Construction World March 2015

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Mohau Mphomela, executive director of MBA North, says the Association has found that many newer members tend to resign membership within a year or two, after insuffi- cient new work had materialised despite being a registered member of MBA North, and therefore entitled to call themselves a Master Builder. “It was clear that for newer members to see direct and tangible income benefits from MBA membership, the consumer had to be targeted and convinced of the merits of dealing only with our members. This will hopefully produce the income injection new and long-standing MBA North members are seeking. We have therefore allocated the first- ever MBA North Consumer Budget to reach the consumer in Gauteng, North-West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, the other provinces under our juris- diction,” he explained. Palesa Khambi, MBA North marketing manager, will drive the full-scale marketing campaign which will involve all sectors of the consumer and provincial media, radio and television, social electronic media, as well as having a presence at appropriate mass consumer exhibitions, such as the Rand Show. Mphomela said in endorsing the skills, work- manship and trustworthiness of members to consumers, MBA North would have to use every means at its disposal to ensure that people who entrusted work to members become completely satisfied customers, with the potential to ‘spread the word’ and also provide positive formal refer- rals. “MBA North will call on its Good Practice/ Disciplinary Committee to mediate in possible consumer disputes that require more than routine handling by our Association’s Legal Department. We envisage action by this special Committee to be required when, for example, a member regularly causes consumer complaints or commits a major, incontestable building error. Several past presidents of MBA North serve on this vastly experienced committee,” he explained. Master Builders Association (MBA) North has embarked on a new intensive marketing campaign aimed at persuading the consumer to entrust building and related work only to Master Builders. > MBA MARKETING CAMPAIGN

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE Master Builders South Africa (MBSA) has welcomed the unexpectedly high levels of building industry confidence reflected in the FNB/BER Building Confidence Index for the final quarter of 2014, and says it augurs well for an improved 2015 for the beleaguered building sector.

The FNB/BER Building Confidence Index, released on 1 December showed the highest level of confidence among building industry players since the beginning of 2008 and, according to the Index, confirmed that the building sector was now in the midst of a revival. The Index jumped up 15 points during the past quarter with main contractors’ confidence 13 index points higher, and subcon- tractors’ confidence up by three index points. Tumi Dlamini, executive director of MBSA, says the confident outlook of contractors approached for the final quarter of 2015 Index showed that, although the industry still faced formidable challenges, the small reprieve expe- rienced in the third quarter of the Index was gaining momentum. “There is now certainly potential for a much improved 2015. With this indication of higher hopes for the future, we expect that 2015 could be a turnaround year for the industry with an increase in building activities around the country. MBSA is also further encouraged by the fact that renewed confidence is now permeating across the rest of the building value chain, with the subcon- >

tractors’ confidence also having risen. Retailers have also benefitted from this recovery.” Dlamini said for an industry that had traded under extremely difficult conditions in 2014, with low margins and significantly decreased building activities throughout the country, the Index’s findings came at an opportune time just before the industry’s end-of-year shutdown. “Based on the urgency that we have seen from government to deliver the long-awaited infrastructural projects from its budget allo- cation of R847-billion, MBSA fervently hopes that 2015 will be the year in which this growth momentum for the industry is carried through. A re-energised and focused commitment by government to deliver on these vital infra- structure projects will augment the gains now reported in this Index. “MBSA believes that the recovery is sustainable and that the building and construction industry will in 2015 realise its potential to create and maintain increased levels of employment, and continue to play a significant role in the economy of South Africa,” Dlamini concludes.

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NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Allen Bodill has been named as the new executive director of the Master Builders Association of theWestern Cape (MBAWC), effective from 1 March 2015.

He replaces Rob Johnson, who passed away suddenly last year. According to Willem Vorster, who has been serving

Master Builders South Africa and amplified his experience of engaging with national suppliers and organs of the State. He is registered with the South African Council for The Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), The National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), and serves on the Council of the Building Industry Bargaining Council (BIBC). In addition, Bodill is a member of the Insti- tute of Certificated Mechanical and Electrical Engineers of South Africa (ICMEESA), and an associatemember of the South African Institute of Mechanical Engineers (SAIMechE).

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as the MBAWC’s acting executive director while a permanent replacement was sought, “Bodill brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in the industry and will greatly assist our association in achieving new strengths in the coming years.” Vorster continues, “He was selected for his extensive experience in the domestic, commercial, industrial and public sectors of the Cape Peninsula construction industry. He is also a highly competent strategic leader, who is adept at financial and budget management, human resource and stakeholder relationship management, labour relations and collective bargaining. He is also well-versed in construc- tion dispute-resolution and adjudication, resource and procurement management, as well as organisational marketing. In addition, Allen is knowledgeable about dealing with construction contractual and legal issues.” In 2010 Bodill was elected as president of the MBAWC, a position for which he was re-elected the following year. During his pres- idency he enjoyed extensive interaction with

Mohau Mphomela, exec- utive director of Master Builders Association (MBA) North, has announced that MBA North has launched a new, intensive market- ing campaign.

Allen Bodill, executive director of the MBAWC.

CONSTRUCTION WORLD MARCH 2015