Construction World August 2015

> DIARY AND APPOINTMENTS

During this year’s programme, BASF created conversations around the universal topic of sustainability. Explains vice-president and head of business center South Africa and Sub-Sahara, Joan-Maria Garcia-Girona: “Sustainability is firmly embedded into BASF’s strategy and organisation. Sustainability management supports the company’s strategic principle ‘We drive sustainable solutions’ and follows its corporate purpose of ‘We create chemistry for a sustainable future’” he says. “BASF defines sustainability as balancing economic success with social and environmental responsibility, both today and into the future.” BASF is celebrating its 150 th Anniversary during 2015 and, as part of the year-long anniversary programme, the company is focusing on global chal- lenges regarding Urban Living, Sustainable Food and Smart Energy. These topics have been transferred into a cutting edge exhibition at Sustainability Week 2015 which stimulated the audience into experiencing these chal- lenges and engage in conversations in a mini ‘Creator Space’. KEY PARTNER BASF was a key partner in the Sustainability Week initiative held from 23 – 28 June 2015 at the CSIR International Convention Center. Under the theme ‘Get ready to put ideas in motion’ BASF did exactly that with the other thought leaders, policy makers, practitioners and producers who shared knowledge and ideas at the event with the aim to ultimately improve environmental and economic performance. >

Says Garcia-Girona: “Creator Space™ was introduced by BASF as a global interactive platform to stimulate ideas for solutions to global problems. At SustainabilityWeek 2015 we created this same space where visitors were able to generate their own energy through activities.” Among the innovative displays of 3D sculptures highlighting the topic of waste, food and how to generate energy, the company posed challenging questions on the ‘What If’ wall and participants could register at BASF’s Creator Space™ on-line platform in order to participate in global conversations. Garcia-Girona adds: “BASF’s sustainable understanding is that the company is on a journey. For BASF, sustainability is core business and the company has implemented global standards for its value chains as well as with products that enable sustainable development. Over 150 years the company’s winning recipe has not changed – we recognise societal trends and the needs of people and, with research and development, BASF continues to find innovative solutions to meet these challenges again and again.”

APPOINTMENTS

TRENDS IN FLOORING

Chryso Southern Africa Trevor Sawyer, country manager of Chryso Eastern Africa.

Lafarge South Africa Vishal Devan, general manager: supply chain.

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Leading South African flooring supplier and installer, Kevin Bates Albert Carpets (KBAC), recently showed the latest trends in flooring from some of the world's top brands at a special exhibition staged in Cape Town.

A total of 27 flooring companies, from South Africa and overseas, introduced their latest product lines and discussed

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new looks and developments in flooring with about 350 interior designers, architects, building contractors and end-users from various parts of the country who attended the expo.

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff

NMC Construction Group Brad Wantenaar, director of its Gauteng region.

Vishaal Lutchman, divisional director within the company’s development, transportation and infrastructure business unit.

Pierre Fourie, managing director. Xylem South Africa

Brian Wilkinson, CEO of the Green Building Council of SA, pictured with Lesley Fidrmuc, Interface Consultant at KBAC, at the KBAC Flooring Expo in Cape Town recently.

CONSTRUCTION WORLD AUGUST 2015