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QUARRYING

Weighing in with some much needed

positive input on current economic

challenges, executive director of the

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

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

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”.

47

CONSTRUCTION WORLD

MARCH

2016

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.

>

“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,”

Executive director of the Concrete Manufac-

turers Association NPC (CMA), Frans Minnaar.