Construction World March 2016

QUARRYING

PRODUCTS WILL EASE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES As emerging market currencies take a pounding on world markets and the rand tests new lows against the USD, it is prudent for the local construction industry to seek more efficient ways of developing much needed infrastructure and housing.

for a tough time, Minnaar believes that precast concrete product suppliers will fare better as their products will provide ‘under-pressure’ contractors with faster and more efficient means of construction. “In order to effectively complete projects, Government and private sector investors will have to look at more efficient ways of construc- tion in future, with the use of high quality prod- ucts that will speed up installation and provide shorter project durations. Contractors too will have to operate more smartly and do careful calculations regarding materials, transport, installation and labour costs, in order to be more

Weighing in with some much needed positive input on current economic challenges, executive director of the

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Executive director of the Concrete Manufac- turers Association NPC (CMA), Frans Minnaar.

Concrete Manufacturers Association NPC (CMA), Frans Minnaar, says that the construction industry can weather the storm by ensuring faster and more efficient methods are employed to construct much needed infrastructure, roads and houses. He explains, “Bearing in mind that Govern- ment has to deliver on a fair amount of promised development projects to soothe the expectations of their support, it is not unreasonable to believe that many of these projects will have to be completed soon irrespective of economic data. On the upside With the expectation of tighter budgets and shorter delivery times that will be required to ease Government’s mounting delivery pressures, the answer to sustainable construction will lie in the use of more efficient techniques. While traditional building product suppliers may be in

“Simultaneously the use of precast concrete products will ensure stability in the work place with the provision of long term job security in factories. It is also well known that the use of precast concrete products are also creating short term jobs for local communities during the installation and placing of these products and it therefore serves a dual purpose as far as job creation is concerned”. “By simply changing the way we design and specify materials for building projects we have the potential to deliver more for less. While economic realities no-doubt has an impact on the delivery of infrastructure and housing, a shift to precast concrete has the opportunity to save end-users time and money to ensure development continues at an acceptable pace,”

efficient and competitive.” Smarter methods

“Rebuilds currently cost Government millions of rands per annum and with a move to quality precast concrete products (manufactured by CMA member producers) an opportunity exists to eliminate this problem and save additional Rands in years to come”.

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD MARCH 2016