Projects Magazine

South Africa‘s plantation area covers more than 1.5 million hectares, stretching over five provinces - Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern and Western Cape. “With the forestry industry in the summer rainfall areas nearing the fire season, forestry machinery not fitted with a fire suppression system will be at high risk,” warns John Russell, General Manager of Fogmaker South Africa, industry leading supplier of high pressure, water mist fire suppression systems. All diesel engine-operated machinery presents a fire risk and forestry equipment is certainly no exception. The accumulation of organic material within the hot engine compartment,hydraulic pipe failure and electrical faults are the most common causes of fire in these machines, putting billions of Rands of forests at risk. “Unsurprisingly, there is a growing demand for automatic fire detection and fire suppression systems within the forestry industry,” notes Russell. “Driven by a proactive stance taken by two of...

South Africa‘s plantation area covers more than 1.5 million hectares, stretching over five provinces - Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern and Western Cape. “With the forestry industry in the summer rainfall areas nearing the fire season, forestry machinery not fitted with a fire suppression system will be at high risk,” warns John Russell, General Manager of Fogmaker South Africa, industry leading supplier of high pressure, water mist fire suppression systems. All diesel engine-operated machinery presents a fire risk and forestry equipment is certainly no exception. The accumulation of organic material within the hot engine compartment,hydraulic pipe failure and electrical faults are the most common causes of fire in these machines, putting billions of Rands of forests at risk. “Unsurprisingly, there is a growing demand for automatic fire detection and fire suppression systems within the forestry industry,” notes Russell. “Driven by a proactive stance taken by two of...

Growthpoint Properties and Investec Asset Management, in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), have announced the commencement of operations of their pan-African real estate investment business, Growthpoint Investec African Properties (GIAP), which is managed by Growthpoint Investec African Property Management. GIAP has secured capital commitments in excess of US$212 million from several large institutional and international investors, with Growthpoint committing US$50 million. GIAP will seek to invest in income-producing commercial real estate assets in select cities across the African continent. Targeted investments will be further diversified by sector, with GIAP’s mandate spanning office, retail and industrial properties. “For Growthpoint, the commencement of GIAP furthers our stated strategy to introduce new revenue streams with our funds management business. The African fund was first announced in 2015 and has taken some time to get to this point on a...

Innovative Staffing Solutions, a subsidiary of Innovative Solutions Group™, has moved into a higher gear by introducing yet another truck to its fleet, thereby ensuring a platform for increased truck driver training. The company recently invested in a Renault Kerax truck and has now also acquired a Volvo truck, enabling it to train one truck driver every one-and-a-half hours. Since the beginning of the year, more than 600 truck drivers have been trained. “Having the dedicated on-site trucks is a huge advantage for our clients as it significantly reduces their truck downtime. At the same time, we ensure all drivers are properly trained with regards to safety regulations and measures to ensure their safety and those of others on the roads,” says Arnoux Maré, Managing Director of Innovative Staffing Solutions. Maré is quick to point out that no single approach can contribute to driver competency alone, however, he is confident that regular driver evaluation and corrective training can...

Thavhani City, the major economic centre in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, is set to be home to the largest flagship NHC medical day care clinic in South Africa and the first Builders Warehouse in the region. The first phase of Thavhani City, the 50,000sqm regional Thavhani Mall, opened on 24 August 2017, and has proven to be a resounding success and a powerful catalyst for the development rollout of the surrounding Thavhani City mixed-use urban precinct. Thavhani City is designed to be the future economic hub of Northern and Eastern Limpopo. In addition to Thavhani Mall, the master plan for Thavhani City includes private healthcare facilities, new transport terminals, a motor city, offices, hotels and a value retail centre. It will also feature community soccer fields and an outdoor gym, all linked with beautifully landscaped pedestrian walkways. Flanagan & Gerard Property Development and Investment, as part of Thavhani Property Investments, is driving the roll-out of the new modern ...

Chicago Pneumatic strenthened its foothold outside South Africa’s borders with the sponsorship of a CPPG5 (5.5Kva) petrol-driven portable generator at each of the three Mining & Technical Exhibitions (MTEs) held in Botswana during April 2018. Eben van der Vyver, Business Development Manager for Chicago Pneumatic Construction Equipment in South Africa, was joined by Columbus Magede from Chicago Pneumatic Botswana dealership, Utility Power based in Gaborone, for the hand-over of the portable generators to each of the lucky winners: Jonathan Sesinyi from Debswana Mine (Letlhakane MTE, 16th April), Peter Gaongalelwe Gasena from Morupule Coal Mine (Palapye MTE, 18th April) and Simon Hendrick Mooketsi from Debswana Mine (Jwaneng MTE, 20th April). ”To see the winners’ excitement was most rewarding, not to mention the tremendous interest they showed in the generator,” comments Van der Vyver. ”They asked us numerous questions about the product as well as the Chicago Pneumatic brand.” A...

Dynapac Construction Equipment announces its extended product offering by introducing a full range of Light Compaction equipment. The range, including rammers, forward and reversible plates, walk behind and articulated utility rollers, will widen the Dynapac portfolio and offering to its customers. “It’s great to announce to our customers who were eagerly awaiting the introduction of Dynapac light equipment to the market”, says Seby Joseph, Marketing Manager Light Equipment. He continues, “Our new light compaction range is based on well-known and high quality technology, adding tremendous value to our customers”. The global Dynapac sales and after-market sales network will fully support customers with technical service, training, parts and warranty support. Continued strategic investments will further strengthen the sales and support network as the Light Equipment will be available worldwide. To meet market demands, product introductions will begin during the second quarter of 20...

Industry leader in bearing and rotating technology, SKF, provided a complete power transmission solution for a longstanding key customer, one of southern Africa’s foremost cement suppliers who had been experiencing problems with a bucket elevator over a protracted period. The additives bucket elevator handles exceptionally abrasive and sticky materials such as natural and synthetic gypsum, limestone and slag. Frans Odendaal, SKF Product Manager, Power Transmission, explains that the machine already started giving problems in 2016 as a result of inappropriate chain selection for the particular application which was leading to costly unplanned downtime. “At that time we conducted a survey and made a few recommendations based on the existing chain condition. A few months later, in April 2017, the customer decided to not only replace the existing chain but to simultaneously upgrade the bucket elevator. Due to our earlier involvement, the customer approached SKF alongside a number of t...

SKF's latest Rolling Bearings Catalogue is now also available online and contains new features to assist customers in the selection of bearing arrangements for their projects. The aim of this new publication is to develop into an essential engineering reference for users of rolling bearings. The catalogue consists of the appropriate selection, configurations and applications as well as providing detailed guidance on the correct installation procedures to ensure a long and trouble-free life span. The Engineering Section has been updated and now includes a step-by-step bearing selection guide, 'Bearings Selection Process', which assists customers to select the correct bearing arrangement for their specific machine or project. This innovative tool, which is a result of SKF's vast experience of rolling bearing design, installation and in-service care, is also available as an online engineering resource for OEMs, SKF-approved distributors and other end-users. The Engi...

Industry leader in bearing and rotating technology, SKF, provided a complete power transmission solution for a longstanding key customer, one of southern Africa’s foremost cement suppliers who had been experiencing problems with a bucket elevator over a protracted period. The additives bucket elevator handles exceptionally abrasive and sticky materials such as natural and synthetic gypsum, limestone and slag. Frans Odendaal, SKF Product Manager, Power Transmission, explains that the machine already started giving problems in 2016 as a result of inappropriate chain selection for the particular application which was leading to costly unplanned downtime. “At that time we conducted a survey and made a few recommendations based on the existing chain condition. A few months later, in April 2017, the customer decided to not only replace the existing chain but to simultaneously upgrade the bucket elevator. Due to our earlier involvement, the customer approached SKF alongside a number of t...

With South Africa still in the grips of a three-week-long bus strike over salary increases, Innovative Staffing Solutions suggests outsourcing could be the answer to avoiding labour action and its attendant detrimental impact on the economy. Arnoux Maré, Managing Director of Innovative Staffing Solutions, says strikes at a local level could be avoided if organisations opted to outsource their staff. “We currently employ more than 8 000 staff members who we contract out to various clients. Our overwhelming experience is that if you take care of your staff, they will take care of you. Strike action is not a natural occurrence, but the result of an unanticipated or poorly managed situation,” explains Maré. Bus drivers have been on a three-week-long no-work no-pay strike over salary increases. They are demanding a 9.5% salary hike for the first year (2018) and 8.5 % for 2019, but employers are offering an 8% salary increase for this year, followed by 8.5% for the second year. To date, t...

Clariant Southern Africa, one of the world’s leading specialty chemical companies contributes to value creation with innovative and sustainable solutions for customers across in different sectors and industries. Key focus areas for the business include: Care Chemicals, Natural Resources, Catalysis & Energy and Plastics & Coatings. Clariant’s portfolio is designed to meet very specific needs with as much precision as possible. Internally, the organized into the following Business Units which serve the above Business Areas: - Additives - Catalysts - Functional Minerals - Industrial and Consumer Specialties - Masterbatches - Pigments - Oil and Mining Serviced