ON THE COVER: As companies scramble to adapt to the rapidly unfolding impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a sense that our very foundations are shifting. Construction World spoke to AfriSam Sales and Marketing Executive Richard Tomes about how the industry and the country should retain its footing. “It has been pointed out by astute business writers that the greatest invention of all time is not, in fact, the wheel; rather, it is organisation,” says Tomes. “Our most powerful asset is our ability as human beings to work together in a concerted and efficient manner – with a shared goal and motivation that inspires us.”

ON THE COVER: The construction industry has potential to create employment opportunities to cushion the impact of an anticipated increase in unemployment in the immediate aftermath of the nation-wide lockdown. This is according to a submission made by the Construction COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Team to motivate for a phased reactivation of the construction sector. The task team is a body representing major organisations in the sector including contractors, property developers, construction professionals, suppliers, and service providers.

KEMACH has launched their new range of KEMACH Forklifts for the South African and Sub Saharan African markets, which will be promoted under their newly formed KEMACH Forklifts division.

Speaking at their March 2020 presentation, held at their offices in Boksburg, Gauteng, Frans van den Heever, General Manager for KEMACH Forklifts said,  “We at KEMACH are delighted to announce the KEMACH Forklift range, in partnership with Anhui HELI, which we believe will complement our existing quality earthmoving products. The KEMACH Forklift range offers our customers a South African forklift warranty first – a five years/12 000 hour warranty on the complete machine, not just parts of the machine”.

ON THE COVER: The local construction market will once again benefit from another new addition to the already comprehensive range (over 100 models available, including our Twin Battery 18 V+18 V = 36 range) of Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless tools.

The new 18 V LXT Cordless DTR180Z Rebar Tying Tool will dramatically increase production for users in the precast, concrete construction and steel industries. This new model has a brushless motor that produces less friction and heat, therefore providing higher operating efficiency and increasing the output power and work amount on a single full battery charge.

ON THE COVER: Bosch’s new Professional Magnetic Drill – the GBM 50-2 – is convenient, durable, highly efficient and safe. With the best price-performance ratio in its class, this tool is ideal for tough metal core drilling, twist drilling and threading metal. Its laser technology offers a fast target set-up and power supply cut-off system that prevents electric shock. The smart HMI-system enables easy serviceability and controls carbon brush wear, preventing unexpected interruptions. The product features a load indicator that prevents overheating while a magnetic field activation with high magnetic force makes accuracy easy.