December 2013
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
42
Building Contractors
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2
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his is a greenfields BOPPmanufacturing plant, an investment of
R600-million overall. Stefanutti Stocks KZN, the main contrac-
tor’s structure and building cost was R140-million, the majority
of the value coming from themechanical and electrical components.
The complicated structure comprised of four pits 6 m deep with
a myriad of structural concrete. Support columns and beams and
retaining walls to support the heavy mechanical equipment were
required to produce the BOPP material, various subsurface portal
framed culverts for services and corbelled columns to support over-
head gantry cranes.
The other structures and utility buildings to support the produc-
tion facility are significant and a three-storey office block is included.
Significant hardstand areas and dock levellers are also present.
The client is from India and unfamiliar with South African laws,
bylaws and construction codes. This posed a significant challenge to
get compliant information and product.
The contractor needed to get the structural steel started as early
as possible. This required casting the perimeter columns in one lift
omitting the beamconnections and casting the corbel sections with a
purpose-made steel shutter, then coming back froma drill and dowel
operation to cast the beams.
The pits slowed the contractor down significantly as it needed
to get out of the ground in order to complete the balance of the
structure above the pits.
The biodiversity impact was considered with the initial EIA
(Environmental Impact Assessment).
Although there were earthworks required on the site, these were
not major ones, and no substantial banks or slopes were created in
this process.The site is also immediately adjacent to a main road, and
has either vacant land or other industrial factory type installations
in its proximity. It is therefore not sensitive from a socio-economic/
neighbourhood sensitivity point of view.
Stefanutti Stocks Building KZNmanagement takes responsibility for
the safety and health of all our employees, clients, contractors and
the public seriously by promoting a safety culture.
The SRF FLEXIPAK sitewas audited by theMaster Builders Associa-
tion (KZN) and achieved a 5-star rating and also participated in and
won in the MBA 2013 Regional Safety competition. This site is also
currently representing the MBA KZN in the MBASA 2013 National
Safety Competition where we are currently awaiting the results.
The contract was structured with 19 sectional completion dates,
all tied up with international mechanical delivery of plant for instal-
lation by a German company.The dates were very tight and of a high
risk in nature, this being more of a civil type contract constructed by
a building company. The client delayed the contractor in areas and
it applied to the engineer for an extension of time. This was granted
except for one area where Stefanutti Stocks KZN opted to accelerate
by agreement.
This date was achieved.
SRF Flexipak
Project information
• Name of project: SRF Flexipak
• Company entering: Stefanutti Stocks Building KwaZulu-Natal
• Project start date: October 2012
• Project end date: December 2013
• Client: SRF
• Project team: Stefanutti Stocks Building KwaZulu-Natal
• Main contractor: Stefanutti Stocks Building KwaZulu-Natal
• Architect: WSP
• Principal agent: WSP
• Project value: R130-million
