August 2013
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
31
projects & contracts
investors relatively quickly, meaning that they
move to operational phase within about a
year of signing, depending on this size of the
project,” said Vilakazi. “This has implications
for investors’ bottom dollar as they are able
to start production relatively quickly.”
A partnership between Famous Brands
and Coega Dairy has also seen the dairy
expanding its operations to supply cheese
products to the group in a project dubbed
‘Coega Cheese’ with a joint valued invest-
ment of R45-million pouring into the Coega
IDZ as a result.
FAW
In addition, says Vilakazi, the construction
activity is creating needed jobs for the city,
particularly on the FAW site, with the R200-
million FAW construction project well un-
derway. To date about 304 construction jobs
have been created on its site, a number that
grows week toweek. In total the construction
phase will see about 2 000 jobs generated
over the year-long duration. In the operation
phase of the truck assembling plant a further
280 jobs will also be created.
According to Arnie van Jaarsveldt, WBHO
Construction Eastern Cape managing direc-
tor and lead contractor on the FAW project,
the highlight of the construction will be its
architectural finesse.
Van Jaarsveldt said Eastern Cape Archi-
tects Studio d’Arc wanted to make a state-
ment with the Chinese automotive giants’
building in Zone 2 of the IDZ.
“Its prime position on the N2 means it
will get heightened attention. FAWmanage-
ment loved Studio d’Arc’s unique design on
the office and reception area – particularly
the exceptional use of concrete, so that is
set to be the highlight of the building,”
said Van Jaarsveldt.
“Otherwise, we are working hard to keep
to a strict timetable, and you will see the
columns almost completed and some initial
top structures going up over the factory
portion. With a long way to go, the skeleton
is definitely taking shape.”
Van Jaarsveldt said construction is on-
track for completion end December 2013,
adding that there was significant collabora-
tionbetween the Chinese engineers and their
South African counterparts – a coup for skills
development and mentorship.
AGNI Steels
Agni Steels is also wrapping construction of
its R400-million steel plant in Zone 6 of the
11 500 ha IDZ. Agni Steels will operate in a
high-tech smelting facility to produce mild
steel billets from scrap metal. The plant at
Coega will use 10 000 tons of scrap metal in
Phase I and 20 000 tons in Phase II.
DCD Group
DCD Group is also in the early phases of its
R300-million wind tower manufacture fac-
tory which when completed, is expected to
employ 168 workers, and produce between
110 and 120 wind towers annually. “Coega
is boldly delivering on our jobs promise
through the attraction of investments,” said
Vilakazi. “The construction boom is just a
taste of things to come. Never before has it
been so important to say: watch this space.”
●
LEFT:
The Famous Brands cold storage unit in Zone
1 of the Coega Industrial Development Zone is
almost complete with the company scheduled to
take occupation of the building next week.
RIGHT:
A snapshot of the inside of the Agni Steels plant in
Zone 11 of the Coega Industrial Development Zone.
