March 2011

The March issue of Construction World focuses on steel technology. In one of the articles in this feature, Dr Hennie de Clercq, the president of the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction, says that the institute is not aware of any form of collusion, price fixing, division of markets or other practices in the steel construction industry. This follows the Competition Commission's announcement that it was investigating 65 bid-rigging cases involving over 70 public and private construction projects valued at R29-billion. South Africa's big five construction firms are among those implicated.

The cover feature of the March issue is on Delmas-based B&T Steel who was contracted to design, fabricate and erect Ford's Automotive Supplier Plant in Rosslyn. It comprises a 12 400 m² warehouse, 14,6 m in height on a 29 000 m² property. Ben Dicks, marketing and sales director, shares what the company has learn over the last 15 years.

Ben Dicks, the sales and marketing director of B&T Steel.

Alan Watt's article ‘Private finance, South African style' investigates how, a decade ago, PPPs were regarded as an ideal way to tackle projects, but also why PPPs have not really taken off in the way it was generally expected to. Since writing the article, there has been some activity, which is encouraging.

Says Watt, "There are a few positive signs that 2011 could be the year when there will be a resumption of activities in the PPP market. The preparation of tender documentation for five new provincial hospitals is reported to be moving forward with the first RFQ for the massive Extensions to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital mooted to be issued to prospective bidders within the next two to three months. Transaction Advisors are also expected to be appointed for Independent Power Producers and there are strong rumours of more accommodation bids and a new National Archives Building later in the year."

South Africa is under huge pressure to deliver infrastructure and services to its disadvantaged population, and settled on PPPs as a good way to do it. But 10 years on, the process is still costly, slow and prone to failure.

Cautiously optimistic

Having repositioned their businesses during the downturn with sustainable models better suited to manage risk and expand into new markets and services, some international construction firms are leaner, stronger, and more strategic, a recent study from KPMG International has found.

Contemplating a time when construction did a roaring trade: To accommodate the growing traffic volume, Beijing International airport added the enormous Terminal 3 in 2008, the second largest airport terminal in the world after Dubai International Airport's Terminal 3, and the third largest building in the world by area.

Finely balanced

Two viaducts which carry the Gautrain on its journey to Pretoria have become landmark structures. Towering over the N14 and N1 respectively, these impressive concrete structures were constructed by the Bombela CJV using the balanced cantilever method of construction.

The cantilever with two form travellers on either side on Jean Avenue.

opening up etosha's western zone

The acquisition of a new Cat fleet by Etosha National Park in Namibia forms part of a broad-ranging US donor package designed to boost Namibia's socio-economic potential, with the country's tourism industry forming a core component.

Two of Etosha National Park's new Cat 120K motor graders keep tourist routes in pristine condition.