprise of a sustainability assessment and framework which is then populated throughout the project lifecycle and which could ultimately be utilised as a monitoring and evaluation tool.

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Karien Erasmus.

news Importantly, the project sustainability report is an integrated input, in terms of its function within the project context and in terms of multi-discipline inputs contributing to its relevance and validity.

governing work locally and internationally. Practically speaking, consulting companies in engineering are and will be increasingly influenced by the global demand to ensure sustainable development.

Although this is a long-term process, sustainability, as any project criterion, must be evaluated in terms of progress and target achievement. This will ultimately support good project management philosophy.

Development will have to embrace the entire scope of sustainability, from project inception through to implementation and managing/planning for down-stream effects. Utilising and incorporating sustainability is about identifying opportunities within the natural and manmade constraints of Africa and finding beneficial mitigation measures to address these risks.

Richard Vries, Group CEO at GIBB said, “It’s not just about ‘green talk.’ The effective integration of social, economic and environmental components can only happen through the inclusion of sustainability. As the partner of choice in the engineering sector we need to understand and acknowledge our role in terms of the social, environmental and economic impacts of projects. Sustainability cannot be captured in a snapshot; it is a long-term view that needs to be managed to secure project and organisational resilience. We therefore need to highlight the sustainability risks as well as the immense opportunities to clients by applying innovative and applicable technologies, ensuring responsible planning and engineering design and integrating environmental and community needs effectively into project phases and final deliverables.”

The need for project-specific, measurable and defined sustainability inputs is becoming all the more clear in tenders and international best practice guidelines

“As much as we are faced with difficult challenges in balancing economic, environmental and social goals, these challenges also bring new opportunities. Sustainability recognises both inviolable limits and endless opportunities for creative innovation, opening new doors in established and future markets,” said Dr Urishanie Govender, GIBB Environmental Management and Sustainability General Manager.

The need for project specific, measurable and defined sustainability inputs are becoming increasingly important to demonstrate project resilience. Consulting engineering company GIBB, recognises their role to include sustainability criteria into project designs to deliver projects that embrace the principles of sustainable development.

news

New Rugby development

demonstrates Nedbank’s support of SA’s affordable housing vision The 22nd of May saw the official launch of the Rugby development by the City of Cape Town, Nedbank and developer, Inframax. The launch was demonstrated by a sod-turning ceremony attended by a number of stakeholders.

“This initiative forms part of the City’s commitment to building communities, not just houses. We know that in the right environment, with the right opportunities, our residents can thrive,” said Councillor Tandeka Gqada, Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements.

The finance agreement forms part of the bank’s existing long-term relationship with the City of Cape Town following its appointment by the Cape Town administration as a joint venture partner with Inframax Holdings and Shisaka Investments for the development of four Cape Town affordable housing projects to be undertaken on City-owned land.

“This has been a long journey and we are pleased to have reached this pinnacle where, by participating in this tripartite agreement, Nedbank not only demonstrated its commitment to the affordable housing market and the principles of Government’s integrated housing objectives, but more especially to improving the living conditions of South Africans,” said Manie Annandale, Head of Nedbank Corporate Property Finance: Affordable Housing.

In a further alignment between the stakeholders, the environment will be greened with a view to enhancing the living conditions of the development. This is in line with the City of Cape Town’s vision of providing its citizens with lifestyle upliftment opportunities rather than mere houses. As such, Silver Meadows in Rugby is designed to ensure residents enjoy secure living and have easy access to the City’s Integrated Rapid Transport (IRT) routes and all amenities. Furthermore, it speaks to Nedbank’s stated commitment to supporting and enabling integrated social and environmental sustainability.

Silver Meadows is a low-density housing project that will offer 92 one- and two-bedroomed apartments, as well as 23 three-bedroomed semi-detached homes. The units are priced between R425 000 and R708 000.

In conclusion, Annandale stated that in Cape Town alone, Nedbank has signed loan agreements with affordable housing developers with strong track records to the total

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Councillor Bernadette le Roux, City of Cape Town Ward Councillor – Subcouncil 15; Manie Annandale, Head of Nedbank Corporate Property Finance: Affordable Housing; Councillor Tandeka Gqada, City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements; and Councillor James Slabbert, City of Cape Town Human Settlements Portfolio Chair.

value of more than R500 million – set to yield some 5 500 housing opportunities for Capetonians in the coming months and years, which further illustrates the bank’s commitment to helping address the country’s housing shortage and uplift its people and communities through innovative partnerships.

M&CSAATCHI ABEL 6113/E Nedbank Limited Reg No 1951/000009/06, VAT Reg No 4320116074, 135 Rivonia Road, Sandown, Sandton, 2196, South Africa. We subscribe to the Code of Banking Practice of The Banking Association South Africa and, for unresolved disputes, support resolution through the Ombudsman for Banking Services. We are an authorised financial services provider. We are a registered credit provider in terms of the National Credit Act (NCR Reg No NCRCP16).

When it comes to funding affordable housing developments, we build for the future.

Watergate Estate Development | Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town | Developed by New Age Properties.

At Nedbank Corporate our tailormade funding for new affordable housing developments made us part of a community of affordable housing developers with a solid track record. Our aim is to realise our vision by providing quality affordable housing for as many South Africans as possible.

Contact Manie Annandale | 011 295 6647.

Industry insight

Construction industry’s growth dependent on Government contracts and in-time payments Confidence in the building industry has remained constant over the past few quarters, marginally increasing in the fourth quarter of 2012.

This gives a somewhat hopeful perspective for the industry.

By George Marais, industry analyst, Coface, the international credit insurer.

H

owever, sentiment is still predominantly negative as the majority of SME contractors have yet to benefit from increased government spending on infrastructure development with over one trillion rand planned investment in infrastructure projects over the next eight years. But there is no certainty of the financial benefits of these initiatives, because the perception is that government payments for work rendered remains slow.

This places additional pressure on contractors’ cash flow, resulting in a higher risk of payment defaults, as well as restricting smaller contractors from applying for any further government tenders.

The largest contributors to government’s capital infrastructure expenditure over the recent past have been Eskom and Transnet. Transnet’s multi-product pipeline from Durban to Heidelberg has boosted construction work over the past few years.

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Eskom has spent extensive amounts on the Medupi, Ingula and Kusile power stations. The completion of these two major projects means that the market will be flooded with construction workers looking for work in 2013.

The increased supply of construction workers and a lack of demand for construction projects have resulted in increasing competition between firms, and margins are being squeezed to almost zero. As a result, only larger firms can afford operating at lower margins for longer periods. Another factor is increased input costs.

The industry is more focused on contract labour rather than formal employment. This has resulted in a lack of sustainable job security, translating into a decline in consumer confidence in the industry.

Industry insight

Coface expects costs in the construction sector to continue increasing at an average rate of 7% for 2013 with an estimated final growth for 2012 of 1.7%. Sales of building materials has decreased 10.16% Y-o-Y to its lowest point since 2004.

The department has challenged contractors to be better organised and to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the government. Government is showing commitment in developing contractors and to provide them with opportunities to grow their businesses.

A possible cushion to the over-supply of labour and lack of job creation opportunities could be for government to revise the method of implementing budget hand-outs at municipal level. Recent figures indicate that only 72.5% of the total capital budget was spent in 2012 resulting in R12.8-billion being unutilised.

The delay in rolling out these plans could however be attributed to the nature of administrating and implementing them. This includes the national distribution to municipalities, the municipal tender processes, tiered production payment schemes and subcontractor reimbursements.

The Department of Public Works has urged the construction industry to deal with fraud and corruption due to its negative impact on the industry. The pronouncement has been made in light of the launch of the National Contractor Development Programme (NCDP).

The NCDP is a programme involving a partnership between the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and the National and Provincial Departments of Public Works.

Meanwhile, there is a specified amount of money awarded to municipalities each year according to the infrastructure roll-out programme. If a municipality fails to spend their budget in the allocated period, the funds are returned to the National Treasury and, as the next period’s budget allocation is dependent on the previous spend, that municipality’s budget will be reduced for the next period.

The Department of Public Works has committed to availing resources in order to help develop previously disadvantaged contractors and to align individual contractor development programmes or initiatives with the principles set out in the NCDP framework.

The NCDP is seen as a good response to concerns that were raised by policy makers, contractors and development agencies. It provides leadership on the implementation of contractor development programmes, coordinates implementation and provides a reporting framework for monitoring and evaluation of contractor development programmes. It also provides access to mentorship, financial support, information and access to any other support that would be relevant for contractor development.

It has been noted that slowed performance during the second half of 2012 was influenced by intense competition for contracts and low margins, especially in the roads sector. Shortages of bitumen, a key ingredient in the production of asphalt, have compounded the situation.

Insufficient time and funds were allocated by Government for the maintenance of existing infrastructures in the past.

As a result, the cost of replacing these structures far outweighs the accumulated maintenance costs.

For more information, contact www.cofaceza.com.

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Finance

GPF Entrepreneur Empowerment Property Fund (EEPF)

Empowerment for Property Entrepreneurs The Gauteng Partnership Fund has never taken a narrow view of its mandate; while it was established by the Gauteng Department of Housing to address funding challenges in the affordable housing sector, it is also doing its utmost to nurture a new generation of property entrepreneurs.

D

espite the improvement in the quality of life of many South Africans since democracy, finding a quality, affordable place to live is still a challenge for many in South Africa, especially those caught in the gap of not being poor enough to qualify for government housing, yet not being eligible for bank mortgages either.

For the last eleven years, the Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF) has been addressing this issue by providing funding and assistance to companies involved in the affordable rental property market in order to help speed up the development of these housing projects. The housing backlog in the province has been pegged at about 2.1-million units, which translates into housing for some 12.5-million people. Aligned with the provincial government objective of delivering 20 000 rental residential units by 2014, the GPF aims to facilitate funding for 6 000 of these units by this date.

Incubating Entrepreneurs To empower black property entrepreneurs who have, to date, been held back from entering the market owing to historical disadvantages, a lack of skill and equity, and insufficient cash flow, the GPF launched its Entrepreneur Empowerment Property Fund (EEPF) in July of 2010. This fund is essentially an incubator programme aimed at promoting participation by the previously disadvantaged in the affordable rental property market. “The EEPF is aimed at entry-level black entrepreneurs and companies 100% owned by historically disadvantaged individuals that provide rental or delayed ownership schemes for households with monthly incomes of less than R15 000. Participating companies or entrepreneurs must demonstrate that they have the commitment and potential to grow and successfully complete the project,� explains Vinolia Mashiane, Investment Officer at the GPF. The types of projects funded are typically inner-city refurbishments or predominantly residential buildings, the conversion of offices to residential units, and greenfield developments for affordable housing.

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How the process works is that the GPF funds the total cost of acquisition up to R7.5-million, and co-finances renovations with other financing institutions.

Finance

Funding Milestone

Growth Spurt

In June last year, the GPF achieved a critical milestone with the EEPF by partnering with the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) in a co-funding agreement for the programme. “This agreement gives us greater capacity to assist with project funding, and companies should feel encouraged to apply, be they potential applicants or future co-funders,” says Mashiane.

Since commencement of the EEPF, 20 projects have been approved. Some projects are already under construction, such as the 22-unit residential complex in Kempton Park.

This year alone, the GPF has identified 13 programme participants, bringing the total number to over 40 since inception. There will be three more intakes in the 2013/14 financial year, scheduled for June and September 2013, and February 2014.

Every year, the GPF extends an open invitation for prospective participants to apply. Candidates have to be 100% BEE (black economic empowerment), be a registered legal entity, have a valid tax clearance certificate, and shareholders and the company must have clean credit records.

“These applicants are expected to identify a project and submit a business plan based on the framework available from the GPF website. The plan must outline the potential of the property, the zoning rights, and preliminary costs.

After a rigorous selection process, successful applicants enter into the incubation programme where the GPF, backed by three mentoring companies, then assists with funding and putting together a professional team,” she elaborates.

Worth noting is that potential projects must be in areas identified by municipalities for development, must have good access to amenities (including transport), must contain a minimum of 15 housing units, and must cater to people who earn between R3 500 and R15 000 per month.

Mashiane stresses that the GPF does not give grants, but facilitates loans up to 100% of the project cost. “What makes this programme attractive to prospective entrepreneurs is that funding is cheaper and conditions are a lot more flexible than funding through the private sector. The GPF can provide up to 40% of the funding and the NHFC up to 57%. There is no baseline for personal equity, as this percentage is determined by cash flow and project feasibility,” she explains. “Candidates must also demonstrate commitment to the project, as the process from proposal to breaking ground is lengthy.

Entrepreneurs must also understand that it can take up to five years before they start seeing a return on their investment.”

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“What this programme offers is facilitation of on-the-job skills development of property entrepreneurs who want to succeed, but who are held back by their circumstances.

With our help, participants are guided through the approved project from start to finish, and are expected to be hands-on, involved and team players. Our ultimate aim is for the programme to equip individuals with the skills necessary to apply for future projects under their own steam, without assistance,” says Mashiane.

In particular, it is hoped that the EEPF programme will assist more women to become involved, as there is a misconception that the construction industry is a male industry. “The main aim of this project is to create property developers out of entrepreneurs, not contractors.

Women can do this job. As a property developer, you have a team of professionals as well as a head contractor. You’re not the one mixing cement,” Mashiane concludes.

For more information on the EEPF Programme contact Vinolia Mashiane at vinoliam@gpf.org.za or visit www.gpf.org.za.

news

Window of opportunity Duro, one of the leading manufacturers of steel, aluminium and building products in southern Africa have supplied many hospitals and schools with windows and doors as part of their Government project work in KwaZulu Natal.

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he most prominent developments with which Duro have been involved are the Empangeni Hospital and the Emmaus Hospital in Greytown. The company manufactured special door frames of 1,6mm galvanized steel with non-standard hinges to accommodate the wheeling of beds into wards of both hospitals.

Duro also fitted special door frames with non-standard hinges manufactured to suit overhead door closers and floor springs to the Laverna Hospital in Newcastle.

The company has also supplied steel windows to various early childhood development and high schools all over the KZN region. Umsilinga High School in Pietermaritzburg, which houses over 400 children, was fitted with industrial galvanized windows with burglar bars for extra safety. In northern Natal, two other schools in Qumbu, namely Mkambeni and Lugonqozo, were also installed with industrial galvanized windows and burglar bars.

The advantages of using steel are vast. It requires lower maintenance, it does not crack or bow, it is less expensive, energy efficient and secure, making it one of the most durable and sustainable building materials. One of the major advantages of steel is that it is very strong and flexible, making it ideal for building houses in windy, unfavourable weather areas.

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Comments Brian Hardie, Regional Contracts Sales Manager for Duro, “The majority of our business is currently in the affordable housing sector or catering for people in the 1 – 3 LSM Category, and we therefore pride ourselves on supplying this sector with quality affordable products.

Our slogan is ‘Building with Pride’ and we want that slogan to encompass all that we do.”

For more information contact: (t) 010 590 9060 (e) admin@thedurogroup.com (w) www.thedurogroup.com

cement & concrete

The Concrete Institute’s School of Concrete Technology is offering a wide range of training courses at its Midrand premises.

Busy 2013 training programme for The Concrete Institute The Concrete Institute has a busy training programme planned for the rest of the year.

T

he Institute will present a wide range of concrete technology training courses as outlined in its 2013 Education Programme. “The fact that training by the School of Concrete Technology will be continuing has been enthusiastically welcomed by the construction and building industries. Training in concrete technology is regarded as vital and the construction and building sectors clearly are relieved that we will continue to provide the required authoritative training,” says The Concrete Institute’s MD, Bryan Perrie. “The courses are running at the same premises in Midrand as previously offered by the School of Concrete Technology and are as well supported as usual.”

Perrie provided examples of courses planned for August and September by the Institute’s School of Concrete Technology: Introduction to Concrete (SCT 10) – Midrand on August 1213, and September 30 to October 1. This course is aimed at small, medium and micro enterprises, junior technical and sales staff in the building, construction and allied industries and others wanting a short introduction to concrete.

Making Concrete Bricks and Blocks (SCT 13) – Midrand on August 15. This course will assist empowering learners and guide them on how to make a living out of the manufacture of masonry units.

Mortars, Plasters, Screeds and Masonry (SCT 12) – Midrand on August 14. A course originally developed to assist NHBRC inspectors interpret the requirements of the NHBRC Home Builders’ Manual and written around the manual.

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Concrete Practice (SCT 20) – Midrand on August 5-8 and September 2-5; in Durban from September 9-12, and Port Elizabeth from August 26-29. This popular course is recommended for foremen, clerks-of-work, technicians, supervisors, sales and technical staff. It is also suitable for electrical, mechanical and mining engineers.

Concrete Technology (SCT 30) – Midrand on August 19-23.

Aimed at civil and structural engineers, experienced technicians and technologists, this intensive course provides detailed knowledge of how cement and concrete works.

Concrete Structures: Analysis & Design (SCT 35) – Midrand on August 5-8 and 12-15, and in Cape Town on September 16-20. This course is aimed at practising civil and structural engineers seeking tuition regarding reinforced concrete design according to EN 1992-1-1 Eurocode 2. The first part of the course covers the basic principles of reinforced concrete design and the second, the application of these principles.

Properties of Concrete for the Structural Designer and Constructor (SCT 36) – Midrand on August 30. Engineers with experience or training in concrete technology who wish to refresh their knowledge on important concrete concepts are suitable candidates for this one-day course.

For more information about the courses and a copy of The SCT 2013 Training Programme, contact The Concrete Institute on 011 315 0300.

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Thermally Efficient | Damp Proof | Fire Resistant | Earthquake Resistant | Bulletproof Offers substantial savings compared to a conventional building delivered by a building contractor.

Quick to assemble and complete - www.readykit.co.za CAPE TOWN KHAYA READYKIT (Pty) Ltd MIKE HILL +27 21 510 2233 (OFFICE) +27 82 403 6929 (MOBILE) EMAIL: readykit@mweb.co.za

DURBAN KHAYA READYKIT (Pty) Ltd KRISH THAVER +27 31 563 0524 (OFFICE) +27 73 031 7760 (MOBILE) +27 31 303 6000 (FAX) EMAIL: krishthaver@telkomsa.co.za

ABTs

Khaya Readykit

Innovative building solution After a long and challenging journey a valuable product finally achieves its potential

I

t is well understood that the launch of a new business involves a wide range of skills, much persistence, and the ability to overcome many obstacles along the way.

When that business introduces new technology, an additional challenge is to survive the interest of innovators, who comprise a very small percentage of potential customers. Bridging the chasm between the innovators and the general public has become a bridge too far for many worthwhile new products.

Buying a home is the most important investment in the lives of most, and it follows that those introducing new technology face the widest range of hurdles. Apart from overcoming consumer suspicion, there is a need to prove technical effectiveness via compliance with National Building Regulations regarding thermal efficiency and energy usage, local authorities’ need for Agrément and NHBRC certificates, and overcoming the reluctance of banks to provide bonds that are perceived as unprofitable.

In 1991, Michael Hill, a Cape Town-based corporate insurance broker resigned his directorate of Glenrand MIB to devote the rest of his working life to discover the best means by which people can gain a house that is strong and durable, waterproof, fire-resistant, provides excellent thermal protection and involves technology that is easy to train emerging contractors, and which can be erected quickly, so as to reduce the risks and cost of excessive site time, weather, holidays and crime.

After about three years learning the basics, which involved successfully delivering 80 cavity-walled brick houses at Bella Vista for Ceres Municipality in 1993, Hill hit upon the

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concept of manufacturing a panel that includes provision for windows, doors and electricity that could be erected in one day and then receive a 25mm render of lime/cement/ sand on each face. Cavity walls are important, but when built with bricks or cement blocks, construction becomes slow and expensive.

After much support, many tests, a great number of financial and political challenges and ‘shelving’ this panel idea more than once, in 2010, Hill finally teamed up with two new parners, Krish Thaver and Dave Hickson-Mahony, who believed in the product, and so a new Khaya Readykit era was launched.

Perhaps the most significant event for the welfare of all those companies involved with alternative building technology came in 2011 when the new Minister of Human Settlements, Tokyo Sexwale announced that R50b had to be spent on demolishing or rectifying faulty and Jerry built brick/block houses. Awareness of this problem swiftly resulted in National, Provincial and Local Government taking a fresh look at the possibility that those of us offering alternative building methods might also combine cost effectiveness with attention to quality.

This rapidly led to the requirement that all such systems be awarded an Agrément certificate, which the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) have managed for many years. In 2003, Khaya Readykit had been given a positive report by Agrément relating to condensation and energy use, but due to high cost implications, a full certificate could not be pursued.

ABTs

During 2011, Government intervened and persuaded the CSIR to severely cut the cost, which they did, resulting in a flow of new acceptable innovative building systems.

Application for Khaya Readykit’s Agrément certification commenced late 2011 and provisional certificate 2112/426 was issued just when the new national building regulations demanded that all brick/block walls achieve an energy use rating of R2.2 if to be used anywhere in RSA , something we are achieving by a combination of single reflective membranes and polyurethane foam.

2012 was breakthrough year with Khaya Readykit’s successfully delivery of 31 early childhood development schools to KZN province. Tenders for housing projects in KZN and the Eastern Cape are in the pipeline. A 672 Gap Housing project, called Carsdale at eMpangeni already has two show houses and is into first-phase marketing.

Building projects in Lesotho and Namibia are also in the pipeline and we have also concluded license agreements in Zimbabwe and Nigeria.

We are commited to ensuring that our buildings have minimal dependance on external services, not only via solar geysers and rainwater tanks, but also by a range of PV systems for both AC and DC current, costing from R5000 upwards.

In the face of Eskom power supply constraints, as well as the overeaching demand that we actually do something about battling climate change, we urge government to take the initiative to ensure that Eskom and all municipalities provide workable net rating tariffs that encourage the thousands of consumers with sun baked roofs to install their own PV systems and be paid for what they generate at the same rate as they pay for what is drawn from the grid.

Following that single decision, we can quickly reduce our carbon footprint, reduce the risk of power outages, and, in so doing, create many thousands of new jobs.

Khaya Readykit is poised to play a significant role in helping to dent the housing and schooling backlog and, in so doing, train many thousands of emerging contractors, helping to reduce the poverty gap.

For more information, visit www.khayareadykit.co.za.

JULY 2013

29

events

bauma Africa an important event for the promotion of a stronger South Africa-Germany partnership Elaine Crewe, CEO of MMI South Africa, states that the first bauma event in Africa represents an important aspect of the growing partnership between South Africa and Germany, particularly in the Mining and Construction sectors. bauma Africa, International Trade Fair for Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Mining Machines and Construction Vehicles, will take place for the first time in Africa from 18 to 21 September, at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

players to the South African and African markets. This will result in increased foreign investment in both mining and construction, benefitting the economy of South Africa and Africa as well," she says.

"As the first bauma started in Germany, it is, essentially, a German event. Now that we are bringing the show to Africa, it is important for the two countries to maintain a strong relationship," says Crewe.

Crewe notes that the South Africa-Germany partnership also adds a sense of credibility to the event. "Germany will occupy one of the nine country pavilions at bauma Africa, which is set to be the largest German pavilion at any African event," she states.

She adds that the event has been successful in Germany, India (a joint venture with AEM) and China and that the company hopes to continue this success in Africa. "The event will serve as a platform to introduce major German

Currently, 112 German companies have registered for the event, including major companies such as Bauer, Benninghoven, ELBA-WERK, Herrenknecht, PERI Wacker Neuson and Wirtgen.

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events Eugen Egetenmeir, MD of international trade fair services company, Messe München International, says Africa is a promising and interesting market: "This is evident by the participation of 77 exhibitors at the German pavilion at bauma Africa. Never before has a trade fair in Africa experienced such a high participation in a German national pavilion. Additionally, according to a survey of the German Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, one out of five companies, who are operating abroad, stated to make deals in the African market.”

Further, Joachim Schmid, MD of the German Engineering Federation for construction equipment, building material machines and mining equipment says South Africa provides great business opportunities for the federation’s member companies, as well as other German companies: "This is why the federation has supported bauma Africa and the German national pavilion from the beginning.

South Africa holds the majority of the world's platinum reserves, as well as a considerable amount of other minerals," he says, adding that South Africa's role as the gateway into Africa is another reason why the market is so attractive to German companies.

Elaine Crewe, CEO of MMI South Africa.

Crewe further states, "South Africa is seen as a politically and economically stable African country, while Germany is one of the most stable countries in Europe. This will assist in the flow of trade between the two countries, which we hope will increase after bauma Africa.”

"South Africa can offer Germany a wealth of resources, while Germany offers the possibility of foreign investment and growth for our mining and construction sectors," Crewe concludes.

Cement & concrete

Push to specify readymix concrete Changing the requirements for improved quality concrete on construction sites is a top priority for the newly appointed general manager of the South African Readymix Association (Sarma), Johan van Wyk. Concrete developments According to Sarma director, Nico Pienaar, the appointment of a general manager was the key to unlock the next phase of the association’s (and the readymix industry’s) development.

“We have worked tirelessly to set standards for safety, health, road transport, environment and quality which we uphold through annual audits. This has led to vastly improved standards and conditions at Sarma-operated plants and gives concrete users the benefit of purchasing readymix concrete that conforms to the South African Bureau of Standards’ SANS 5-878 quality specifications.”

“As we enter the next phase of the industry’s development our organisation has to transform to reach out to industry role-players and perhaps, more importantly, to end users.

Johan’s appointment is therefore instrumental in the association reaching its next milestones.”

Continuous training Johan van Wyk is the new general manager of the South African Readymix Association (Sarma).

H

e says that while sterling work has already been done by the association to formalise the readymix industry and improve the quality of concrete produced by its members, industry professionals, such as architects, engineers and finance institutions still need to be shown the benefits of specifying Sarma-approved concrete on all their projects.

“Readymix concrete is so versatile that there is very little reason to use anything but Sarma-approved readymix on any construction site. The Sarma badge on our members’ trucks indicates that they uphold our strict standards and that their sites are audited for quality at least once a year.

By comparison, self-mixed concrete, or concrete supplied by a non-Sarma member carries no such assurance.

“That is why I want to make it one of my first priorities to engage organisations representing these professions to convince and prove to them that only Sarma-approved readymix should be used on projects. After all, when we need the services of an engineer or architect, we are sure to select suitably qualified individual; why not do the same when specifying concrete on site?”

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Johan says now that the most of the groundwork has already been done, it is his aim to reach out to educate the rest of the market on the importance of using quality, professionally batched and quality assured concrete from companies that not only have the means to produce quality to standards, but also have reputations to uphold and comply with the association’s codes of practice.

“Part of the transformation will be to reach out to endusers and invite them to participate and tell us about their experiences. Also, we want to understand their requirements and help members to adapt in order to meet these expectations.”

“Likewise, we want to act as a one-stop advisory to users on technical issues, as well as matching their requirements to the skills and abilities of Sarma members in their region. We will expand our services to members to include training and practical workshops to improve quality or adopt new techniques,” Johan explains.

Successful career The association will tap into Johan’s vast knowledge-base to develop training material and further improve skills within member organisations.

Cement & concrete His background in lecturing and research supports the next phase of the industry’s development.

Johan studied Civil Engineering at the Freestate Technikon where (after obtaining his national diploma) he remained on as a technical assistant and lecturer. During his stint in academia he also received training in France and was exposed to strict and rigorous research undertaken by leading proponents of concrete nationally and abroad.

After serving ten years in the role he eventually made the transition to the corporate world, working for admixtureand concrete-producing companies before finally trying his hand at consulting. “Sharing my knowledge with people and training is a passion of mine and when the Sarma position became available I jumped at the opportunity.”

Knowledge based “In my new role I will not only be able to continue training, but will also be able to move the construction industry in the direction of quality.”

“On the other hand my knowledge of cement, concrete, aggregates and additives will also enable me to investigate quality issues and enforce sanctions on member companies if need be,” adds John.

He concludes that he will actively visit member sites throughout the country on a regular basis, and invites all role-players within the broader construction industry to liaise with him to highlight areas of improvement or introduce new ideas and concepts to South Africa’s already well-developed readymix industry.

For more information, contact: Johan van Wyk (t) 011 791 3327 (e) johan@sarma.co.za (w) www.sarma.co.za

JULY 2013

33

news

GEXsa launches in SA, guarantees

deposits and breakages to rental market Protects agents and provides relief to consumers

G

uarantee Exchange South Africa (GEXsa) launched this week to provide much needed guarantees to long- and short-term rental agents and owners should a tenant abscond or leave the property in a bad state. The company also provides financial flexibility for cashstrapped consumers who are credit worthy but struggle to come up with a three-month rental deposit.

This is great news for consumers who in the past were hampered financially by having to pay a two to three months’ deposit. Now they sign an agreement and pay a nominal fee based on their monthly rental in lieu of the deposit. Once checking the credit-worthiness of the individual, GEXsa is able to have a guarantee issued to the owner or agent within a matter of minutes.

“Due to changes in the macro environment, a one-month security deposit has become insufficient. With the demand now for two to three months’ rental as a security deposit, it is difficult to conclude rental agreements,” says Cathy Foster, GEXsa CEO.

"The biggest challenge facing landlords and rental agencies for both shortand long-term rentals is securing a reliable tenant who has the correct credentials, can afford an adequate security deposit and firmly commits to return the property in the same condition it was handed over to them.”

Cathy Foster.

“The short-term rental market requires much more than three months for breakages – thus the reason for guarantees of a higher value which range from R200 000 to R700 000.”

GEXsa has developed an intricate paperless system that's user friendly for owners, agents and tenants. Tenant details are recorded on the GEXsa website, simultaneously connecting to Tenant Profile Network (TPN), a registered credit bureau specialising in tenant behaviour across both residential and commercial markets to assess tenancy history. Paperwork is then logged online and once all documentation has been loaded and payment has been made, a guarantee is issued.

The guarantee is issued to the owner or rental agent and an email confirming that the guarantee has been issued is mailed to the tenant.

“The cost to the lessee is determined by the rental contribution which is marginal in comparison to a three-month rental deposit, which is the norm,” says Cathy Foster.

GEXsa guarantees are underwritten in partnership with SA Guarantee Specialists, a registered UMA dedicated to this specialist sector of the market. All the guarantees will carry a claims-paying ability rating of AA (or better). The lessor will therefore always have peace of mind that all of the guarantees will be honoured and that SA Guarantee Specialists will facilitate the claim process in the event the lessee fails to pay rental or the cost relating to damages. The lessor is settled in full and SA Guarantee Specialists will pursue outstanding debt from the tenant.

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Danie Hanekom.

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Windows & Doors

Low-cost housing with a high-class finish Leading wooden window and door manufacturer, Swartland, recently launched an innovative new product that has been specially designed for low-cost housing projects - the Kayo Pre-sealed and Pre-glazed range of wooden windows and doors.

T

his exciting new range not only offers an attractive aesthetic to low-cost houses, but it also improves the overall build quality and ensures compliance with the new SANS 10400 XA 613 National Building Regulations.

Recently, Swartland’s new range of Kayo Pre-sealed and Pre-glazed wooden windows were successfully installed in a 2 000-house low-cost housing development called iKamvelihle in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Cobus Lourens from Swartland explains what makes this range of wooden windows so innovative: “The Kayo Pre-sealed and Pre-glazed range of wooden windows and doors is professionally sealed and glazed before it leaves the Swartland factory, so that when the windows and doors arrive on-site, they are ready to be installed with no further labour required to seal or glaze them.”

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“This not only saves the construction company time and money on installation costs, but it also ensures that the windows are adequately protected against exposure to the elements. Furthermore, each wooden window comes individually sealed in a plastic cover to guarantee protection against any possible cement and paint damage.”

“It also vastly increases the overall build quality of any project – ensuring that the windows are finished to Swartland’s exacting standards and that any warrantees are therefore upheld,” he explains.

Windows & Doors

Clive Adams from the developer of the iKamvelihle project, Amakhaya Construction, notes that Swartland’s Kayo Pre-sealed and Pre-glazed range offers a multitude of benefits to those developing low-cost housing projects, including: • Better quality: The Swartland Kayo Pre-sealed and Preglazed range of windows is produced and finished in a state-of-the-art manufacturing environment, and the absolute quality control and perfect factory finish that is achievable in this manner is impossible to achieve on-site.

• Easier on-site management: Since these windows come pre-sealed and pre-glazed, the on-site management for glazing and sealing has been entirely removed. There is no need to employ and manage any staff to seal or glaze the windows once they have been installed – saving time, money and any headache that sealing or glazing might cause.

• Simpler and faster: Swartland purpose-builds the wooden windows so that they fit in with block sizes.

This cuts down any possible waste, saves bricks, ensures a quicker build, and provides a better overall finish.

• Added protection: Being pre-sealed means that the timber is protected from the elements. Also, each window comes in its own plastic cover in order to further protect it against any cement or paint damage.

• Silicone instead of putty: Silicone has been used to hold the glazing in place instead of putty. Silicone is a much more modern product, which doesn't leak water or wind and it is also far more durable than putty.

• Pleasing aesthetics: Wooden windows offer a beautifully rich and warm aesthetic to any home in which they are featured – it is a look that the iKamvelihle community is very happy about. They say that owning a home with beautiful wooden windows makes them very proud!

• Wood is green: Wood is an environmentally friendly material, and it is a highly efficient insulator, which can improve the performance and efficiency of homes by up to 20%. This equates to great savings on electricity over the long term, as well as being an environmentally responsible choice and conforming to the current National Building Regulations.

• Pre-sealed: All the Kayo Pre-sealed and Pre-glazed windows are pre-sealed with Swartland’s new Germanmanufactured Maxicare water-based sealant. Maxicare water-based sealant boasts a number of benefits, including the fact that it is an environmentally friendly sealant with low VOC emissions, it is UV- and waterresistant, non-flammable, lead-free, and it contains anti-fungal properties to protect the timber from fungus, such as dry rot, for example. It will also offer years of protection from the damaging effects of extreme temperatures, humidity, cold, rain and sunlight.

JULY 2013

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Windows & Doors

• No more sanding required: Gone are the days when you had to laboriously sand wooden windows and doors before re-sealing them; now all that needs to be done is to simply wash and wipe them down using the specially formulated Maxicare Wash’n Wipe Wood Maintenance and Touch-Up Kit to restore them to their original beauty. The kit comes complete with a Cleaning Agent, Protective Emulsion, Protective Glaze and a sponge, and it is readily available from leading building merchants nationwide.

• SANS-compliant: And lastly, but certainly not least, Swartland’s Kayo Pre-sealed and Pre-glazed range of wooden windows is compliant with the National Building Regulations. In order to ensure that its windows are compliant with the SANS 613 and 204 (Fenestration Products) Mechanical Performance Criteria, Swartland’s Kayo Pre-sealed and Pre-glazed range of windows is tested for deflection, structural strength, water-resistance, airtightness, operating forces, and the best possible energy efficiency. As a result, all Swartland’s Pre-sealed and Preglazed windows have unique mechanical property values, from A1 to A4, assigned to them.

Says Adams, “Swartland’s Kayo Pre-sealed and Pre-glazed range of wooden windows is a truly innovative and costsaving product – it makes the building process faster, ensures a better overall build quality, conforms to the necessary building regulations, can be manufactured to suit block sizes, and the product is protected against any damage during the building process. It really makes the lives of any developer that much easier, and on a 2 000-house project like iKamvelihle, this peace of mind can really make a difference!

These windows have also been wonderful in refurbishment projects - the windows can be installed and the beneficiary can move in that night.”

For further information, contact: Cobus Lourens (c) 082 776 2225 (e) cobusl@swartland.co.za

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www.nurcha.co.za

Contact Nurcha: 0861NURCHA/0861 687 242 | Email: devfinance@nurcha.co.za Registered Credit Provider (NCRCP 959)

news

PPC Builder’s App to revolutionise South African construction PPC Cement, the leading supplier of cement in southern Africa, has partnered with Digital Solutions Group to deliver a first to market mobile application designed and customised for those in building and construction in mind, as launched at the 2013 TotallyConcrete Expo.

“As a leader in the cement industry, PPC Ltd believes that it is essential for every builder to have all the latest tools available at their disposal. This will enable them to work more efficiently and save money. We believe that this App will do just this and enable every project that uses it to be successful,” said Sibongile Mooko, PPC’s General Manager of Marketing Services.

The easy-to-use application provides many practical functions for professionals in the building or construction market and avid DIYers in the home, including a Quantity Calculator that enables the users to accurately calculate the amount of cement needed to complete a job based on the dimensions the user inputs. The application also includes a Weather Watch tool that will advise on the best time of day to lay concrete or build based on the weather forecast and conditions. The Weather Watch tool allows professional master builders to list several locations, where they may monitor the weather conditions across all of their building sites, speeding up the decision making process and prioritisation of jobs to be managed and completed.

Other functionalities include a complete product overview, store locator with Google-enabled maps and directions, and FAQ. Says Yaron Assabi, CEO and founder of Digital Solutions Group, “One of our specialities lies in finding the most appropriate mobile solution that will help a client mobilise their business, products or services toward an enhanced customer experience. The vision behind this application was to allow customers to engage with the PPC Cement brand in an immersive experience, while still offering them access to useful information and tools.”

“This application will assist us in driving a stronger level of engagement with our customer and further cement our brand promise of giving you more cement per bag. We believe that this app will effectively eliminate any potential mistakes or miscalculations, saving you both time and money,” said Mooko.

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“As the leading cement supplier in southern Africa, this app enables us to be with you at every step of the way. The app will calculate how much cement you can buy and where to buy it. By using this app, you will be able to get in touch with PPC and fully benefit from all that we have to offer,” she said.

This launch phase of the application will be available on IOS, Android and BlackBerry operating 6+. “Though this is the launch phase, we have already begun planning exciting new additions and integrations for phase two that will continue to promote a user-friendly experience. Also, we’ll undertake regular mobile analytics and quality rating surveying to ensure that PPC Cement remains customerrelevant while building on greater customer experiences,” concludes Assabi.

The PPC App is available for download on Google Play and the Apple App Store and on the BlackBerry App store.

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