21
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
OCTOBER
2015
bilities for its customers by providing conven-
ient, one-stop concrete solutions including the
development of fit-for-purpose mix designs,
testing the quality of raw materials, propor-
tionally mixing the material, slump testing and
delivery to site. “Contractors can focus on their
core business being construction, while having
peace of mind that the experts in concrete
technology are taking care of their concrete
solution requirements,” Tomes says
AfriSam has built a solid reputation of
working collaboratively with the industry to
provide sustainable concrete solutions.
AfriSam’s Centre of Product Excellence is
actively involved in day-to-day customer
interactions assisting with technical queries
and providing ongoing support. The support
function is performed by a team of skilled and
experienced individuals who fully understand
the science of the materials and how these
perform, and also have an appreciation of
the finished product as well as the challenges
contractors face in handling and applying the
product on site.
AfriSam is considered one of the leaders
in Durability Index testing in South Africa
and offers durability testing to its customers.
These tests include water sorptivity, chloride
conductivity and oxygen permeability, all of
which are designed to assess the working life
of the structures being built with AfriSam’s
concrete products. Enhanced durability mixes
are easier to place and generate less heat of
hydration which prevents thermal cracking
while reducing the carbon footprint.
Another function of the Centre of Product
Excellence is ongoing product development.
AfriSam produces a number of bespoke
products and is also involved in customising
mixes that are perfectly suited to the custom-
er’s specific application requirements. “This
process starts with a comprehensive under-
standing of the customer needs and require-
ments and is followed by an in-depth test
programme in the Centre’s laboratory. The
end product is guaranteed to have the neces-
sary integrity and meet the most stringent
quality requirements. We therefore regard
our product laboratory as an important part
of customer support, providing substantial
benefit to our customers.”
“These developments form part of our
strategy to be truly customer focused in order
to unlock value for customers through innova-
tive concrete solutions. The response across
the industry has been extremely favourable
and is proof that we’re making headway on
our journey to delivering a whole new level of
service to our customers,” Tomes concludes.
Through its partnership with CLF, AfriSam is pioneering
some of the latest trends in concrete technology such as
a patented seamless concrete flooring system.
AfriSam’s Centre of Product
Excellence conducts ongoing
product development and is
actively involved in day-to-day
customer interactions assisting
with technical queries and
providing ongoing support.
AfriSam has strategically and systemat-
ically increased its readymix capacity to
ensure that contractors have access to
consistent quality concrete solutions for
major projects. AfriSam recently com-
missioned what is deemed to be their
single largest stationary readymix plant
in operation in South Africa, at beginning
of April, at its Jukskei operation.
AfriSam’s size, scale and experience as well as
its innovative approach to partnerships and
concrete technology enables the company to
create concrete possibilities for its customers.