Since 1989

Sept-Oct 2019, Vol 30 No.5

Africa's leading construction journal

The Great Mosque Of Algiers:

Africa’s Largest Mosque

House Rendering in Construction

Highly-Lively Affordable Homes
Technology in construction
NEW
tononoka.com #Chuma

Tononoka Group
At the Core of every Construction

QUALITY REINFORCEMENT Give us the cut and bend

schedule we shall do the rest
STEEL BARS
Tononoka Group has over the years made it their business in
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manufactured and supplied from their mills.
We are guided by best practice when it comes to manufacturing
and that has made us acquire awards such as ʻ2019 Best
Reinforcement Steel Manufacturerʼ, we have been voted for the
second year as a Superbrand and remain one of the only steel
manufacturer with ISO Certification Status.
Our reinforcement steel section remains one of the bussiest and
produces rebars from 8mm to 32mm and special sizes on client
request. We have a state of the art cut & bend machine which
provides services that will reduce your construction cost as well as
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count on Tononoka Group.
 CON
MANAGING EDITOR
Robert Barnes

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR

Francis Makari

EDITOR - in - CHIEF
Dennis Ayemba

COUNTRY EDITORS
Uganda
Uganda -- Betty
Betty Nabakooza
Nabakooza
Nigeria
Nigeria -- Boladale
Boladale Ademiju
Ademiju
South
South Africa - Jimmy Swira
Africa - Jimmy Swira
WRITERS
WRITERS
YvonneAndiva,
Yvonne Andiva,Dorcas
PatrickKang'ereha,
Mulyungi, Since 1989

Pascal
Pascal Musungu, Anita
Musungu, Anita Anyango,
Anyango
Teresia Njoroge
Current Issue
Sept-Oct 2019, Vol 30 No.5

Africa's leading construction journal

WEB & GRAPHIC DESIGN

WEB &Margaret
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Atieno
Arnold Oduor
In this issue we look at the largest mosque
Sales and Marketing Manager
Sales Ken
andOkore
Marketing mosque in Africa which also has the tallest
Faith Mburu
ADVERTISING
minaret in the world
ADVERTISING
Kenya: William Mutama, Lilian Khavosa,
Kenya: William Mutama, Lilian Khavosa,
Fredrick Otieno
Fredrick Otieno
South Africa: Thuli Nkosi, Winnie Sent-
South Africa: Rachel Molapo, Winnie
abire, Angeline Ntobeng,
Sentabire, Angeline Ntobeng,
Uganda:
Uganda: Nobert
Nobert Turiyo,
Turiyo, Selina
Selina Salumah
Salumah
Namuli
Namuli
Botswana:
Botswana: Dickson
Dickson Manyudza,
Manyudza, Gerald
Gerald
Mazikana
Mazikana
Ethiopia: Haimanot
Ethiopia: Haimanot Tesfaye,
Tesfaye, Ruth
Ruth Girma
Girma

Tanzania: Tom
Tanzania: Tom Kiage
Kiage
REGULARS
Malawi: Anderson
Malawi: Anderson Fumulani
Fumulani

Ghana:
Ghana: Samuel
Samuel Hinneh,
Hinneh, Caleb
Hadjah
Caleb Donne
Donne Editor's Comment 3
Hadjah

Zambia: Susan Kandeke

Corporate News 4
Zimbabwe: Chiedza Chimombe

Rwanda: Collison Lore

Events 5
Nigeria: Seni Bello

China:Weng Jie
Management 6
The editor accepts letters and manuscripts for
publication from readers all over the world.
Include your name and address as a sign of good Opinion 8
faith although you may request your name to be
withheld from publication. We reserve the right
to edit any material submitted . COVER STORY:

Send your letters to: The Great Mosque of Algiers: 10

info@constructionreviewonline.com Technology In Construction: Effects of technology on the
Construction Review
Review isis published
publishedeleven
six times
timesa construction industry 18
a yearand
year andisiscirculated
circulatedtoto members
members of
of relevant
associations, governmental bodies and other House Rendering: Long term effects of house rendering in construction 22
personnel in the building and construction Precast Technology: Highly-lively homes for todays african families 26
industry as well as suppliers of equipment,
materials and services in Africa, the Middle
and Far East. The editor welcomes articles and
photographs for consideration. Material may not
Published by Group Africa Publishing Ltd
be reproduced without prior permission from
the publisher. The publisher does not accept Head Office and for all enquiries: E-mail: botswana@groupafricapublishing.com
responsibility for the accuracy or authenticity of Consolidated Bank House, 4th floor, Koin-
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advertisements or contributions contained in the
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TENT
Technology In Construction
Editor's Comment
Sept - Oct 2019 Volume 30 No. 5

Precast can be the answer to Africa’s housing

deficit
The construction industry has proven
transformational in the last few
An acceptable building for a home should, first
years, leading the way in adopting of all, be affordable and of a decent quality, with
new digital tools and tech-infused sufficient living space, good structural stability and
concepts. located in a sustainable neighborhood. Recently,
when high-quality, energy-efficient buildings
have been the target, the modern, design-focused
precast concrete has repeatedly been selected as the

18
construction method.

Precast concrete is a proven, industrialised building

method. Even if installation still takes place at
the construction site, the main part of the work
is transferred from the chaos of a building site to
House Rendering
controlled, organised factory conditions.

A house that is covered by a render is
virtually waterproof which ensures
its longevity and strategical integrity
for many decades to come.
In addition, housing units are still completed within
a reasonable time, cost-efficiently and in a safe
manner. It is a smart and industrialized way to
construct cost-efficient houses.
People need safer and more comfortable places to
live, and prices need to be reasonable. Therefore,
the acceptable home needs to match expectations of
future home owners and tenants.

22 To sum up, good quality and low life-cycle costs

of precast concrete buildings make them an
attractive choice for home owners. Add that to the
short construction time and cost efficiency of the
Project: Saif properties excite kenyan market 30 construction process and you get an optimal choice
Project: Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) headquarters, for large housing projects.
central business district – abuja, nigeria 32
Robert Barnes
Profile: Roofings group: 25 years of making steel that builds the nation 34
Profile: Stainless steel ltd: home to the best commercial kitchen equipment 37

Email: ghana@constructionreviewonline.com Rwanda Agent

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Email: nigeria@constructionreviewonline.com Dar-es-salaam
 CORPORATE NEWS

Sika commissions Vectorworks announces

new mortar factory in 2020 Version of BIM and
Cameroon Design
Sika is expanding its presence in West Global design and BIM software
Africa and starting operations in a provider Vectorworks, Inc. has
new facility for mortars in Cameroon. announced the 2020 release
of Vectorworks Architect,
Following the foundation of the
Landmark, Spotlight, Designer
national subsidiary in 2016 and the and Fundamentals, as well as 2020
opening of a concrete admixture plant versions of Vision and Braceworks.
in 2017, the company is now investing This newest release brings improved
in a new mortar manufacturing software performance, quality
Himonsa Director Lydia Garcia (Centre) cutting of ribbon for the new office in Morocco
enhancements and new data-driven
facility. In total, Sika has 22 factories
on the high-growth African continent. work-flows.
The current business year has already
HIMOINSA opens a subsidiary in Morocco “Data and usability are the
seen investments in new facilities in cornerstones of this year’s
Egypt and Senegal. product line enhancements,” said
After 18 years operating in the Moroccan market, HIMOINSA has
Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar.
decided to open a sales office in Casablanca, with a local technical
team and a warehouse area for stocking generator sets, lighting Sika will use its new mortar products “When we looked at the future of the
towers and spare parts in order to offer an even faster response to factory, located in the major city of industry and what our customers’
the market. Douala, to expand its product portfolio needs were, we kept coming back
to data, particularly data-driven
and supply customers in Cameroon’s
insights. Vectorworks 2020 is
The inaugural event, held at the new facilities located in Zenata construction market with locally centered around providing our
(Casablanca), was attended by part of the HIMOINSA executive manufactured products. customers with intuitive ways to use
management team, as well as Moroccan companies which the
the powerful tools of our products,
company has been working with within the country for several
years. The event was also attended by authorities from the Spanish “We are continually expanding our while also offering more practical
diplomatic offices in Morocco, as well as specialised press from the business on the African continent and ways to incorporate the use of data
industrial and energy sector. are recording the strongest growth for an improved and insightful
design work-flow,” he added.
rates in the EMEA region,” said Ivo
Lydia Gracia, Executive Director of HIMOINSA, says the opening Schädler, EMEA Regional Manager. With this focus on insightful design,
of the Moroccan subsidiary is a strategic project for HIMOINSA.
Vectorworks 2020 extends the
“The new facilities will allow us to support not only the Moroccan
“Over the past four years, we have existing Data Visualization feature
market but also the West African countries with whom we have been
working for almost two decades,” she adds. increased sales by an average of 22%/ to the design layer environment.
year. Our investments in expansion This lets customers change objects’
attributes using data parameters to
This is the company’s third sales office in the African continent, will create the basis for further market
visualize data for error checking,
following the opening of HIMOINSA Angola in 2012 and penetration in Africa, where the boom work validation and quality control.
HIMOINSA Southern Africa in 2016. in the construction industry is being
driven by high population” he added

K-Tec signs MOU with JDC Corporation of Japan to promote earth-moving scrapers

K-Tec Earthmovers Inc. has announced the signing
of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with
JDC Corporation of Japan for promoting K-Tec’s
efficient earth-moving scrapers in ASEAN
Countries. The agreement with JDC Corp, signals
K-Tec’s business strategy to geographically
diversify and partner with forward-thinking,
global enterprises.
Signing of K-TEC and JDC MOU
JDC Corporation whose headquarters is
located in Tokyo, Japan, aims to pursue a
better relationship between people and the
environment to embody its corporate mission
‘For the Better, For the Brighter’. JDC
Corporation takes on challenges in every
field of construction, based on improving the
Earth and creating comfortable environments.
JDC Corporation has expertise in Civil
construction projects and Solar Fields.
JDC Corporation’s Chief Executive
Officer, Takeo Asakura noted that JDC had
been seeking a scraper with high-speed
performance to achieve a major breakthrough
in large earthworks, and finally found that
K-Tec is the solution.
“JDC was established in 1951 and since then,
we have been developing our skills with
highly efficient machines in earthmoving. We
are going to reinforce K-Tec’s performance in
Japan and will expand it into Asian countries
shortly. The alliance between JDC and K-Tec
makes me sure that it will lead us to our great
success,” he added.
K-Tec Earthmovers Inc. Chief Financial Officer,
Mike Palitsky stated that K-Tec is extremely
excited to partner with JDC Corporation of
Japan and have worked diligently to nurture
our relationship. “We believe that the signing
of this MOU is a major step for our mutual goal
to further earthmoving technology in Japan
and the ASEAN countries which will greatly
benefit both of our organizations now and for
the foreseeable future,” he affirmed.
K-Tec Earthmovers stands behind its scrapers
with a market leading 3-Year structural
warranty on new scrapers, and can provide
convenient and affordable overseas shipping of
scrapers inside a sea container.

4 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com

 EVENTS

Future Energy Nigeria The Big 5 Construct Kenya 4th Regional Energy
Under the patronage of the Ministry of Transport, Summit: West Africa
Future Energy Nigeria (formerly known Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public
The 4th annual edition of RES: West
as the West African Power Industry works, The Big 5 Construct Kenya will return to Kenyatta
Africa will make its first appearance
Convention) is the largest and longest International Convention Centre (KICC) from 5 – 7
in Dakar, Senegal, from 2-3 December
running regional power & energy conference November 2019.
2019 at the King Fahd Palace Hotel.
and exhibition in West Africa. The event RES: West Africa will bring together
boasts an opening keynote address from As the official exhibition of Kenya’s National Construction
over 300 investors, project leaders
leaders from the region, strategic conference Week organized by the National Construction Authority
and utilities stakeholders to engage
sessions and a large trade exhibition as well (NCA), The Big 5 Construct Kenya will showcase top local
and present the latest developments
as multiple networking opportunities. and international construction brands and offer free access
on enhancing the energy mix within
to education sessions, providing a platform where visitors
the wider West Africa region.
can network, do business and keep updated on investment
The event also offers a Nigerian Utility CEO
opportunities in the country.
Forum, this is by invitation only for utility, The Summit will feature project
Disco and Genco CEOs to meet under focused discussions on Gas, Wind and
Muhammed Kazi, Portfolio Director at dmg events
Chatham House Rules and discuss pressing hydro and will showcase investment
commented: “We are excited to bring back The Big 5
issues. opportunities through regional anchor
Construct Kenya 2019. Following a 70% growth of the
projects, infrastructure financing and
exhibition in 2018, we are delighted to announce that the
There is so much happening at the leading the future of renewable energy within
event continues to grow this year with all new country
power and energy conference and exhibition Senegal and beyond.
pavilions. We look forward to contributing to Kenya’s
in Nigeria. From networking events to National Vision 2030 and Big Four Agenda.”
free-to-attend knowledge hubs you’ll have Event: The 4th annual edition of RES:
West Africa
the opportunity to connect with industry
Date: 2nd – 3rd December, 2019
colleagues, source new suppliers and
Venue: King Fahd Palace Hotel,
find out about the latest technologies and
Dakar, Senegal
innovations.

Event: Future Energy Nigeria

Date: 12th- 13th November, 2019
Venue: Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, Nigeria

Kenya Ethiopia - Construction Regulation Board (CRB)

- Architectural Association of Kenya - Association of Ethiopian Architects - Tanzania’s Registration Board of Architects
- Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya - Ethiopian Association of Civil Engineers and Quantity Surveyors (AQSRB)
- Institute of Engineers of Kenya - Construction Contractors Association of Ethiopia
- Association of Consulting Engineers of - Kenya
- Association of Professional Societies of East Zimbabwe Nigeria
Africa APSEA) - Zimbabwe Institute of Quantity Surveyors - Association of Consulting Engineers Nigeria
- Kenya Property developers Association - Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers - Association of Professional Women
- Institution of Surveyors of Kenya - The Construction Industry Federation of
Association Partners

South Africa - ASAQS - SAICE
- South African Council for the Quantity Ghana
Surveying Profession
- Khuthaza ( Women for Housing)
- Concrete Manufacturers Association
- Green Building council of SA
- South African Property Owners Association
- Master Builders South Africa
Uganda
- Institute of Surveyors of Uganda
- Uganda Institute of Professional Engineers (UIPE)
& Uganda society of Architects
Engineers Of Nigeria
Zimbabwe (Cifoz)
- Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria
- The Nigerian Institute of Architects
- Ghana Institute of Engineers
- American Association of Petroleum
- Architects Registration Council
Geologists Africa Region
- Ghana Institute of Surveyors
- Ghana Green Builders Association - Nigeria Society of Engineers
- Ghana Institute of Planners - Nigeria Institute of Architects
- Association of Building and Civil Engineering
- Building and Construction Skilled Artisans
Contractors of Ghana
Association of Nigeria (BACSAAN)
Namibia
- Institute of Namibian Quantity Surveyors Zambia
Association of Consulting Engineers of Namibia
- Zambia Institute of Architects (ZIA)

Botswana Tanzania - Association of Building and Civil Engineering

- Institute of Botswana Quantity Surveyors - Tanzania Institute of Quantity Surveyors Contractors (ABCEC).

www.constructionreviewonline.com Sept - Oct 2019 | CR 5

 MANAGEMENT
MANAGING DUST AND DEBRIS DURING BUILDING
REMODELING OR RENOVATIONS
T
here is a whole other problem many
homeowners don’t consider early
on, and that is the problem of dust
and debris accumulation.
Renovation, be it commercial or residential, can
be an exhaustive task, and it can be quite a costly
project. If you are thinking about expanding
your living environment, or if you are tearing
down a room to reinvent it completely, you need
to prepare both financially and logistically in
order to avoid wasting resources, and conduct
a smooth renovation project from start to finish.
However, there is a whole other problem many
homeowners don’t consider early on, and that
is the problem of dust and debris accumulation.
Through the reconstruction project, the
materials and construction processes you
use will inevitably produce various toxic
compounds, ranging from VOCs, lead, asbestos,
to dust and debris that will penetrate the very
foundation of your home and the entirety of
your living environment. The following are the
steps to prevent this and keep dust and debris
under control.
Understand the dangers of dust and
debris
What is the big deal, right? You will just get a
mop and some cleaning agent and tidy up the
house once the renovations are over. Well, that
might not be such a good long-term idea. First
off, there is no way that you can successfully
eliminate all of the hazardous particles form the
fabrics on the furniture, or the various nooks
and crannies where they might have hidden
during the construction process. And secondly,
allowing these particles to accumulate can lead
to numerous health issues in the long term.
6 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com
Because many dust particles and toxic
compounds will become airborne, you will
inevitably inhale them, which may cause
irritation, inflammation, and long-term
respiratory issues. If you are working with lead,
you should definitely wear protective oxygen
masks because lead fumes are highly toxic. And
if you are working with sand, rock, or mineral
ores, you will let dangerous particles of silica
into your living environment, which will cause
silicosis.
Factor debris containment into your
budget
Now that you understand the dangers, you can
start reworking your renovation budget so that
it accommodates the costs of dust and debris
control, sanitation, and elimination. Don’t set
these costs aside, but rather integrate them into
the preliminary stages of the project so that you
can allocate enough resources for protective
equipment, machinery, transportation, disposal,
and more.
Always have a contingency plan in place, and
set aside at least 10% more for unexpected
expenses, especially when you are calculating
the amount of debris your project is going
to produce – chances are that it will be more
than you have initially thought. Talk to your
contractor to gain a better insight into the scope
of the entire project, with a focus on efficient
and effective waste management and removal.
Take the furniture
Now, you can’t avoid or prevent the production
or accumulation of waste, dust, debris, and
other potentially dangerous particles, but you
can prevent these compounds from polluting
the most important parts of your living
environment. These are of course, the furniture
and other appliances and amenities you can
easily transport into a safe storage space.
And that is exactly what you should do. Hiring
a truck to haul your stuff to a storage unit is a
cost-effective solution, especially if you turn
to affordable solutions that fit your needs and
can easily accommodate all of the furniture and
essentials that you plan to move. Now that all
of your precious stuff is out of the building,
you can start covering up the things you can’t
move, and not worry about any toxic elements
penetrating the material.
Protect the floor and all stationary
features
It is important to cover up all of the things you
can’t get out of the house in order to protect them
from spills, accidental dings and scratches, and
of course, to prevent hazardous particles from
settling into their various nooks and crannies.
To do this successfully, you will need tarpaulin,
and lots of it.
Tarp is one of the best and most durable
sheeting materials out there, and it is frequently
used in building renovations, and for a number
of compelling reasons. Use heavy-duty tarp to
protect your floors, and cover all of the areas
that you are not remodeling. Let the dust and
debris accumulate on the tarp, and then simply
wash it off when you are done.
RELIABILITY.
CONVENIENCE.
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Get the right fit for your machine

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A Caterpillar Brand. See how this line
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your Cat machines strikes the right
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reliability at more affordable price.
Talk to your dealer or visit
Yellowmark.com to learn more.

© 2019 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, YELLOWMARK, their
respective logos, “Caterpillar Yellow”, the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress as well as corporate
and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission.
 OPINION
Nick Nicholas; Application Engineer and
Technical Director for Genesis Water
Technologies, Inc
Access to sustainable and safe drinking water
and sanitation is very important to meeting
millennium development goals. However,
current practices for water & wastewater
treatment across Africa are typically insufficient
in ensuring water safety.
8 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com
CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS IN
THE WATER AND WASTEWATER
TREATMENT INDUSTRY IN AFRICA
C
onstruction Review had a an
exclusive interview with Nick
Nicholas, the Application Engineer/
Technical Director for Genesis Water
Technologies, Inc, to discuss the challenges
facing the water and wastewater treatment
industry in Africa and their remedies
In this role and previous roles with GWT, Mr.
Nicholas has coordinated and led a global
team of technical professionals in designing
and building custom built water & waste water
treatment system solutions for industrial,
commercial, and municipal clients within the
USA and across the world.
1. HOW DOES GENESIS WATER SEE
THE AFRICAN WATER & WASTEWATER
TREATMENT MARKET?
The increasing population growth and the
expansion of industrial development have
led to growing water scarcity across Africa.
This combined with deficient drinking water
& sanitation services, represents critically
important challenges, especially in regions
across sub-Saharan Africa.
Grey water and wastewater reclamation is a
promising approach to reducing water scarcity
in Africa. This process serves as a motivating
force for improved sanitation services and
the protection of the environment by treating
wastewater and redeploying this treated
water for the benefit of applications including
irrigation, agriculture and other non-potable
applications.
Genesis Water Technologies, an innovative US
based global water & wastewater engineering
Solutions Company, sees the African water
treatment market striving closer to meet the
Millennium Development Goals (MDG)
established by the World Health Organization
(WHO).
Access to sustainable and safe drinking water
and sanitation is very important to meeting
millennium challenge development goals.
Current practices for water & wastewater
treatment across Africa are typically insufficient
in ensuring water safety. One of the main
challenges is development of a structure that
can assist in the integration of technological
solutions and social impact management efforts
that enhance water education to the citizens and
private sector within Africa.
2. WHICH ARE THE MOST POPULAR
WASTEWATER TREATMENT METHODS
BEING APPLIED IN AFRICA CURRENTLY?
Some of the common and antiquated methods
include activated sludge treatment, combined
trickling filter plant and stabilization
ponds. These are currently being phased
out and replaced with more advanced and
sustainable technologies including moving bed
bioreactor technology (MBBR), specialized
electrocoagulation and the utilization of
tertiary wastewater filtration with ultraviolet
disinfection. All of these technologies are also
provided by Genesis Water Technologies.
The drinking water methods most common in
treating predominantly groundwater and to a
lesser degree surface water include using some
sort of physical /chemical process followed by
disinfection using chlorine.
These drinking water methods are not
sustainable any longer, especially for water
with mineral contamination, microbiological
contamination which causes waterborne
disease or water contaminated with heavy
metals or other organics and chemicals such as
hydrocarbons.
3. WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES IN
THE AFRICAN MARKET IN TERMS OF
INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE?
– Training & Educational Awareness
It is imperative to provide training on the
operation and maintenance of the wastewater
treatment facilities. Without proper training the
facilities cannot work optimally. In all cases
qualified operators and managers can ensure
the smooth operations of these facilities in the
private and public sector.
There would also be the establishment of
maintenance mechanisms/protocols to enable
the facility to run sustainably.
Educational awareness is necessary to promote
public awareness on the link between water
and energy, water and health, as well as water
conservation to enable greater societal impact,
economic impact, and a reduction of disease
associated with drinking water and the damage
to the surrounding environment.
In certain public sector cases with appropriate
public sector regulation and support, a public/
private partnership (PPP) can be established
where private sector experience can augment,
train and work hand in hand with government
agencies to operate effectively.
– Political Will
In Africa, the water sector has not had the
investment and regulations required to allow for
sustainable clean drinking water and efficient
wastewater treatment. However, recently as
the effects of water scarcity and water borne
diseases have become more apparent, this is
looking to change.
It is strongly advised, on a governmental level,
to establish good governance with improved
institutional framework and mechanism.
The regulatory authorities shall also initiate
and enforce legislation framework and rules
to require industries to establish on‐site pre‐
treatment facilities, reducing the burden on
existing municipal treatment plants.
In addition, municipalities with less dense urban
populations shall have the implementation of
www.constructionreviewonline.com Sept - Oct 2019 | CR
decentralized drinking water or wastewater
treatment making it economically feasible and
sustainable than a large centralized treatment
approach in these locations.
The management of drinking water quality,
wastewater discharge, and frankly solid waste
disposal need to be improved significantly. This
challenge can be overcome with the proper
expertise, guidance, procedures and execution
plan in place.
– Establishment of Labs Suitable
for Testing Water Quality to WHO
guidelines and standards
Many African countries have adopted the use of
World Health Organization (WHO) standards
for drinking water quality and for wastewater
treatment discharge. However, lack of proper
monitoring instrumentation and lab analysis
equipment leads to the inability to test water
that is compliant with WHO standards.
For better plant maintenance and governance,
new analytical equipment procedures will need
to be implemented.
4. WHAT DO YOU THINK CAN BE DONE
TO OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES?
Each of these challenges identified above, will
need to be handled one by one.
In regard to training & educational awareness,
this can be accomplished through working
with governmental and UN agencies including
(Water/Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) to
consult with them and provide better awareness
on societal impacts of clean water and hygiene
practices.
Implementation of certain rules and regulations
which apply to industries by awarding industrial
users who meet compliance standards to WHO
guidelines and fine those users that do not
comply with strict fines.
Introduction of innovative technologies for
both decentralized drinking water & wastewater
treatment based on geographic location.
In addition, the implementation of retrofits for
existing centralized treatment plants making
them more efficient, reliable and sustainable.
9
 COVER STORY

THE GREAT MOSQUE OF ALGIERS: AFRICA'S

LARGEST MOSQUE

T
owering over Algiers, the finished Djamaa el Djazaïr also known as The Great Mosque of Algiers is certainly a
striking architectural landmark. Constructed by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC)
the US $1bn Great Mosque is set to break new global records.

Construction of the mosque began in August 2012 after the construction contract was won
by CSCEC. The design was done by German architects KSP Juergen Engel Architekten
and engineers Krebs und Kiefer International.

Commissioned by former Algerian President Aziz Bouteflika, construction of the

mosque depended on foreign expertise and labor. The project employed about
2,300 construction workers, engineers and managers. An additional 17,000
people were employed indirectly as subcontractors.

The architectural masterpiece

The mosque sits on a site covering 400,000 square meters, overlooking the
Mediterranean Sea. The prayer hall has a capacity of 37,000 worshippers,
while the structure including the compound can house up to 120,000
worshippers and has parking space for 7,000 cars. The complex also
houses a Koranic school, a park, a library, staff housing area, a fire station,
a museum of Islamic art, and a research centre on the history of Algeria.

The mosque also has a 265m tall minaret (a slender tower used to call
Muslims to prayer), which makes it the tallest building in Africa. It also
houses an observation deck atop the minaret, which has 37 floors. The
mosque is designed to withstand an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 and
the structure has been specially processed to resist corrosion. The main
prayer hall has 618 octagonal columns serving as support pillars and 6km
of calligraphic writing engraved with a laser system. The dome of the
prayer hall has a diameter of 50m and rises to a height of 70m.

Special emphasis was put on environmental sustainability while designing

the mosque allowing for natural cross-ventilation.

The mosque is designed to withstand an earthquake of magnitude 9.0

10 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com

 The mosque has a 300 square metres prayer hall
The mosque is equipped
with solar panels and a
sophisticated systems to
retain and prayer hall
has a capacity of 37,000
worshippers, while the
structure including the
compound can house up
to 120,000 worshippers
and has parking space
for 7,000 cars recycle rain
water, in keeping with the
sustainability focus.
As a carrier of Islamic culture, the mosque is
decorated with complicated stone carvings,
wood carvings and plaster carvings of Islamic
style. For example, there is a praying wall of
300 square meters with vast details on the east
side of the praying hall.
For the impressive 50m dome, the contractor
used one Spider Lift XTJ 52, specifically
customized to be fixed on a platform with rails
around the dome, on top of the main building’s
roof, to grant the dome finishing, as well as
constant maintenance and cleaning, reaching
52m of max w/h and 19,5m outreach.
The study and definition of the machine
configuration took almost two years and ended
with the supply of a customized XTJ 52, powered
by single-phase 230VAC electric motor 2.2kW
www.constructionreviewonline.com Sept - Oct 2019 | CR
+ 3-phase 380VAC electric motor 5.5kW only, There have been rumors that the mosque would
without diesel engine, anti-collision sensors and serve as a memorial to Bouteflika,s 20-year
electronic anemometer. reign. Many however describe the mosque as a
megalomanic vanity project.
Financing the project
Nevertheless, Speaking to BBC Kamel
Algeria has struggled with corruption, Chachoua, an expert on religion at the Institute
unemployment, and inequality. Its economy of Research and Studies on the Arab and
relies heavily on oil and petrol resources. Muslim World in Marseille, said the decision
The country has been trimming its spending, to build the mosque was a means to cut ground
especially since a drop in oil prices in 2014. from under the feet of the Islamists. It’s the idea
of creating a national Islam after the terror of
Mass protests early this year led to Bouteflika’s
resignation, as Algerian people demanded 1990s gave Islam an unhinged image.
economic opportunities and political change,
after years of discontent. The Great Mosque of Algiers is Africa’s largest
mosque and the world’s third-largest mosque by
Despite the country’s economic instability, area, after the pilgrimage mosques in Mecca and
building the Great Mosque was a priority for Medina in Saudi Arabia. Its minaret is however,
Bouteflika, who financed the ambitious project the tallest in the world, overlooking the Bay of
using the country’s vast oil wealth. According Algiers. The grand mosque is definitely a one
to CSCEC general manager, Zhou Sheng it was of a kind.
a great challenge for the company to manage
the cost. “You cannot finish the design and
engineering at the beginning; the engineering
work will be done along with the execution of
the construction,” he said.
The Chinese company has been active in
Algeria for three decades, undertaking various
developmental projects including housing,
roads, highways, bridges, schools and hospitals.
‘Among all the projects, the Great Mosque of
Algiers is the most important one, and this is a
milestone for our development in Algeria," said
Zhou. The project is by far the largest religious
building constructed overseas by a Chinese
company.
11
 STEEL
WITHSTANDING THE TEST OF TIME: ACCURATE STEEL
MILLS LTD., A MANUFACTURER WITH A TRACK RECORD
OF BRILLIANCE
W
hilst majority of the market
in Kenya may have seen the
branding of various steel brands
emblazoned across billboards across the
country, a brand they may not have come
across is Accurate Steel Mills Ltd.
The company is not a new one. It was
established in 1994 and has operated for more
than two decades from the heart of the industrial
area within Nairobi. At its premises on Ricky
Road, just off Enterprise Road, it manufactures
products to the highest of standards in the
market. You may be familiar with the company’s
products, such as Thermo Mechanically Tested
(TMT) Bars, hollow sections and pipes which
have been supplied from an expansive trader
network over its existence.
What you may not know however, is that it has
contributed to some of the largest projects in
Kenya today, shaping the skyline of our ever-
growing city. It has supplied its steel to help
a whole series of projects, a few of which are
mentioned below:
• The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)
• The Panari Hotel, Nairobi
• Keystone Park, Riverside Drive
• The Hilton Garden Inn, Nairobi Airport
• The Oval, Westlands
• Mihrab Towers, Lavington
• One Africa Place, Westlands
• The Hub, Karen
12 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com
Accurate Steel Mills Ltd. is a sister company
of Bhachu Industries Ltd., a company that has
become synonymous with Kenyan Market for
its quality, perseverance, innovative capabilities
and strength in holding long-standing business
relationships. Built on the same pillars of
success, the company built a dream that is
framed below:
Mission: To drive economic growth safely
across Kenya, providing consistently
dependable products in all industries, for
all applications.
Vision: To become a premier steel
manufacturer, offering steel products of a
superior quality to all industries requiring
metalworks and fabrication materials.
At the core of its inception and growth,
the company remained focused on quality.
It believed that a product with the best
specifications across all areas of testing (tensile,
spectral, length, weight) would be superior
and appreciated by a market building for the
future. The company offers full capabilities to
perform and provide the certificates for each of
these tests with its in-house laboratory, where
materials are tested from production batches
every half an hour. Only materials which pass
stringent controls are allowed forward, whilst
those which do not pass are rejected and re-
melted in the process.
Accurate Steel Mills Ltd. also plays its part in
the environment and development of Kenya. As
it is located next to Mukuru slum, the company
has always employed 95% of its staff directly
from the slum, offering training to improve
the skills of the workforce and drive up their
employability. All workers are taken through
training about machinery operation, health and
safety as a part of its Health, Safety, Security and
Environment (HSSE) framework. Furthermore,
the furnaces at the operational facility have an
advanced air extraction and purification system.
A funnel is placed directly above all furnaces,
ensuring that any and all hazardous emissions
from the melting process are ‘neutralised’ and
returned to the atmosphere in a completely
purified state. And the company does not
stop there. All waste particles are collected
in biodegradable sacks before ensuring their
proper disposal.
And this is just the beginning. With big
investments currently ongoing, keep a lookout
for the future growth and greater product
offerings of the company, as it continues to
serve this great Kenyan market for decades
more.
Accurate Steel manufactures products
to the highest of standards
 ROOF TILING
ROOF TILE MACHINES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF
CONCRETE’S GREEN CREDENTIALS
O
ver the past 100 years, ABECE have built the reputation of
good workmanship, excellent engineering with outstanding
quality and customer value. What started as a local forge
in 1919, serving the neighboring industry at that time, has now
evolved to a global market leader for concrete roof tile equipment
providing the best solutions for every need, no matter manual
startup operations or fully automatic plants making 60.000 tiles
per shift.
100 is not only the age of our company but also the efficiency goal our
solutions are designed for. 100% is what makes the difference between
us and other roof tile machine manufacturers. With smart and flexible
solutions, we provide the most optimised machinery in terms of safety,
productivity, user friendliness and maintenance. The 100% is not a vision
but a statement.
For us at ABECE – Green and Safe thinking
goes hand in hand. Whilst GREEN ABECE is all
about focusing on a sustainable environment
for our planet, SAFE ABECE is about ensuring
a safe working environment for all our
customers’ employees operating plants all
over the world.
A range of concrete roof tile machines developed specifically for start-up
businesses and climatic and operating conditions in Africa is available from
Pan Mixers South Africa (PMSA). These machines also take advantage of
the fact that concrete roof tiles are a far more environmentally-friendly
product than clay roof tiles.
Independent research from the Öko-Institut Freiburg (Ecological Institute)
in Germany places concrete roof tiles well ahead of clay roof tiles in the
categories of greenhouse effect, acidification potential, eutrophication,
14 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com
photo-oxidation and fine dust.
“The emphasis on infrastructure development in Africa, particularly in
terms of government-funded projects, means that we foresee tremendous
growth opportunities here,” ABECE Area Manager Fredrik Toftemo
comments.
PMSA is the largest supplier of concrete brick, block and paving
manufacturing machinery and technology on the African continent.
“Long-term strategic partnerships such as the one we have established
with ABECE allow us to stay ahead of market trends.
“It also gives us the added flexibility to be able to respond proactively
to specific customer requirements, as well as providing robust and user-
friendly equipment that can withstand the harsh operating conditions
in Africa,” Quintin Booysen, Marketing and Sales Manager, PMSA
emphasizes.
The SPS semi-automatic extruder can manufacture up to 5 000 concrete
tiles in a nine-hour shift, depending on the specific plant configuration.
It features a heavy-duty design that incorporates high-quality material
and components in its manufacture. The main benefits of this extruder
are that it is easy to install, operate and maintain, which are important
considerations in remote project sites in Africa.
A standalone depalleter is also available, as well as ridge and trim tile
manufacturing equipment. The manufacturing process only requires three
to five labourers, depending on the level of automation and the skills level
of the staff. “Combined with the fact that concrete roof tiles are such an
eco-friendly product, the SPS extruder is the ideal machine for African
conditions,” Booysen concludes.
Our mission never stops with a successful installation and commissioning
but carries on with excellent service and support as long as the equipment
is in use. Early in each project we define the needed spares and wears for
your equipment. ABECE Detail, is our way of securing your production
with supply of original spare- and wear parts in best available quality.
 JUST ADD:WATER, SAND, CEMENT
AND 100 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

YOUR FUTURE IN PRODUCING

CONCRETE ROOF TILES
SPELLS ABECE.
WHEN PRODUCING CONCRETE ROOF TILES, YOU BETTER HAVE SOMEONE EXPERIENCED BY YOUR
SIDE. PREFERABLY ALSO ONE WITH STRONG VISIONS. BECAUSE AS WE SEE IT – THESE ARE THE
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS.

For the last century, ABECE from Sweden, has been revolutionizing the entire
concrete roof tile industry. Developing the most reliable extruders, refining
the most precise servo knives for cutting tiles and delivering fully automated
and robot-powered solutions for packing tiles.

Since more than a decade we have a very close cooperation with Africa’s largest
manufacturer of mixing and batching equipment, Pan Mixers South Africa.
Together we are the strongest team with the best presence and knowledge of
the market in Africa.

State of the art machinery doesn’t cover it all – you also need someone who
helps you cover your exciting journey from start to finish, someone who covers
your needs in terms of productivity and original spare parts of highest quality,
and someone who helps you figure out what your market needs really looks
like. This is what we do and that is what gives you “A Better Coverage”.

Welcome to experience this together with us at ABECE and PMSA.

PHONE: +46 155-29 23 00 | E-MAIL: INFO@ABECE.SE | WWW.ABECE.SE

PHONE: +27 (0)11-578 87 00 | E-MAIL: SALES@PANMIXERS.CO.ZA | WWW.PMSA.COM
 ADVERTORIAL

WOODOC WATER-BORNE DECK

Formulated to protect wooden decks against the harsh African climate

B ased on the very latest European

technology, specially adapted for African
conditions, Woodoc Water-Borne DECK is
virtually odourless, fast drying, easy and safe
to apply and effectively penetrates even the
hardest decking timber to protect and beautify
your investment.
Woodoc Water-Borne DECK
is available in Clear, Natural,
For the very best results, Woodoc Water-Borne
Plus-Life PRIMER should first be applied to
clean, dry and well sanded decking timber,
Oak, Mahogany, Teak and extending the life of Woodoc Water-Borne
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One coat of Woodoc Water-Borne Plus-Life
The companion product to Woodoc Water- PRIMER should be over-coated with three
Borne DECK is Woodoc Water-Borne Plus-Life coats of Woodoc Water-Borne DECK.
PRIMER.

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sales@waterwaysafrica.com www.waterwaysafrica.com @waterwaysafrica

Since 1978, Waterways Africa has been building quality swimming pools
throughout Kenya.

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CONSTRUCTION SPAS EQUIPMENT

SHOWER ASTRAL POOL EMAUX POOL

BOOSTER PUMPS EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT

SAUNAS STEAMBATHS EZARRI MOSAIC

16 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com

 Mariam Kamara Global LafargeHolcim Awards winner. Architect & computer scientist, Niger.

“ Winning the
LafargeHolcim Awards
creates an impact
on people’s minds”

Design competitions boost projects, careers, and networking

opportunities. Be part of the 6th International LafargeHolcim
Awards for exemplary projects and visionary concepts in
sustainable construction. Prize money totals USD 2 million.

Independent expert juries evaluate submissions from

architecture, engineering, urban planning, materials
science, construction technology, and related fields using
the “target issues” for sustainable construction of the
LafargeHolcim Foundation.

www.lafargeholcim-awards.org
 TECHNOLOGY IN CONSTRUCTION
EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGY ON THE CONSTRUCTION
INDUSTRY
M
any industries have been
disrupted by the advancements
of technology over the last several
years, but construction has been slow to
adapt to innovations in the field.
However, the last few years have proven
transformational in the industry, leading the
way for new digital tools and tech-infused
concepts to make their way front and center
among construction companies and individual
professionals. As licensed construction
contractors grow in numbers and projects
continue to expand their scope, it is helpful to
know how technology is causing shifts in the
market.
Big Data
One of the most notable but lesser-known
technological advances in construction over the
last decade has been the inclusion and use of
big data.
Although it may seem like a buzzword of sorts,
big data is simply the collection of information
previously housed on paper or in various
systems that is now being used for greater, more
18 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com
connected purposes. Larger robotic machines are also being used
More information than ever before is being to take over some repetitive tasks on project
gathered in real-time through a variety of sites, including digging and moving materials
devices and software systems. These data points from one location to the next. Although some
are then being used to offer predictive insights fear that robots may ultimately reduce the labor
and analysis to construction work in both public force in the industry, many feel confident that
and private jobs. adding robots to the mix helps improve safety
and keeps construction contractors from taking
up time on mundane aspects of each job.
This valuable information
allows construction
contractors to work more
efficiently over time, saving
time and money in the
process.
Robotics in Construction
Another way technology is changing the
construction industry is through robotics. The
influx of companies working to develop robotics
in construction has grown significantly over the
last three years, with robotic arms being used
in the production phase of some projects, and
3D printing used to create more cost-effective
material.
Transitioning some of the work traditionally completed by contractors
can also save on the expense of contractors bonds over time.
Laser and Drone Technology

Technology is also making waves in construction with the help of laser

scanning and drone use. With lasers, construction professionals have
an opportunity to assess site conditions before stepping foot on a new
project, and they can use this information to highlight any hazards or site
issues that may be lying in wait.
Similarly, drones are being used to scan worksites in advance, as well as
monitoring logistics over the course of a project. Each of these functions
of laser scanning and drones is improving the safety of construction sites
each day.

Wearables and Mobile Devices

Finally, the construction industry is being enhanced through the use of

mobile devices and wearable technology among licensed contractors and
subcontractors.

Mobile devices and smartphones are being used more frequently in

the field for an array of tasks. Construction workers are utilizing these
technology devices to document information, share effective and fast
communications, and prepare for inclement weather or job site conditions.

Wearable technology is also being used to boost safety standards around

each project, and create learning opportunities through virtual reality for
new contractors or subcontractors. The combination of these devices helps
construction workers remain efficient on the job while also promoting
safety and learning along the way.

Technology in construction is not a new sight, but it is a growing trend

that lays the groundwork for more efficient projects. Contractors in
construction should embrace the ever-changing landscape of tech in the
industry if they want to remain competitive and ahead of the curve in the
business.

Mobile devices are used to document information and share information

effectively in a construction site

www.constructionreviewonline.com Sept - Oct 2019 | CR 19

DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
IN JAPAN SINCE 1948
Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd, a leading manufacturer of power tools and
life-science equipment, has changed its corporate name to Koki
Holdings Co., Ltd., effective June 1, 2018, and has rebranded its full
line of power tools known as HITACHI and/or Hitachi Koki under the
new HiKOKI®(pronounced “hai-koh-key”) name, effective October 1,
2018. The name changes are in line with the company’s ambitious
international growth strategy, aimed at ensuring sustainable growth
while expanding business in the nearly 100 countries in Hitachi
Koki’s global network.

Hitachi Koki’s world-class advanced technologies have produced

reliable and innovative products throughout its celebrated 70-year
history, which serve as the basis for its new partnership with
KKR,one of the world’s preeminent private equity groups. Through
the new partnership, Koki Holdings is streamlining operations and
accelerating investment in organic development and acquisitions to
enhance its global businesses as a worldwide leading manufacturer.

“We have delivered award-winning innovation in manufacturing with a solid business performance for
over 70 years, and now is the time for us to focus on expansion as a truly global company while
remaining rooted to our Japanese tradition,” said Osami Maehara, President, Hitachi Koki. “We have
fully committed to accelerating growth alongside a dynamic new partner in KKR as we pursue our goal
to become a global leader in power tools and life-science instruments. We are confident we can take
our business to the next level with the support of all our employees and partners worldwide, and the
revamping of the brand name is the first step to making this possible. We look forward to continuing to
build a brand that exceeds the expectations of discerning customers around the world.”

The HiKOKI brand was created to embody the three core competencies of the company, including its
innovative technologies that give rise to products with superior performance, the reliability of its products
and services backed by a 70-year company history, and the potential for new business growth
represented through the new partnership with KKR. For ease of pronunciation, the new brand name uses
a lowercase “i” in its first syllable, and includes the implicit numeral “1” to express the company’s
commitment to providing customers with the “No. 1” products on the market, and its aim to achieve
“No. 1” global status.

The new corporate name, Koki Holdings Co., Ltd., is designed to maintain continuity with its current
name, while also reflecting the multiple brands it encompasses around the world, and accelerate
investment in acquisitions to expand its global business.
High Efficiency AC Brushless Motor AC Brushless Motor series
Higher Speed and Performance with

Long-lasting
efficiency.
The professional no longer has to worry about
losing voltage and power when using an
extension cord. Our AC Brushless Motor series
feature electronic control that offers continuous
and constant power output. This technology
brings a whole new level of performance and
durability to our heavy duty range of power
tools. With the innovative AC Brushless Motor
you’ll experience more power and less energy
consumption. We have also eliminated some
major wearing parts,which means a compact
and light weight power tool, less wear and tear
and less maintenance. This also contributes to
the fact that the motor lasts longer and
operates far more efficiently than conventional
brushed motors.
Due to the more compact design compared to
brushed motors, the brushless motor permits a
reduction in size and weight of tools for easier
handling. Even under heavy use, the brushless
motor significantly extends the product life
cycle without causing troubles such as
armature burnout, layer short or commutator
wear. Plus, it does not require the regular
replacement of carbon brushes.

https://www.koki-holdings.com/contact
 HOUSE RENDERING
LONG TERM EFFECTS OF HOUSE RENDERING IN
CONSTRUCTION
R
egardless of the material your house
is made from, the exterior walls need
to be extra treated for bulletproof
protection. House rendering is a process of
applying a layer of protective material over
the bricks or building blocks to protect them
from the harsh elements outside.
It is exclusively done by experts like plasterers.
They coat the wall to prevent erosion caused by
rainwater and to stop cracks and fissures from
forming. A house that is covered by a render is
virtually waterproof which ensures its longevity
and strategical integrity for many decades to
come. Sounds simple enough but here are a
few more things you need to know about house
rendering.
What does rendering help protect
against
Essentially all liquids that come into contact
with the facade of your house have the potential
to leave permanent damage. The damage caused
to the exterior walls is commonly the result of
the local climate and the punishing weather
condition. For once, rainwater and melting
snow can get inside the cracks. After several
22 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com
freezings and thawing cycles, it results in a
fissure forming in the wall’s structure.
Furthermore, if the house is left without a
protective layer, even strong sunlight can
damage it, causing the wall to erode. No matter
how strong the material is, the fine sand particles
erode over time, weakening the structure of the
wall.
The rendering procedure
In order to avoid direct contact of the house
walls with the moisture in the air outside, a layer
of rendering is applied by hand and tools. It acts
as glazing that establishes a barrier between the
two, prolonging the lifespan of the wall. The
two most common elements used for rendering
are sand and cement. Apart from them, lime-
based or a synthetic resin has also entered use
recently.
In some cases, as with brick houses, the material
comes with a rendering of its own. Bricks have
a glazing over their surface. That is the result
of the manufacturing process. However, the
crevices between them are untreated, so mortar
will erode over time, leaving the outer all
vulnerable to water damage. Some homeowners
use paint to cover these surfaces but other
than coloring the mortar, the wall does not get
impregnated.
Cement rendering
The types of rendering listed above are used
for different buildings. The form of rendering
most suitable for residential units is cement
rendering. Fine quality cement rendering adds
a granite texture to your house that seals it shut
to drops of water. The best thing about this kind
of rendering is the price. Meaning it is more
than affordable for most homeowners. The
investments they make into rendering pays off
after a few years when the maintenance costs
go down, obviating the need for costly repairs.
Calculating the cost
Apart from choosing a reliable rendering
company, there are several factors that will help
get a clearer picture of the final cost. Firstly, you
need to take into account the size of the total
surface that requires rendering. Secondly, you
need to decide on the type of rendering you use
based on the current state the wall is in. Any
damage to the wall should be repaired prior to rendering and the surface
has to be clean from dirt and muck. Finally, don’t forget to calculate in
the climate aspect into the equation. An extremely warm climate or a cold
climate should influence the final choice if rendering for your house.

Like we stated earlier, rendering should be done by professionals.

Theoretically speaking, you have the possibility to render yourself but
the cost and effort will exceed the benefits. Not only is the equipment
pricy but you lack the necessary expertise to apply the smooth finishing.
This requires an expert’s hand that has years of rendering experience,
both residential and commercial. Think of the cost of rendering not as
money waste but money well spent since rendering is basically a house
improvement.

The long-term effect

Rendering is a process that is so efficient that you will have to do it only

once every 20 years. Most companies give a guarantee that ensures that
if there isn’t any mechanical damage to the house, the applied coat will
prevent all cracks, chips, and peels. Furthermore, rendering material,
whether it is sand or cement can be colored, so rendering is painting the
house at the same time.

No exterior wall of a house is complete without proper rendering.

Whatever type and color you choose, make sure the rendering company
does a good job so the rendered surface will last for decades to come. The damage caused to the exterior walls is commonly the result of the
local climate and the punishing weather condition

www.constructionreviewonline.com Sept - Oct 2019 | CR 23

 ADVERTORIAL
HANSGROHE – AS DIVERSE AS IT IS DARING
The sanitary giant features a horde of
exciting new products!
“Where innovation meets emotion,” is one
of Hansgrohe’s 2019 phrases, once again
highlighting its unique, in-depth commitment to
the continued production of high-quality stock
which still evoke an emotive response in the
people.
It may seem a tall order; but one of Hansgrohe’s
core competencies has always been innovation.
This year sees a large array of new and, frankly,
thrilling products for the bathroom and kitchen.
Pump the volume
One of the most eagerly anticipated launches
of this year is Hansgrohe’s RainTunes; a
combination of water, sound, light, moving
images and fragrances – all geared towards
creating the most epic showering experience of
all time. Actually, there are seven experiences
to choose from, depending on your mood, the
time of day, and just how annoying your work
day has been.
Keep it locked down
Practicality is always top of mind for the minds
at Hansgrohe, which has led to the creation of
Pontos®, a water management system which
allows you to keep an eye on your water
consumption, as well as adding a modicum of
control by accessing Pontos from an app on
your phone. This is huge for homes looking to
minimise water waste and increase their quality
of life!
Indulge yourself
The brand new Rainfinity® shower head is
the essence of sensuality. It is your getaway
to complete relaxation. It comes with new jet
types, innovative functions and an extraordinary
24 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com
design which set a new standard in modern
bathroom functionality. In short, the new
Rainfinity® shower head will envelop your
body in a coat of a thousand sultry droplets.
Safety first, then teamwork
Of course, Hansgrohe are not so remiss as
to forget about keeping the kids safe. The
Croma® E and the Ecostat® E are the perfect
solution for the modern family and ‘bath time’,
delivering a combination of safety features,
modern design and affordable pricing.But most
excitingly, Hansgrohe have added Coolcontact
and Safetystop to these products. Coolcontact
prevents the thermostat mixer from getting too
hot, which means your little ones won’t burn
their paws as they play. Safetystop is a neat little
mechanism which ensures that the water is not
unreasonably hot when it comes out of the tap.
sBox Tub
Because a tub should be nothing but functional
bliss, Hansgrohe is, once again, a step ahead. In
line with its minimalist design and commitment
to aesthetic pleasure, Hansgrohe has engineered
the sBox tub hose coiling system, which means
freedom of movement that is just as easily
tucked away. Gone are the days of shower cords
twisting and tangling, creating a cluttered and
– let´s face it – frustrating bath tub experience.
Now the shower cord slides seamlessly out of
sight and out of mind, leaving youto focus on
one thing and one thing only: rest and relaxation.
Scratching the surface
This is only a brief overview of some of the
amazing new products that Hansgrohe is
coming out with. You’ll have to stay tuned for
the rest, but no mistake…
When it comes to Hansgrohe
innovation, 2019 is going to
be one for the books.
Hansgrohe. Meet the beauty of water.
About the Hansgrohe Group
With its brands AXOR and hansgrohe, the
Hansgrohe Group, based in Schiltach/Southern
Germany, enjoys a reputation as a leader in
quality, innovation and design within the bath
and kitchen industry. The Hansgrohe Group
brings form and function to water with taps,
showerheads and shower systems. The 116-year
history of the company is marked by innovations
such as the first hand-held shower with multiple
spray types, the first pull-out kitchen tap, and
the first wall bar to hold a hand-held shower.
The company holds more than 17,000 active
propriety rights. The Hansgrohe Group stands
for long-lasting quality products. With 34
subsidiaries and 21 sales offices supplying
products in more than 140 countries, the
company is a reliable partner to its customers
around the world.
The Hansgrohe Group, its brands and products
have won numerous awards, including more
than 500 design prizes since 1974. Sustainable
production of resource-conserving products
is central to the company’s business activities
around the globe. The products of the Hansgrohe
Group are featured in projects around the world,
such as the luxurious ocean liner Queen Mary
2, and the world’s tallest building, the Burj
Khalifa in Dubai. The Group’s high-quality
standards are ensured by five wholly-owned
production facilities: two in Germany, one each
in France, the United States and China. In 2016,
the Hansgrohe Group generated a turnover of
EUR 1.029 billion. It employs more than 4,800
people worldwide, about 60 percent of whom
work in Germany.
 A new dimension in
showering - Rainfinity.

www.hansgrohe.com

Design and functionality

Set your own rules: 3 Spray types:

- Tilt between 10 to 30 degrees to keep hair and face dry

- Exquisite design
- High quality: aluminium anodised spray disc
- Available in matt white or chrome
RainStream Intense PowderRain
- Available in 1 jet PowderRain or 3 jet
PowderRain
 PRECAST TECHNOLOGY
HIGHLY-LIVELY HOMES FOR TODAYS AFRICAN
FAMILIES
N
ew building systems with
industrially produced precast
concrete elements will change
Africa's cities and create affordable living
space for many people. Africa expert
Christoph Müller-Bernhardt of the German
concrete plant specialist Vollert is convinced
of this. At the same time, it will become an
important job machine for many countries.
Together for a better Africa - Vollert is
investing in training at the universities in
Kenya, among other things.
"Affordable living space - built to a high standard
of quality, sustainable and environmentally
friendly. This is our common goal for Africa,"
says Christoph Müller-Bernhardt, experienced
Africa expert and Executive Sales Director
Africa at the German concrete plant specialist
Vollert. Using Kenya as an example, he
explains the important role that architecture
and construction with precast concrete elements
will play in Africa in the future. With robust and
continuous economic growth of 4-6%, Kenya is
regarded as the powerhouse of the East African
economic region. Lively construction activity,
massive investments in public infrastructure
and a growing middle class are significant.
Kenya's investment growth is expected to be
between 6-7% according to the forecast institute
EIU. The focus is on residential construction
26 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com
projects and infrastructure projects such as
railway and road construction. The driving
force on the demand side is the rapidly growing
population with its even faster-growing middle
class, whose demand for housing is still far
from being met. About 75% of the population
continues to live in simple huts and the
disproportionately fast growing urban slums.
Solution for housing shortage and
quality problems in the building
industry
A decisive factor in closing the large gap
between supply and demand in Kenya will be the
precast construction method. "This applies not
only to Kenya, but also to many other African
countries," reports Müller-Bernhardt. Thanks
to industrialized prefabrication processes, it
enables construction defects to be minimized
and construction costs to be significantly
reduced. But more importantly, it significantly
shortens construction times. "To get an idea
for the construction speed: One floor has 8
apartments and consists of a total of 210 to 220
individual components. With a production and
crane capacity of 150 to 200 elements per day,
floor cycle times of 3 to 5 days can be achieved
- 10 to 15 days are required for the conventional
block construction method," says Müller-
Bernhardt. In addition, the CO2 footprint is
reduced by 25% and water consumption by
50%. These new residential buildings have
excellent thermal performance, are weather and
fire resistant and even earthquakeproof.
Africa is currently taking major steps to
introduce this global standard in construction
technology. ´Housing for all´: For example,
Kenya plans to build 500,000 residential
buildings by 2022.
Precast in mind, yet affordable precast
equipment is necessary
"The awareness for all these points and facts
has grown", says Müller-Bernhardt. "However,
there is still a lack of construction companies
willing to invest in modern plant technology
for the production of precast concrete parts.
Yet modern formwork systems and start-up
solutions make it possible today to produce
prefabricated walls and slabs even with low
investment budgets. Technology ´made in
Germany´ is also no longer a vision of the future.
Plant suppliers such as the traditional Vollert
brand offer innovative concepts for Africa, in
which state-of-the-art machine solutions can be
combined with varying degrees of automation.
Stationary tilting tables or battery and room
cell formwork as well as special formwork for
structural components such as columns and
beams are also interesting entry level models.
 "Concerns are repeatedly expressed that the new construction method
will destroy jobs. Quite the opposite is the case. Precast construction as
local job machine" describes MüllerBernhardt. Not only is one four times
more productive, but above all in interior construction, the demand and
thus the manual activities by craftsmen will increase immensely due to the
higher construction volumes.
Founded in 1999 by the current M3SP managing directors Marmo Pádua,
Luiz Norimatsu and Marcos Roberto de Oliveira, the company specialises
in construction projects of up to 150,000 m² of solid walls and slabs. This
creates inexpensive living space, but also office buildings and shopping
malls as well as schools and universities are created today with M3SP
precast concrete elements.

Examples from Brazil, Chile and India show the advantages
Successful construction projects from Latin America and India show
what massive advantages the new construction method offers and
how successful investments can be implemented. With more than 360
residential buildings completed, Sobha Ltd. is one of the fastest growing
developers in India. In 2015, the Sobha Dream Acres residential project
was the first construction project to focus entirely on precast concrete. It
is the result of Sobha's vision to provide the Indian families of today with
modern, high quality housing. 81 hectares of land with 80% green space,
500 exclusive, high-quality apartments are unique in India's history. With
modern machine technology from the German plant engineering company
Volllert, Sobha produces 400,000 m² of walls, slabs, beams and columns
every year, which means 150 precast concrete elements per day.
The property developer BauMax in earthquake-prone Chile has also been
writing a real success story since 2016. Together with the engineering firm
Sirve SA and Vollert they developed a new construction system adapted to
the seismically difficult conditions. From the production of the first house
prototypes in Germany to the later final assembly in Chile, a great deal
was achieved with the involvement of architects, designers, planners and
specialists. A similar example is provided by the Brazilian M3SP Group.
"´Proudly build by African precasters´, that
is also my target for the African construction
industry" reports Müller-Bernhardt. "We
want to develop the best construction system
for Africa in close dialogue with African
constructers".
A pure construction system with hollowcore slabs has not turned out to be
ideal. Rather, it will be a combination of various wall and slab elements
that will prove successful in the long term. A close know-how transfer
with the architects and the technology supplier is important for this in the
preliminary planning. And the right system technology for the planned
construction system.
In addition, well-trained civil engineers and specific training programmes
for new construction methods are needed. "We are currently working
with the University of Nairobi on a new concept to introduce students
and future young civil engineers to the new precast construction method
at an early stage. You will learn more about this in 2019," says Christoph
Müller-Bernhardt of Vollert.

d
high-en
erts for ment:
All in PrecAst s
b a l e x
the glo roduction equ
t p
p ip
plant

PrecAst All in
pr e c a an 350
more th
se from nts
+ epxrpoejerticts on all contine ses and
lo w - c ost hou g systems
ns for uildin
+ solutio ke-resistant b
earth q u a r every
te c h n ology fo t
achine n
uireme
+ latest m udget and req
t b
projec

For current reference projects:

“We offer the best production equipment ´made
in Germany´ to install affordable and high-quality www.vollert.de
homes for Africa.“ Christoph Müller-Bernhardt
Executive Sales Director Africa

Visit us at tHe BiG 5 in Kenya!

German Pavilion, booth 5B22

As internationally acknowledged expert we are providing customized machinery

and plant engineering solutions for state-of-the-art precast concrete production.
Everything you need for a profitable investment. Made in Germany. Since 1925.
www.vollert.de | precast@vollert.de | www.youtube.com/vollertprecast

AZ_Construction Review Africa_180x130_muc.indd 1 20.08.2019 08:58:51

www.constructionreviewonline.com Sept - Oct 2019 | CR 27
 ROOF TILING
CONCRETE ROOF TILES – VORTEX HYDRA, THE
WORLDWIDE LEADER FOR CONCRETE ROOF TILE
PLANTS
V “We suggest that one starts
ortex Hydra, located in Northern
Italy, Emilia-Romagna province (not
far from Bologna, in the industrial
heart of Italy), is the largest supplier of
Concrete Roof Tiles production plants. The
company has a wide variety of production
plants, UNO line starting from 1,200 up to
12,000 tiles per shift (perfect for African
start-up companies), and MODULO, ROTARY
and MATRIX lines from 24,000 up to 60,000
tiles per shift.
Today 100% of Company’s customers are
located overseas in the continents of Europe,
Africa, Asia, Americas (North, South and
Central) and Australasia. With its 50 years of
company history, Vortex Hydra has supplied
more than 100 plants on the African continent.
In support of the head office operations in Italy,
Vortex Hydra also has subsidiary operations
in Australia, Brazil, China and the United
Kingdom.
In the company’s ongoing effort to penetrate
and support the African market, Vortex
28 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com
Hydra started collaborating with Hydraform
international based in Johannesburg, South
Africa. Hydraform is a leading supplier of the
Hydraform interlocking building technology
and manufacturer of Hydraform machines and
equipment.
In addition to supplying plant and equipment
VH also offer their customer’s choice from a
very wide range of different roof tile profiles
that includes roof fittings and accessories.
Furthermore VH have the design expertise to
custom develop new tile profiles when required
including optimized roof tile solutions.
The concept machines according to Alessandro
Chiarion, Vortex Hydra’s Sales Area Manager
for Africa, is to simplify as much as possible
the interface between the machines and the
person. This goes hand in hand with training
whereby operators with basic skills will be able
to operate the roof tile machines and since they
are able to offer training and support throughout
Africa.
with basic equipment and
increase production and
automation gradually, in this
way a customer will approach
new challenges step by step,”
notes Alessandro.
All Vortex Hydra production plants operate
with tile forming aluminium pallets. This is
a strategic engineering solution that is the
preference of the majority major roof tile
manufacturing organisations throughout the
world. Vortex always strongly recommends the
use of aluminium pallets not only because they
are compatible in price with that of steel pallets
but because they are consistent in producing
high quality tiles throughout their longer
working life when compared with that of using
a steel pallet alternative. With an expected life
of at least ten years the aluminium pallets offer
a good ‘end of use’ scrap value so enabling a
customer to recover a good part of the initial
investment.
The new UNO 30C

The new UNO 30C was recently presented at BAUMA Munich,

the world wide most important exhibition for equipment to produce
building materials where Vortex was the only concrete roof tile machine
manufacturer present. This plant permits to enter in the market with the
relevant production of 1,200 square meters per shift and it is on the top of
the podium of UNO line.

The Company also provides a very comprehensive ‘after-sales’ service to

their clientele that includes spare parts availability, maintenance planning
and a technical support service. By analyzing a customer’s consumption
history of wear replacement it is possible derive an annual schedule
of parts that a customer will need to minimize the risk of production
Vortex hydra has supplied more than 100 plants in Africa
stoppages occurring through the lack of essential replacement parts.

Vortex Hydra have a very futuristic approach in creating solutions that

will last for many decades particularly with regard to quality control,
environmental sustainability and the everyday welfare of peoples health.
With customers present all over the world, It’s always developing new
systems for producing, curing and automatically packaging concrete roof
tiles and new challenges are faced every year for the satisfaction of the
numerous Vortex customer’s in the African continent and worldwide.

Vortex hydra also offers customers a wide range of roof tiles

Visit our Representative stand,

look for ITARE Concrete Solutions,
at the:
• Buildexpo Kenya,
Nairobi, 2-4 July
stand n. O150
• Buildexpo Tanzania,
Dar Es Salaam, 12-14 September
stand n. B143
• Archibat, Ivory Coast,
1-5 October
stand n. 31
• Big 5 Kenya,
Nairobi, 5-7 November
stand n. 5e17-18

VORTEX HYDRA S.R.L. ITALY t. +39 0532 879411 vh.sales@vortexhydra.com

for UNO STARTER PACK, please contact our ZA Agent HYDRAFORM at sales@hydraform.com

www.constructionreviewonline.com Sept - Oct 2019 | CR 29

 PROJECT

SAIF PROPERTIES EXCITE KENYAN MARKET

S
aif Real Estate is one of the fastest growing property • Rooftop Barbecue
developers in Kenya and aims to be a leading modern
• Smart Car Parking Technology
housing solutions provider that resonates with the pulse of
the market. It intends to do this by delivering high quality, luxurious • Spa and Sauna
housing developments at affordable cost.
• Cinema Theatre
Recognizing the competitive nature of the sector in Kenya and the
• Day Care Center
constantly changing trends, the firm strives to provide “amazing products
with amazing customer service”. • Play Area
• State of the art gym
Although relatively young in the market, Saif
has quickly established itself as a force to • Borehole

reckon with by coming up with creative and • 24hr Security/CCTV cameras

tastefully designed residential properties that • A silent backup generator 
match the best anywhere. • 4 High Speed Lifts. i.e. 2 in each building
Saif properties in Nairobi have attracted major interest in the market
with some completely selling out. Their 12-year payment plan with zero
interest has proved popular with investors and home buyers. WOODVILLE APARTMENTS

CICADA CREST APARTMENTS
This residence is located right in the heart of Kilimani along George
Padmore Road in Nairobi. It is a blend of comfort, space and contemporary
lifestyle to create a perfect home. This lavish development, comprising 3
bedroom units all en suite plus DSQ will set a new standard for residential
space in Nairobi, with unparalleled views and unrivaled level of quality
and service.
Features
• Heated swimming pool
Woodville apartments is a residential development made of sheer beauty
in design, enriched with elegance and style. It consists of three-bedroom,
master en-suite apartments with a plinth area of 120sqm. The project
consists of 36 units set on 12 floors, three units on each floor.
It is located about four kilometers from the City Center within a serene
and secure urban residential zone at Kai-Sungur Road Estate in South
C bordering Nairobi National Park and only about 21 minutes’ drive to
Jomo Kenyatta Airport.
Features
• Spacious Living Rooms

30 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com

 • High speed lift. Elite Projects Consultancy Ltd
• Advanced home wiring system for distribution of DSTV and Quantity Surveyors, Building Economists and Project Managers

internet to enable its residents to work virtually. 3rd Floor, Suite 11, Nextgen Mall, Mombasa Road, Nairobi.
Tel: +254 720 943806/+254 722 478643.
• Intercom already installed Email: elite_projects@yahoo.com
Website: www.eliteprojectsconsultancy.co.ke
• Ultra-modern kitchens with high quality granite tops.
• Wooden flooring.
• Exquisite finishes and modern undersink heaters.
• Rooftops with serene views of the city
• A standby back-up power generator to address alternative
power needs.
• 24 hr. security that features a perimeter wall with an electric
fence, around-the-clock manned security gates and 24 hr.
CCTV surveillance system around the compound.
• A borehole, pressurized water system and an underground
water storage tank to ensure constant water supply.
• Ample and secure parking space.

ROSEVILLE APARTMENTS We are proud to be associated with

A phenomenal concept set to refine Kilimani, Roseville apartments is SAIF PROPERTIES on the Cicada Project
a 3 bedroom all en-suite plus DSQ development on Rose Avenue. This Option 1
state-of-the-art project will be the toast to new heights. Embracing new
textures and design, this will be an iconic development and a stunning
addition to the area.
The apartments are centrally located and easily accessible to various
social amenities which include Jomo Kenyatta international airport
which is only 19kms away and is roughly a 34 minutes’ drive, 5 minutes
away from the Nairobi Hospital and a 10 minutes’ drive from the Nairobi
CBD.  Enveloped in a plinth area of 180 sqm, this project consists of 90
units on 15 floors, 6 units on each floor impeccably tucked in a serene
LEXIS INTERNATIONAL LTD
environment. A Member of Laxmi Group of Companies
Features
CICADA CREST
• Heated swimming pool
• State of the art gym
• Open plan kitchen, with modern exquisite under sink
heaters
• Rooftop with serene view of the city.
• Tight security; well manned gates by security guards, an
electric fence and 24 hours CCTV surveillance systems.
• Unlimited availability of water as there is a borehole to cater
for domestic water in case of water shortages.
We are proud to be
• A silent standby generator in place to curb power outages.
associated with Saif
• Intercom readily installed. Properties Limited on their ROSEVILLE
• 2 ample parking spaces for each unit prestigious developments

P.O. Box 18394-00100 Nairobi, Kenya.

Additional information on Saif Real estate is available on their website
Tel: 0707 848484, 0727848100
https://www.saifproperties.com/ lexisinternational@gmail.com

www.constructionreviewonline.com Sept - Oct 2019 | CR 31

 PROJECT
FEDERAL INLAND REVENUE SERVICE (FIRS)
HEADQUARTERS, CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT –
ABUJA, NIGERIA
T
he Federal Inland Revenue Service
(FIRS) of Nigeria is developing a
17-storey office tower in the Central
Business District of Abuja to serve as its new
headquarters. The FIRS is responsible for
collecting and accounting for the various
taxes to the Federal Government.
Their new headquarters located on Kur
Mohammed Avenue in the Central Business
District of FCT, was designed by ATO
Architects and will comprise of three towers
joined at the centre. According to the architect,
all three towers will be built on a podium with a
63,000sqm footprint that includes a multi-storey
car park, gymnasium, clinic and also religious
facilities. The site area for the development is
81,000sqm and car parking spaces for 400 – 450
cars will be provided.
Construction began in 2015 and the building
is currently being clad. ATO Architects who
designed the tower reported the building to cost
US $108.5m as at August, 2014 and comprise of
three towers joined at the centre.
32 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com
ATO Architects won the competition for the
design of FIRS Headquarters building in 2011.
The purpose of the building was to bring the
various branches of FIRS to a single building.
FIRS’ vision is to create a bioclimatic approach
where alternatives that contribute to protecting
the environment, saving energy and improving
the quality of the work environment is
enhanced. The concept of the design was based
on FIRS concept which is the pivot of National
Development
BNL Engineering and Construction Limited
(Bouygues) is serving as the main contractor.
Other members of the project team include
Courtney Michel Partnership Nigeria Limited,
NAIRDA, Sea Surveyors Limited, Molecular,
Unecon, IAA Associates and more.
Features of the project
The Tower was originally designed on
103,000sqm but was reduced to 86000sqm
due to encroachment on the property by the
adjoining neighbour and value engineering
based on client’s request. There are four
escalators, seven staircases, and ten lifts in
the tower block to ease vertical traffic. The
other facilities within the tower block are, the
exhibition, Library, Gymnasium, Restaurants
and Industrial Kitchen, creche, Supermarket,
praying areas, offices, energy hubs etc.
There is also a 700 capacity
Auditorium between two
wings of the tower. The
Tower has been designed as
an energy-efficient building
with E- glass having a U
value of 1.2. The three
cleaning cradles at the roof
of the Tower will facilitate the
maintenance of the building.
Access control is not limited
to the Tower building but
also within the entire site.
 Car parking space

The 18,000sqm car parking space is expected to cater for a total of 445
cars. This ample parking space was achieved through the provision of a
multi-story car park, a basement parking as well as parking around the
building.

The multi-level car park in 12 floors is expected to accommodate 416 cars,

the basement level parking 19 cars while the parking around buildings is
expected to accommodate 10 vehicles. The car park is equipped with car
park recognition system to ease traffic.

Unlike other abandoned large government projects in Abuja, progress

on the FIRS HQ, though slow, has been consistent proving better
commitment from the government. Others such as The National Library
and Abuja Millenium Tower have been placed on hold after estimated
contract values of US $138.4m and US $106m respectively for their
With regards to back up power, the building will have: 2Nos 2.5KVA
completion. Although the building is quite large, it is not certain if there
Generator, 1no 750KVA Generator, 1no 500KVA Generator and 9 chillers
will be other tenants.
that facilitate the adequate function of the Tower block.

systems for producing, curing and automatically packaging concrete roof

The complex also comprises of: a car park block with a total of about
tiles and new challenges are faced every year for the satisfaction of the
18,000sqm, an administrative block consisting of 3 towers on a podium
numerous Vortex customer’s in the African continent and worldwide.
with an area of about 63,000sqm, a welcome centre, fire station, security
station and other auxiliary facilities.

www.constructionreviewonline.com Sept - Oct 2019 | CR 33

 PROFILE
ROOFINGS GROUP: 25 YEARS OF MAKING STEEL THAT
BUILDS THE NATION
U
ganda’s construction sector has been
maturing at a very fast pace. Due to
the growing rates of urbanisation,
industrialisation and infrastructure
development, the availability of high quality
steel in adequate quantity is of paramount
importance. This is where Roofings Group
comes in.
Founded by Dr. Sikander Lalani under license
of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA),
Roofings Group launched operations in 1994
and has not looked back ever since. Roofings
group offers a one stop service and diversified
product shop for the entire steel and plastic
construction materials industry in East and
Central Africa.
The world of Roofings Group is one without
boundaries; growing, changing and challenging,
an environment that embraces different skills,
continuous innovation, sustainable growth and
a better quality of life.
“I had a dream to build something I could be
proud of, decades later, I am a part of something
we can all be proud of,” said the Chairman
Lalani at the launch of Roofings Rolling Mills,
Namanve.
“From the houses we live in; the schools that
teach us, the farms that feed us, the bridges we
cross, to the protection around our homes; we
strive to deliver unparalleled quality through
our value-added solutions to make your life
easier,” he said.
This is made possible by the commitment
to a culture of continuous improvement,
through which the company drives operational
34 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com
excellence in processes, products and people.
This is why Roofings Group is creating solutions
that meet the customers’ needs for today and
tomorrow. These solutions are created through
the following subsidiaries:
Roofing Limited
Launched in 1995, Roofings Limited was the
anchor that helped established the other two
subsidiaries that make up the Roofings Group.
Roofings Limited is located on plot 126 Entebbe
Road, Lubowa estate, and approx. 6km from
Kampala city. Roofings Limited mainly engages
in cold forming and produces a vast range of
steel products for the construction sector. The
Lubowa plant is the headquarters for the group.
Roofing Polypipes
The factory which was commissioned in 2012
is specifically designed for the production of
construction plastic pipes of various dimensions
and PYC fittings used in plumbing, drainage
management and in electrical installations.
Roofings polypipes is the only construction
plastic pipes industry in the country as of now
and this sets Roofings group apart from the rest
as we think “a one stop Centre for all quality
construction materials.
Previously, the company was manufacturing
galvanized pipes which became outdated, so a
decision was made to venture into manufacturing
of plastic products for the construction industry.
The aim was to wholly serve the construction
sector.
The products are made from a plastic and vinyl
combination material. The pipes are durable,
hard to damage, and long lasting. PVC pipes do
not rust, rot, or wear over time. They also have
the ability to withstand extreme movement and
bending.
The company manufactures PVC and HDPE
pipes of various dimensions and fittings used
in plumbing, drainage management and in
electrical installations. These range from 20mm
to 200mm in diameter and relevant fittings.
Today, the company is the largest steel
manufacturing plant in Uganda and East Africa
Community, we export to Rwanda, Burundi, DR
Congo, Kenya, Tanzania and South Sudan. It
takes the biggest share of the market in Uganda,
and earn a lot of foreign exchange for Uganda
through these exports.
Roofing Rolling Mills
Roofings Rolling Mills (RRM) is one of the
largest and most modern steel complexes
operating in East and Central Africa. Based in
the industrial park, RRM is strategically located
to serve both the local Ugandan market and
the markets of EAC and COMESA. The 3 unit
complex consists of; Phase (I) Wire galvanizing
plant, Phase (ii) Hot rolling (Rebar) mill, Phase
(iii) Cold rolling mill with Galvanizing and
color-coating lines.
“Starting with a workforce of 60 people and
3000 square meters of covered area in 1995, I
contacted Uganda Investment Authority who
fast tracked the process and in the same year,
we were a given a manufacturing license,” said
Mr. Lalani.

During the anniversary celebrations
The company had the first production of
ironsheets in Lubowa, and since then, they have
not stopped the expansion and manufacturing
of steel products for the construction industry
in Uganda and the East African Community
at large.
“To date, we have invested US $180m worth of capital in Roofing
Rolling Mills and established it in three phases. Phase one involved the
installation and commissioning of a high-tech wire galvanizing plant
unlike any other in Sub-Saharan Africa. The highly advanced machinery
was manufactured and imported from Canada, Italy and Germany, and
applies a patented high-turbulence pickling system with ecologically-
friendly processes,” added Mr. Lalani.
The galvanizing plant has the capacity to produce 12,000 metric tonnes of
galvanized wire per annum. Galvanized steel goes through a zinc-coating
process that keeps it from corroding and rusting.
Phase two, involved the commissioning in 2010 of a hot rolling mill
with the capacity to produce 72,000 metric tonnes of high tensile TMT
reinforced rebars.
Phase three involved the installation of a cold rolling mill complex with a
capacity to produce 180,000 metric tonnes of aluminium-zinc (Aluzinc or
AZED) galvanized iron sheets and pre-paintedAZED ironsheets.
Thriving on quality
Roofings Group has a policy; ‘quality or nothing’. Through this policy,
it has come to be known as a hub of high quality products. It is our
reputation and inspiration.
The company has penetrated markets all over the East African Community
courtesy of their quality products. This has been achieved by adopting the
most modern technology, employing a professionally-trained workforce
and complying with the highest international standards. All the products
conform to the DIN 8062:1988, UNBS and ISO international standards.
The biggest milestone in the 25 years
According to Oliver Lalani, the biggest milestone, though there are
quite a couple, is the realisation of RRM, Namanve. This investment
is incomparable not only in Uganda but in the entire East and Central
African region, perhaps even the continent at large. Uganda’s industrial
development was severely retarded due to the troubles in the 70’s which
Corporate
put it far behind some of its neighbours in manufacturing Design Manual
output.
Date July 2017 | Version 1.0
www.constructionreviewonline.com 5
“The inception of various industrial parks was a key step to encourage
value addition and technological advancement in the manufacturing
sector. When Roofings became the first mover into KIBP, Namanve,
the doors opened for many other companies to follow suit due to the
improvement in infrastructure,” he added.
The challenges experienced
As is the case with any success story, there have been quite a few challenges
which have been faced. Mr. Lalani mentions: Unfair competition,
dumping of construction materials from abroad and relative high cost of
doing business are a few examples.
“However, with the help from government agencies and investment in
technology, one by one the bottlenecks are being opened up so that the
manufacturing sector in general can grow and cater for the ever growing
needs of Ugandans,” he affirms.
“As the 25 years campaign slogan reads; “there is so much more to do”,
which signifies the intention that everyone at Roofings will continue
working hard and keeping on its trajectory of continuous growth and
development. The future of Uganda is bright, and Roofings is a star which
aims to shine brighter each passing moment on this remarkable story of
socio-economic growth in the Pearl of Africa,” affirms Mr. Lalani.
Furthermore, the continuous investment in infrastructural development by
government is another lifeline for the construction sector, especially in
anticipation of the oil and gas activities, there is a lot more construction
being planned. The construction sector’s contribution to Uganda’s GDP is
set to double by the time oil is flowing, which is mega.
Unrivalled Quality at
TERRAIN
PLANT LTD.
Uganda’s reputable supplier of quality generators,
construction equipment, specialized materials
and chemicals backed up by a highly professional
and efficient after sales services
Heavy Duty Generators 10 – 1000KVA Sullair air compressors Concrete Mixers
Gabion boxes,Geosynthetic
Solutions, Geotextiles, Geogrids,
GCLs etc
Power Tools
Light Compaction Equipment
Located at
Plot 93, Lubowa (next to Mildmay Hospital) Lweza, Entebbe Road
+256 393 260086 | +256 772 200951 sales@terrainplant.com www.terrainplant.com
b
Sept - Oct 2019 | CR 35
 PROUDLY
UGANDAN

It’s been What started as a small but determined business, turned Roofings

25 years of hard work, into a trusted brand and the market leader of steel and plastic
construction products.
dedication and Dr. Sikander Lalani our Chairman, together with his team, have
success but, worked passionately to uphold high standards in business
practices. Our efforts towards producing the best quality products,

THERE IS SO creating thousands of jobs, investing in new technologies and

protecting the environment from pollution, have changed the way

MUCH MORE
Africa looks at Uganda.
But we believe that we haven’t really done much yet, because we
want to generate many more jobs and opportunities for Ugandans.

TO DO. We will continue to strengthen Uganda for many more decades.

With your support, we will keep the Pearl of Africa, shining bright.

YEARS
36 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com
 PROFILE

STAINLESS STEEL LTD: HOME TO THE BEST COMMERCIAL

KITCHEN EQUIPMENT

S
tainless Steel Masters Ltd is a privately owned Kenyan
company providing a complete solution in the hospitality
industry by offering design, custom fabrication, supply,
installation and commissioning of commercial kitchens, cold rooms
and freezer rooms as well as air conditioning services.
Stainless Steel Masters Ltd has its production house and a showroom at
Fair Deal Complex along Jogoo Road in Nairobi and a second showroom
is located at Highway Mall, Mombasa Road, Nairobi Kenya The
equipment that they can’t produce locally they import from Italy, Turkey
and Germany.
Their major clientele cuts across the Hospitality Industry. These include
hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, butcheries, learning institutions,
hospitals among others.
Products and Services
requirements and priced competitively to meet most budgets. “Every
product comes to be because we believe in customers ever changing needs
and preferences,” she added.
The progressive product development, test, evaluation and craftsmanship
ensure the equipment meets the customers ever changing needs and also
meets the current food hygiene, health and safety regulations. The quality
and finish of their products is of great quality especially those produced
locally. This attitude has continued to make the company a market leader
in their specialties.
With the intent to be efficient and keeping their customers happy and
content Stainless Steel Masters Ltd also give their customers the luxury
of ordering their products online which allows the customer to continue
with their normal activities as they wait for delivery and installation of
the products.

Stainless Steel Masters Ltd provide various products and services in

relation to their broad and diverse clientele. They include:

Stainless Steel Custom Fabricated Equipment these products include

combined cooking islands, tables, sinks, 4 tier racks among others.

Commercial Refrigeration Equipment these products include a

commercial refrigerators, cold rooms, freezer rooms, ice makers among
others.

Food Processing Equipment these products cut across all their clients
as they include Bone saw, meat slicer and manual meat grinder for the
butcheries, Bread Slicer, juice extractor and knead press for hotels among
other products.

Major Projects

Stainless Steel Masters has undertaken turn-key projects that start from
Designing, Developing, Implementing, Testing and Commissioning.

Some of the major turnkey projects that Stainless Steel Masters Ltd has
participated in include the Elysian Resort, Enashipai Resort, Nairobi
Club, Norfork Hotel, Aga Khan University Hospital among others,

Customer Satisfaction

Stainless Steel Masters Ltd manufacture heavy duty and light duty
equipment that are tailor made locally to meet the customers’ individual

www.constructionreviewonline.com Sept - Oct 2019 | CR 37

38 CR | Sept - Oct 2019 www.constructionreviewonline.com
 Under the patronage of the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing,
Urban Development and Public Works

5 - 7 NOVEMBER 2019
KICC, NAIROBI
10:00 - 18:00

OFFICIAL EXHIBITION OF KENYA’S NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION WEEK

New Exhibitors. More Innovation.

More Workshops. Global Speakers.

220+ 40 CPD 11,000+

Exhibitors Certified Workshops Industry Professionals

Register for free entry

www.thebig5constructkenya.com/reg

Official Government
Partner
Organised by
#Big5kenya
 Advertisers Index

Franki.............................................................................. IFC Vortex Hydra .................................................................. 29

Tononoka Steel ............................................................... 1
Yellow Mark................................................................... 7
Genesis............................................................................ 9
Accurate Steel Mills........................................................ 13
ABECE Steel ................................................................. 15
Woodoc........................................................................... 16
Waterways Africa ........................................................... 16
LaFarge Holcim.............................................................. 17
Protile.............................................................................. 19
Hikoki............................................................................. 20
Davis & Shirtliff.............................................................. 23
Hansgrohe....................................................................... 25
Vollert.............................................................................. 27
Elite Projects Consulting ................................................ 31
Lexis International Ltd ................................................... 31
Ryce East Africa ............................................................. 33
Kens Metals Industries.................................................... 33
Terrain Plants Limited .................................................... 35
Roofing Group................................................................ 36
Stainless Steel Masters ................................................... 37
Bosch East Africa ........................................................... 38
Zedex Fabricators Ltd .................................................... 38
Fit.Tight Fasteners Limited ............................................ 38
The Big 5 Construct Kenya ............................................ 39
Kelkim ............................................................................ 40
Doshi Hardware ............................................................. OBC

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