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| TRANSFERRING SKILLS | |
| Five years ago, Rocla, a leader in precast manufacture, identified an area within the construction industry that was not being addressed. This was the transfer of skills to the many emerging contractors being given an opportunity to tender. Even though the playing fields were supposed to be level, emerging contractors were at a great disadvantage. Their experience in quantities, pricing, delivery and the actual execution of the contract was minimal, and led to their exploitation. | |
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The Rocla Academy was founded in response to
this need. It is a facility which teaches people the technical and the
practical aspects of Rocla products and applications. In order to reach as
many emerging contractors as possible, Rocla works closely with the
Metros, municipalities and consulting engineers who provide details of
those who would benefit from attending. The courses are offered free of
charge.
A typical session involves a professional lecturer, and often many other players with related interests, who present to those attending. For example, a cement producer may be invited to speak on cement specifications and concrete mixes, or a training organisation may provide assistance in completing tender requirements. Interaction from participants is encouraged at all times. The response from the industry has been extremely encouraging with the likes of SA Women in Construction (SAWIC) and Black Contractors Federation (BCF) coming out in full support of the programme. “We give students a lecture on how to install Rocla products such as pipes, poles, culverts and manholes, followed by a tour of the factory to see what methods are used in making the end product,” says Sol Makola, Rocla’s business development manager. “The lectures also include background information such as the reason for a sewer, how a sewer system works and the load and strengths of buried concrete pipes. “Many participants have remarked on the upward learning curve they experience, as well as the knowledge gained from attending these lectures. Students learn cost savings and are able to apply the right procedures in actual construction situations,” Sol adds. The work of the Rocla Academy is not only limited to emerging contractors, but has already been extended into Technikons around the country, and is open to anyone within the industry who can benefit from learning the importance of selection, correct handling and laying procedures for concrete pipes and culverts. The Academy currently operates from Rocla’s Head Office in Roodepoort, but is likely to operate nationwide in the future. For additional information, contact Sol Makola on 011 670 7600. Disposals Recent disposals by Murray & Roberts include the businesses of Johnson Crane Hire and Gearings Foundry. Gearings Foundry was sold in January to an international investor, Industrial Investment Holdings, which has supply interests in the local and global automotive industries. As a relatively small production facility, Gearings could not be integrated into Murray & Roberts’ strategy for its foundries group, which is focused on high volume world class production of engine system components. Johnson Crane Hire was sold in 2002 in a leveraged buy out transaction led by financial services group, Mettle. The transaction was concluded for a cash consideration of R142 million, the net asset value of Johnson Crane Hire at the effective date of 1 January 2002. The bulk of the funding was sourced by Mettle from offshore financiers. Murray & Roberts group chief executive,
Brian Bruce, said that the transaction was consistent with the ongoing
disposal programme in terms of the Rebuilding Murray & Roberts strategy. |
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The response from the industry has been extremely encouraging. |
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New Appointments
Mr Martin Shaw has been appointed a non-executive director to the board of Murray & Roberts Holdings Limited. He was chief executive of Deloitte & Touche from 1991 to 1999, and chairman in South Africa until his retirement in 2001. |
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Richard Saxby joined Murray & Roberts in
September 2002 as managing director of Murray & Roberts Civils (Pty) Ltd.
Richard (54) is well known in the construction industry, having been a senior executive in the Stocks & Stocks Group and managing director of its construction business. He has played a significant role in construction industry affairs over the years, especially in the areas of skills development and training. |
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Dr Geoff Cowley will be located in Dubai as
chief executive of our Middle East activities. Geoff is a metallurgist by
background, with considerable international business experience. Dr Millard Arnold joins the corporate leadership team as commercial director. Millard is a lawyer by profession, with solid commercial and business experience in the USA and Africa. |
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Partners against HIV/Aids
Much Asphalt has become a role model in the Murray & Roberts group for the effective management of HIV/AIDS in the workplace. Since Much Asphalt implemented a comprehensive, consultative HIV/AIDS strategy in 2001, managing director Philip Hechter reports a high level of awareness about the illness in the company. “Our strategy aims to prevent further HIV infections and to treat, care for and support those who are living with HIV,” he says. Raj Rajcoomar, QA/HSE manager, explains how Much Asphalt has gone about implementing the strategy. “Our first priority was to identify regional champions for the project and enlist volunteers from all parts of the company to be trained as peer educators. “The peer educators then formed regional and provincial structures to implement the strategy. We now have committees and co-ordinators in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. “The committees meet monthly to evaluate programmes and interventions, to determine successes, challenges and future needs and to develop plans of action, including the distribution of educational materials and condoms.” Networking with partners, such as medical doctors, local government health departments, pharmaceutical companies and health NGOs, is an important element of the strategy as it enables the sharing of knowledge and resources. All Much Asphalt employees are encouraged to have HIV tests and to educate their families and communities about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Support is provided for employees who are living with AIDS and they are encouraged to attend peer educators’ meetings to discuss their experiences and share ideas. Peer educators arrange regular field trips to visit HIV-positive people and hospices in the communities in which they work and live. For additional information, contact Raj Rajcoomar: CELL: 083 452 3045 |
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