Success breeds success. Joining hands with successful, passionate and result-driven companies is one of the reasons that Forte Demolition Services, based in Fochville, North West, is leading the pack when it comes to asbestos abatement, rehabilitation and demolition work.
The company, established in 2012, by husband and wife team, Edward and Marolize Gibbens boasts decades of experience in the demolition field and have teams working throughout South Africa on multiple demolition projects.
The dynamic duo and owners of Forte Demolition Services, Marolize Gibbens (Director) and Edward Gibbens (CEO) photographed at their offices about 10km outside Fochville in the North West.
With several of his experience gained as a field engineer where he worked for London Underground Rail and on numerous skyscraper projects, CEO Edward Gibbens said: “We saw a gap in the South African market for, not only, the abatement of asbestos, but zero waste to landfill for asbestos.”
Throughout the years, the company, with a staff complement of about 100 people, has been involved in various demolition fields, including asbestos abatement, mechanical and technical demolition, excavation, back filling, rehabilitation as well as demolition of industrial plants and structures.
“Now we mainly pursue two avenues – that of asbestos abatement and full mechanical specialised demolition. To date, Forte Demolition Services has completed some of the biggest clean-up projects in South Africa. This includes projects in the mining, and petrochemical industry. We treat specialised business models to handle asbestos to suite the market related constrains in the asbestos abatement fields.”
Work of high standard
To continuously deliver work of this high standard, on time and successful every time, Forte Demolition Services have executed their latest projects with equipment supplied by Jet Park based, High Power Equipment Africa (HPE Africa), sole distributors of Hyundai construction equipment in southern Africa and Soosan hydraulic breakers.
The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Invicta Holdings and is a dynamic player in the market which offers a greater degree of flexibility to solve challenges their customers face.
“We have assessed earthmoving equipment, and through trial and error found a partner in HPE Africa that lives up to our standards, that can produce genuine 24/7 back-up service and parts availability. They are, not only interested in selling machines, they are interested in the success of our business and they deliver a service, better than we have ever experienced with any other original equipment manufacturer.’’
Work together
Edward continued: “with HPE Africa’s product knowledge and our specialised industry experience, we look at a job on hand, and based on a thorough analyses of what needs to be done, HPE Africa will suggest machines with the correct specifications and tie this up with the specific project. This leads to the completion of the project without fail. Our downtime with the Hyundai machines have been minimal, and if we have a problem, I only need to make one phone call, during, or after office hours, and it is sorted.”
Operating a fleet of about 25 machines, Forte Demolition Services has during time added new Hyundai machines and removed the old ones. Hyundai machines purchased are two Hyundai R220LC-9S tracked excavators, one R300LC-9S tracked excavator, a HSL850-7 skid steer, a HL760-9S wheel loader and two H940-S backhoe loader. Added to this are specialised attachments sourced and sold to them by HPE Africa; these include, amongst others rotating shears that add to productivity and complement the Hyundai excavator, which deliver more versatility and productivity.
The Hyundai machines are all designed for efficient performance, low operating costs and minimal maintenance requirements. The machines are supported by HPE Africa’s well-equipped workshops in Gauteng, Durban, Cape Town and East London, with dealers in Limpopo, Upington, Kimberly and Douglas.
Forte Demolition Services said this wide service network adds to their advantage when they have projects far-a-field, they know an HPE Africa maintenance and service technician is close by. He mentioned that all the Hyundai machines in its own can operate in the most arduous demolition conditions with proven robustness and rugged machine reliability.
Proven components
The Hyundai crawler excavators offer reliability one can depend on. Both excavators are fitted with Cummins engines, the Cummins B5.9-C engine (for the R220LC-9S) and the Cummins C8.3-C for the R300LC-9S crawler excavator. Both these engines have been designed with 40% fewer parts than the competition. That means there's less that can go wrong when you need it most. Repairs are simplified because no special tools are needed for maintenance. The weight of the machines is reduced without sacrificing strength. The B5.9-C engine is capable of reaching emission standards without electronic engine controls.
The Cummins C8.3-C engine meets Tier ll emissions regulations. Qualities you’ll find in Cummins C8.3-C is an engine design so advanced, it doesn’t need electronic engine controls in order to meet emissions regulations now and in the future. It offers exceptional power-to-weight ratio.
According to HPE Africa with both excavators’ you get a proven power plant that meets ecological concerns, without paying a premium for technology you don’t need.
With an operating weight of 17,9 t, a maximum bucket capacity of 4,1 m³, and a maximum digging force of 159 kN, the HL760-9S wheel loader is ideally suited for any project that calls for productivity, reliability and low operating costs.
The H940-S backhoe loader, also does not disappoint, said Edward. It offers 7,6t operating weight with a maximum backhoe digging depth of 4 220 mm for the backhoe and a maximum dumping height of 3 450 mm for the loader and 5 665 mm for the backhoe. It comes standard with a 0,90 m³ loader bucket and a 0,17m³ backhoe bucket. With 68 kW @ 2 200 rpm, the backhoe offers power when its needed.
The smallest Hyundai owned by Forte Demolition Services, the HSL850-7 skid steer delivers a powerful punch of 48 kW @ 2 400 rpm with a 3,2t operating weight and a 0,37 m³ bucket capacity.
“We are impressed with all the Hyundai machines, they deliver from operator comfortability to productivity and reliability we expect from an OEM. We believe this is going to be a longstanding relationship we have built with HPE Africa,” said Edward.
Concluding both Edward and Marolize mentioned that Forte Demolition Services strives to uplift local communities and invest in the previously disadvantaged in order to build a stronger tomorrow and a positive working environment by employing local labour at different project locations and equipping them with the needed training and assessment to improve their individual skills.
“We strive to invest in the local communities where our company is established for the duration of project executions. This typically involves recruitment and training to equip individuals for temporary employment for the duration of a project. Quantity of the community individuals is determined by each projects scope of work. We have a passion for what we do and what we believe and want to leave a sustainable legacy behind.”