WBHO BUILDING AFRICA
LEADING PAN-AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT We take a look at WBHO Building Africa, and the company’s key projects and values within the continental construction space Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Eddie Clinton
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frica is rich with possibilities. From a vast agriculture industry with yet untapped potential, to a growth in technological implementation and advancing infrastructure, the continent is increasingly becoming a centre of development. Africa’s rapidly growing population is giving rise to an explosion in continental construction as the key sector driving the development of urban areas across multiple countries. With this increase in population comes larger and more complex construction projects and betterquality facilities, each led by key industry players. One such operator in the industry is WBHO Building Africa, a division that falls under the banner of the
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global Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO) Limited group. With its headquarters based in Sandton, South Africa, WBHO Africa is a multidisciplinary, international awardwinning construction company. The company’s motto, “Rely On Our Ability” demonstrates the commitment WBHO Building Africa holds in providing its clients, either large or small, with consistent quality and safety-first operations. “We stand firmly behind our motto because our commitment to delivering a high standard of construction practices is at the very heart of our business,” begins Deon Robinson, Managing Director of the division. “At WBHO Building Africa, we provide a hands-on approach to all construction projects, and our
CONSTRUCTION
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WBHO BUILDING AFRICA building divisions are recognised as market-leaders in their respective geographies. “We have a long-established reputation for reliability and safety that can be found in all of our public and private projects across numerous sectors in Africa, Australia and the UK.”
THE ADVANTAGE OF WBHO BUILDING AFRICA This quality and safety combination is part of what defines WBHO Building Africa stand out in the industry. On top of this, the company
has a goal-driven and determined team that proactively undertakes projects for the company’s range of clientele, working alongside them in a collaborative and professional manner. “It’s not just about being client orientated, purpose driven and focused on delivery, you have to negotiate the market, and to do this you need motivated staff who are happy to work,” Robinson elaborates. “We tend to interact with our staff on a personal and professional basis, and in that way, we are separate from a classic corporate environment.
WBHO BUILDING AFRICA – SERVICES AT A GLANCE
Roads and Earthworks:
Building and Civil Engineering:
• Mining infrastructure
• Retail
• Bulk earthworks
• Commercial offices
• Water infrastructure and dams
• Residential
• Energy infrastructure
• Healthcare
• Rail infrastructure
• Hotels and entertainment
• Pipeline infrastructure
• Warehousing and industrial
Design and Construction Projects:
• Data centres
• Airports
• Mining infrastructure
• Toll roads
• Industrial plants
• Renewable energy including wind, gas and solar
• Water infrastructure • Energy infrastructure including renewable energy
• Road work and bridges
• Serviced accommodation • Retail and commercial buildings
GardaWorld MANPOWER, EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE GardaWorld identified Mozambique as a key emerging market and set up our country headquarters in Maputo in 2011. We have since expanded our footprint throughout Mozambique with a second headoffice in Pemba serving Northern Mozambique and operations offices in Chimoio, Tete, Montepuez and ambitions to return to Palma. The agile security solutions we provide our clients are intelligenceled, using a layered solution to enable us to establish an early warning system and information network from as far out as possible. The solution is flexible and ensures an appropriate response is deployed in a timely fashion in order to mitigate any risks. This is complimented with the deployment of an independent (on site) command and control team — a highly trained, well-equipped and mobile security force, which is fully supported with communication tools, technology and, where appropriate, infrastructure security. We strive to achieve operational excellence through the use of local content, which, by its nature, acts as a useful risk mitigator. When coupled with being actively involved with the local community, local content serves to enhance the overall integrity of the solution. We adhere to a locals-first recruitment policy, supported by experienced expatriate management, and are fully compliant with all local laws, international best practice and the UN Global Human Rights framework. We work in a variety of sectors, with deep experience specifically in diplomatic and development agencies, natural resources, financial services, infrastructure, agriculture and retail. All our operations are fully certified to the highest international industry standards.
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Mozambique Palma
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Mining
Maputo
WBHO BUILDING AFRICA “What really helps us move these projects forward is our company’s horizontal organisational structure, that streamlines the management of on-site managers and employees when it comes to efficient decision making. WBHO Building Africa is dedicated to finishing projects on time, and we make sure that there is a harmonious work environment that allows maximum communications and collaboration between our partners, team and those of our clients. We have local subcontractors that we support, and critically we understand that they are just as much a factor towards our success as any other. This kind of mindset helps us forge long lasting relationships as we move forward.” For WBHO Building Africa, these reasons are central to the question of the company’s individuality in the industry, and this committed, and human-centred nature has helped the business expand in recent years. This company’s culture is an
important and overarching aspect of the business that echoes in the many plans and projects it carries out across multiple African countries, including South Africa, and in which logistics management is a top priority.
PROJECT BOTSWANA In South Africa, WBHO Building Africa successfully imports hundreds of containers of materials from all over the globe for uses in the construction industry, and it is thanks to the company’s site managers, engineers, and logistics and procurement team that these materials are delivered on site across Africa on time and within budget. These materials are destined for countries such as Botswana, where WBHO is carrying out projects led by committed employees and the core values of the company. “We have numerous projects being carried out at the moment, in Botswana and beyond,” Robinson says. “WBHO Building Africa’s Botswana-based projects include
GLOBAL OPERATIONS WBHO was established in 1970. The company’s offices are strategically located in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth in South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Lesotho and Ghana respectively. Its Australian subsidiaries, Probuild Constructions and WBHO Infrastructure have their headquarters in Melbourne; in the UK, the Byrne Group is based in London, while Russell Construction operates from Manchester.
Standard Bank At Standard Bank, we believe that any plan to stimulate Africa’s long term economic growth requires infrastructure build programs to feature prominently. Investment in productive infrastructure can create an economic multiplier effect through the provision of essential services and by facilitating the movement of people and goods across markets. Standard Bank Group provides a full suite of banking services to infrastructure projects and clients operating within the infrastructure value chain, tailoring solutions to meet their specific needs. We have deep sector and regional experience and have financed and advised on a range of infrastructure projects across the continent. This includes the Port of Maputo, the expansion of two ports in Cote d’Ivoire, the upgrade of rural roads via the Kenya Roads Programme in East Africa, and the upgrade of the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe which paves the way for enhanced integration and development in the SADC region. Our on-the-ground presence and extensive African footprint provides an unrivalled capability to partner our client base in unlocking opportunities for future growth and development across the all sub-sectors within the infrastructure value chain.
The Core values of the Company: • Strong culture of professionalism and respect • Responsive senior management who have extensive industry experience • Conservative approach to risk-taking outside of established construction standards • Capability to pursue opportunities across numerous geographies • Broad technical and sector specialisation • Ability to consistently execute and deliver both small and large-scale projects standardbank.com/cib
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WBHO BUILDING AFRICA the Botswana Accountancy College and a refurbishment of the Diamond Trading Centre (DTC), both of which are located in the capital city of Gaborone. “The first is a dual structure build and development project with the site totalling 7,995 metre-squared,
SUSTAINABILITY AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) Sustainability is integrated into both the governance and strategy of WBHO Building Africa. When measuring company progress towards sustainability, WBHO Building Africa is guided by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting guidelines and the GRI Construction and Real Estate Sector Supplement (CRESS). The pillars of WBHO Building Africa’s sustainability objectives: • Company employees • Health and safety • Transformation • Quality • Social economic development • Environment CSR WBHO Building Africa helps better the communities in which it operates through sourcing goods from local suppliers. This investment in the local community also involves employing as many local people as possible in a range of positions from labour to supervision, therefore integrating the business and the community for the benefit of both.large-scale projects
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based in the city’s Fairgrounds area. The construction of the two buildings, Block A (two storey) and Block B (five storey), includes all MEP&F services, finishes and a full tenant office space installation.” “The DTC refurbishment on the other hand, consists of four internal areas: installing metal lockers, opening up a computer room, the creation of an in-house working space, and the construction of changing rooms, that will help improve the overall employee experience within the building.
PROJECT GHANA The WBHO Ghana team consists of head office staff including HR, accountants and logistics managers as well as the site operational workforce staff including engineers, foremen and site managers who carry out ‘boots on the ground’ activities. “We realised that the market and economy in Ghana is picking up and we need to prepare ourselves for the
Diesel Electric Services Diesel Electric Services is proud to be associated with the Price Waterhouse Coopers Head Office situated in Waterfall City, owned by Attacq and developed by Atterbury, this is the first high rise within the precinct. Diesel Electric Services scope of work included the installation of 2 x 2200kVA generators with sound attenuation to ensure that maximum site noise level are not exceeded, 2 x 250kVA G7000 Schneider UPS’s, 23000Lt bulk diesel tank providing security and reliability of fuel. We have proven our in-house capabilities and knowledge pricing reliability and affordable back up power and reticulation industry.
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CONSTRUCTION
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Africa Outlook issue 94 | 9
WBHO BUILDING AFRICA post-COVID market in 2022 and 2023,” Robinson continues. “Our building division has been operating in the country for about 11 years, and there are currently two building projects that are underway. The first being a warehouse and civil works extension for AB InBev, the multinational drink and brewing company. This project is situated in Accra, with a total of 52 employees on site. “The second project is a threestorey office development for Gateway Real Estate Africa (GREA), in Appolonia, close to Oyibi in Accra. The GREA project is one of the first office blocks in this area, with a total of 135 employees on site.” Each of WBHO Building Africa’s projects are led by experienced staff with key values that forms the core of the business. The company’s operational site staff are motivated and have the ability to swiftly adapt to change, either at a project or management level.
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SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT – WBHO CONSTRUCTION (CROSS-BORDER PROJECTS) WBHO Construction has an established plant and services department, which provides a support function to site in the following disciplines: • Materials buying • Transport • Import and export function A three to four month “look ahead” is undertaken based on the planned activities, and a materials schedule is drawn up with a list of all materials required to execute such activities. These materials are then procured through a designated buyer in the plant and services department which is then delivered to WBHO Building Africa’s main store at Chloorkop in Midrand. The material is checked and loaded into a truck to be transported to site by road or see freight CHLOORKOP TO SITE Once the material is delivered to the site, WBHO Building Africa’s site store ensures building material stock is always at a sufficient level to ensure no downtime is experienced by site operational staff. A site engineer is assigned to assist with material selection and to oversee that the process is always running efficiently.
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Established in 2009 with a team of few committed and hard-working experts in the temperature management field, Fox Cooling Group has become a large organization employing hundreds of professionals and is considered one of the leaders of HVAC contractors in the region. Additionally, Being the official Distributor of the worlds No 1 air-conditioning company DAIKIN which is a leading innovator and worldwide provider of advanced, high – quality air conditioning and heating solutions for residential, commercial and industrial applications Fox Cooling Group has associated itself with some of the most reputed brands in the industry and worked on some of the largest projects in Africa. Our vision is to Keep our stakeholders at the heart of everything we do, we provide sustainable and life changing services across Africa. Some of our accomplished projects include works of HVAC, temperature management project design, product supply, installation, servicing, and repair. The Fox Cooling team as well as our partners are all aligned with our core values of quality, reliability, trust, and sustainability. We believe that our work makes people’s lives better and we are committed to add positive value to our stakeholders, our clients, and our environment.
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WBHO BUILDING AFRICA PROJECT ZAMBIA This project saw the refurbishment of the ionic InterContinental Lusaka Hotel (previously the Grand Old Lady). The project consisted of stripping out and demolishing the existing structure, and the reconstruction was made up of converting the existing eastern wing in to a modern vibrant 162-key Holiday Inn three-star hotel, while also turning the western wing into a 106-key
COMPANY VALUES WBHO Building Africa recognises that accountability and transparency are fundamental to investor trust and commercial sustainability. In order to provide a clear and transparent view of how the organisation is run, and by whom, along with the responsibilities and principles that guide and inform its decision-making, the corporate governance structures and processes of the organisation are made transparent. GUIDING PRINCIPLES WBHO Building Africa endorses, and is committed to, the recommendations of: • The Companies Act • The JSE Listings Requirements WBHO Building Africa recognises that being a ‘good corporate citizen’ requires the organisation to deliberate and act with fairness, responsibility, transparency and accountability, and to consider more than just its financial performance, appraising the short- and long-term impacts of its operations on society and the environment at the same time.
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five-star hotel with the emphasis on space and up-market executive and presidential suites. “The refurbishment is designed to create a social attraction in Lusaka,” Robinson continues. “The conference facilities are being upgraded to introduce new technological advancements, and external works to the pool area are included in the upgrade.” Through WBHO Building Africa’s longstanding history and presence in
Zambia the company has built up an extensive and reputable management team consisting of site agents, quantity surveyors, engineers and foremen. “We have built relationships with our sub-contractors who have bought into our culture and values. With this relationship we have two weekly collaborative meetings where the procurement of the material for the works is prioritised and tracked by a long lead schedule,” Robinson explains.
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“WE RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF OPERATING IN A SUSTAINABLE MANNER, THUS MEETING THE NEEDS OF TODAY WITHOUT JEOPARDISING OUR ABILITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF TOMORROW” - WBHO BUILDING AFRICA “We listen to our sub-contractors and know that without them and our collaborative teams, the projects could not reach the high level of completion and client satisfaction.
PROJECT LESOTHO Only recently awarded, Polihali Village is another of WBHO Building Africa’s projects and will be based in Mokhotlong District (Lesotho). This project will entail the construction of permanent housing, a visitor’s lodge, a school, a recreational centre and sports facilities at Polihali Village with a gross site area of 14,500 metres squared. The planned construction of 93 houses, 9,000 metres squared in total,
with comprise of four prototypes. The village will be built in two phases: the school, recreational centre and 60 percent of the houses being a phase two deliverable. The lodge is a multistorey recreational concrete structure (5,000 metres squared) which is made up of the main lodge building, chalets, a gym, enclosed links and landscaping. The building is located on top of the mountain which overlooks the future dam wall and reservoir.
LOOKING AHEAD For WBHO Building Africa, panAfrican consolidation is very much a focal point of future endeavours, with the company aiming to increase and support its activities in those areas
in which it is currently operating, especially in the face of the lingering uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. By placing its focus on its existing regions, of South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho and Ghana, WBHO Building Africa is strengthening a position from which it aims to meet the expected rise in demand entering 2022 and 2023. Building on its reputation in the African construction sphere, the future remains full of exciting potential for the company, its contractors and all those who work to make WBHO Building Africa what it is.
WBHO BUILDING AFRICA Tel: +27 11 321 7200 deonr@wbho.co.za www.wbho.co.za
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WBHO BUILDING AFRICA 53 Andries str, Wyneberg, Sandton, P. O Box531 Bergvlei 2021, South Africa. Tel: +27 11 321 7200 deonr@wbho.co.za www.wbho.co.za PRODUCED BY AFRICA OUTLOOK MAGAZINE