Construction World March 2015

CONSTRUCTION WORLD

MARCH

2015

MARKETPLACE

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-

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.

MBA MARKETING

CAMPAIGN

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.

Mohau Mphomela, exec-

utive director of Master

Builders Association

(MBA) North, has

announced that MBA

North has launched a

new, intensive market-

ing 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.

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.

He replaces Rob Johnson, who passed

away suddenly last year. According to

Willem Vorster, who has been serving

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

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.

Allen Bodill,

executive

director of the

MBAWC.

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).