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MODERN MINING
September 2016
COMPANIES
O
utlining the rationale behind
the creation of ELBCON, Budd
says it was established to de-
risk the execution model of ELB
Engineering Services. “Prior to
the formation of ELBCON, ELB Engineering –
which primarily works on an EPC basis – re-
lied on contractors to undertake the construc-
tion work on its projects,” he states. “While
this model once worked reasonably well, it
started to break down perhaps a decade or so
Despite downturn ELBCON
ELBCON has upgraded materials handling facilities at the Matola coal terminal in Mozambique.
The decision by leading engineering solutions provider ELB Engineer-
ing Services to establish its own in-house construction arm – ELB Con-
struction (ELBCON) – just over five years ago is an initiative that has
paid off handsomely. ELBCON has brought new levels of responsive-
ness, control and competence to the on-site execution of ELB Engineer-
ing Services’ many projects throughout Africa and – with its reputation
now firmly established – is in the process of taking its service offering
beyond the boundaries of the ELB Group.
Modern Mining
recently
spoke to Trevor Budd (right), ELBCON’s Managing Director, who says
the company – notwithstanding current conditions in mining – is ex-
pecting its order book to grow significantly over the coming year.
ago, reflecting declining skills levels – particu-
larly a shortage of competent supervisory staff
– in the construction industry. ELB was in-
creasingly having to intervene directly on site
to ensure that work was completed to the qual-
ity standards required and within the budgets
and time scales specified.
“ELB Engineering Services’ Chief Executive,
Dr Stephen Meijers, was concerned by the
problems being encountered and was deter-
mined to do something about it. I had known