Engineering News | Features | Steel Construction and Cladding

https://staging1.creamermedia.com/

Steel Construction and Cladding

Award winner’s roofing method breaks record for longest roof span

By: Lynne Davies 24th November 2023 Manufacturer, merchandiser and steel distributor Macsteel, offering broader insight into the project that resulted in its winning three awards at the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc) Steel Awards 2023, notes that its unique process produced “record-breaking” roofing... →

Local sector a major player

24th November 2023 The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction’s (Saisc’s) 2023 Steel Awards highlighted the collaboration between steel value chain participants, including architects, designers, engineers and construction companies, who delivered “world-class” projects across the African continent. The... →

The above image depicts the Pick n Pay Distribution Centre East Port project that earned a place in the Guinness World Records for the innovative solutions for handling and installation required of the unprecedented roof sheeting lengths

Photo by SAISC
GUINESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER The Pick n Pay Distribution Centre East Port project earned a place in the Guinness World Records for the innovative solutions for handling and installation required of the unprecedented roof sheeting lengths

Galvanising improves longevity, recyclability

24th November 2023 The main application of zinc is to protect steel from corrosion through hot-dip galvanizing, with the zinc-steel combination creating significant economic benefits in terms of life cycle costs. Air quality in many industrialised countries with high levels of sulphur dioxide encourages the use of... →

Unique panel installation at centre

24th November 2023 The addition of another 5.74 MW of solar power at Eastgate Shopping Centre, east of Johannesburg, is being undertaken by diversified infrastructure and construction company Concor, while keeping the movement of tenants and shoppers unaffected. The solar panels to generate this power will cover 30... →

The above image depicts the concrete columns that secure the steelwork have to be drilled and dowelled onto the existing columns supporting the rooftop slabs, transferring the weight to the centre’s foundations

Photo by Concor
BUILDING INTO THE FOUNDATION The concrete columns that secure the steelwork have to be drilled and dowelled onto the existing columns supporting the rooftop slabs, transferring the weight to the centre’s foundations

Company supplies innovative products to sector

By: Cameron Mackay 25th November 2022 The prevalence of build projects for new warehouses, distribution centres and other logistics infrastructure has provided local steel supplier Macsteel with opportunities to supply its innovative products for steel construction and cladding projects. Some of these products include Novotexi and... →

INNOVATIVE ROOF BUILDING Sky Forming streamlines the roofing of megabuild projects

Capabilities of local industry rewarded

By: Cameron Mackay 25th November 2022 The 2022 Steel Awards – presented by industry body the Southern African Institute for Steel Construction (SAISC) last month – honoured the capabilities of the local steel construction industry. “Category winners and runners-up projects have shown once again that the South African steel industry... →

Image of people attending Steel Awards 2022

RECOGNISING INNOVATION The Steel featured more categories - including automotive, agri-industrial, mining, residential and others – and also added categories for Regional Winners

Trade, property developments, standards can grow industry

By: Cameron Mackay 25th November 2022 The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will offer growth opportunities for the local steel cladding sector as States ramp up extraction of their mineral and other natural resources, says Southern African Metal Cladding and Roofing Association (Samcra) executive director Dennis White.... →

New branches bring steel closer to customers

By: Cameron Mackay 25th November 2022 The new branches in Polokwane, in Limpopo, and Windhoek, in Namibia, have enabled steel products supplier Stewarts & Lloyds (S&L) to bring steel closer to customers, who would normally have had to wait for deliveries from a larger branch. “We’ve brought the steel to their doorstep; customers can... →

EXPANDED FOOTPRINT The two new outlets have helped to supply in areas where there is demand

Second phase of plant expansion begins

By: Claire O'Reilly 19th November 2021 Secondary steel manufacturer Veer Steel Mills has entered its second phase of expansion with the construction of a melt shop – the newest addition to its plant in Alrode, Alberton. →

Picture of Veers steel Mills alrode Plant

MELTING AWAY A melt shop has commenced construction and will be the newest addition to Veer’s plant in Alrode, Alberton

New depot nears completion

19th November 2021 As the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) cruises to the end of transport month, it is worth noting that the Selby Rea Vaya bus rapid transit (BRT) depot is edging closer to reaching practical completion in one of the heavier industrial nodes in the inner city. →

LSFB creates faster, more economical construction

By: Claire O'Reilly 19th November 2021 Developers, local authorities and housing associations are quickly embracing steel framing technology, such as light-steel-frame building (LSFB), says the International Zinc Association Africa Desk (IZA Africa Desk). →

Cladding used in solar tress

19th November 2021 Aligned to Liberty Two Degrees (L2D) Good Spaces building block, which aims to minimise the impact on the natural environment while creating spaces that are agile, adaptable and aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals as well as L2D's 2030 Net Zero carbon target, L2D’s... →

Picture of solar tree used to generate electricity at Eastgate mall

MAN-MADE PHOTOSYNTHESIS The solar trees have continued to efficiently generate energy since October 2020

IBT construction reduces cost, time

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 20th November 2020 Student accommodation group STAG African says it can reduce construction time and costs for student accommodation using innovative building technology (IBT) – a first for Africa. “By using such technologies, developers can reduce building time by 40%, which has the effect of reducing associated... →

BUILDING CONSENSUS When the industry becomes more satisfied with this approach to building, and realises the cost benefits of IBT, the uptake of IBT in construction will increase

Bridge takes top spot at Steel Awards

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 20th November 2020 The new V&A Swing Bridge took top honours at the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction’s (SAISC’s) inaugural virtual Steel Awards last month. “Ingenuity, creativity and excellence were showcased during the live stream event, with the coveted titles of Overall Winner and Bridge Category... →

FAR AND WIDE The new swing bridge spans 40 m and the deck is cable-stayed, with a single plane of four locked coil cables connecting to a central, upstand spine beam

Increased use of light steel frame

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 20th November 2020 There is a significant increase in the use of light steel frame (LSF) in construction – despite it still being a relatively new building material in the South African market. This increase is mostly owed to the multitude of benefits it offers over traditional building methods, says LSF... →

FAR AND WIDE Futurecon plans to keep expanding the use of LSF in the large-scale commercial sector

Cloud-based software anchors steel construction design

By: Halima Frost 22nd November 2019 Construction industry services and technology provider Hilti South Africa’s new, fully cloud-based steel anchor design software Profis has been well received in the South African construction sector. Launched in July, Profis Engineering is customised software used in the design of steel anchor... →

HARD JOB The new cloud-based software makes the design of steel erections, stiffeners and welding associated with the connection easier

Industry boasts third positive year despite global downturn

By: Halima Frost 22nd November 2019 Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) chief economist and commercial executive Dr Michael Ade says the local metals and engineering (M&E) industry has thus far had a third ‘good year’ in a row. This is in spite of the current challenge of increasing intermediate... →

BRIGHT FUTURE Improved trade to to the Southern African Development Community brings with it a positive outlook for the steel construction industry

Large contracts taking up fire rated cladding

By: Halima Frost 22nd November 2019 South African steel supplier Stalcor has successfully negotiated to supply its Alubond mineral core (A2) noncombustible façade cladding panels for State-owned Airports Company South Africa’s Western Precinct development, which is currently under way. “This is the fourth notable project where the... →

PRETTY LADY The A2 cladding on the Katherine towers is not only aesthetically pleasing but also noncombustible

Andrew Mentis

19th November 2019 Established in 1950, Andrew Mentis started as a precision engineering works and has grown into a leading supplier of steel grating on the African continent. Grating is an engineered product and Andrew Mentis manufactures it in such a way as to ensure that it has the appropriate load-bearing... →

Firm’s design breathes new life into industry

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd November 2018 Multidisciplinary consulting engineering firm Arup was commended for its finalist entry of the V&A Grain Silo Complex façade in the architectural category at the 2018 South African Steel Awards, held last month. The R500-million V&A Grain Silo project, once an agricultural silo for grain storage... →

CROWN JEWEL The V&A Grain Silo Complex project was once an agricultural silo for grain storage, and is now features prominently in the silo district development

Early days for stainless steel in cladding, construction industry

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd November 2018 The South African stainless steel in construction and cladding market is in an early developmental stage, despite many architectural projects having been completed over the past few decades, says South African Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) Western Cape regional manager Michel... →

INTO FOCUS Stainless steel in cladding construction brings the advantages into focus

Trade wars costly to long-term construction projects

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd November 2018 Owing to the global trade war in steel prices, local manufacturers, such as local steel fabricator Fabcon, are finding it difficult to quote for long-term construction projects. “The stockholding of any steel company is dramatically reduced, as companies are unwilling to hold stock for a longer... →

ANDREW VAN GOOL Companies are unwilling to hold stock for a longer period of time

Steel construction, cladding industry demand to continue increasing

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd November 2018 The demand for steel in South Africa’s construction and cladding sector will continue to increase, owing to its myriad of applications and ease of installation, says steel gratings, stair treads, pressed floors and safety handrails manufacturer Vital Engineering technical director Glen Pringle.... →

DIVERSIFIED PRODUCT OFFERING Vital Engineering supplies various items, including stainless steel handrails, GRP products, galvanised steel gratings and stainless steel gratings

BMW plant refurbishment project nabs Steel Award

24th November 2017 This year’s Steel Awards, hosted by the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction and sponsored by steel manufacturer and supplier Aveng Trident Steel, saw BMW’s heavy electric monorail system (H-EMS) win both the overall winner award, and the Safal Steel Innovation Category award. The... →

ROOF ASSEMBLY A new roof structure was erected over the existing B50 while the assembly plant remained fully operational

Company embraces industry trends and challenges

By: Nica Schreuder 24th November 2017 The major trend in steel construction globally is very much towards high-end automation driven by integrated software solutions, which has led to local industrial manufacturer and distributor First Cut’s embracing this trend through energy- efficient capital equipment and consumables from their... →

TIMED INVESTMENT The Bystronic laser, a significant capital investment, is one that is best done at the downturn of the industry, or just after the upturn

Declining industry could compromise steel industry quality standards

By: Nica Schreuder 24th November 2017 Cost-cutting measures have been forced upon companies that wish to remain in business in the steel construction and cladding sector, however, this could have a major impact on product safety and performance, with price considerations often taking precedence over quality and safety.... →

DODDS PRINGLE Clients must be aware of advertised quality standards in the steel construction industry

Outdoor gym sites increase

By: Nica Schreuder 24th November 2017 With there being an increase in steel-constructed outdoor gym equipment nationally, Johannesburg-based outdoor gym equipment manufacturer Lani Service Centre has contacted self-lubricating bearings and bushes manufacturer Vesconite to provide hard-wearing, self-lubricating bushings for the... →

SOCIAL COHESION An example of some of the hard-wearing gym equipment that has been produced by Lani Service Centre

Steel Awards 2017 confirms LSFB growth

24th November 2017 This year’s annual Steel Awards, hosted by the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction, showed excellent growth for the South African light steel frame building (LSFB) industry, with more than 25 000 m2 represented in category entries. The awards, which took place on September 13, saw 19... →

SUMMIT PLACE The Assupol Building, the 11-storey winning office block in the Summit Place development

Steel company’s optimism fuels technology investment appetite

By: Nica Schreuder 24th November 2017 Steel supplier and processing company Allied Steelrode’s optimism regarding long-term prospects for South Africa’s economy and steel industry has prompted it to continually invest in quality steel equipment. Such an investment was made through the buying of the BLM Adige LT20 jumbo tube laser in... →

Photo by Bloomberg
TUBULAR INNOVATION The LT20 creates new possibilities and innovation for architects and structural designers

LSFB demand shows steady growth

By: Victor Moolman 12th August 2016 The use of light steel frame (LSF) building has been growing steadily for the last seven years, partially owing to architects looking for alternative building methods to overcome the inefficiencies of conventional masonry building, says the Southern African Light Steel Frame Building Association... →

Enamel steel cladding supplied to new ATC tower

By: Victor Moolman 12th August 2016 South Africa-based Vitrex’s vitreous enamel steel cladding has been used at the new air traffic control (ATC) tower in Muscat, in Oman, and can withstand the corrosive, abrasive and high saline coastal conditions. →

OMAN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER The new air traffic control tower, in Oman, has been cladded with vitreous enamel steel cladding

Steel construction company receives major contracts in Saudi Arabia

12th August 2016 Steel fabricator Zamil Steel Construction Company (ZSCC) was awarded a new contract in July valued at R23.1-million by Chinese contractor Sepco 3 for the Riyadh Power Plant (PP) 14 project in the central region of Saudi Arabia. →

Photo by Duane Daws
STEEL CONSTRUCTION Zamil will be building a prebuilt steel building for the Saudi Electricity Company

Weld-cladding services benefit petrochemicals industry

By: Bruce Montiea 14th August 2015 Stakeholders in the petrochemicals industry are reaping the benefits of using welding specialist Hydra-Arc’s method of weld cladding, as it enables vessels to contain corrosive material. Hydra-Arc engineer Ewan Huisamen tells Engineering News that weld cladding is the most robust and durable form... →

EFFECTIVE CLADDING Hydra-Arc considers weld cladding to be the most robust and durable form of cladding

Record LSFB entries for 2015 Steel Awards

14th August 2015 The record number of light steel frame building (LSFB) project entries for the 2015 Steel Awards is a sign of the growing impact that LSFB is having on the steel construction and building industries, says steel construction industry body the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction... →

EXCELLENT INVESTMENT The Kirstenbosch Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway in Cape Town is one of the more eye-catching entries at this year’s steel awards

Steel institute to increase presence in Africa

By: Bruce Montiea 14th August 2015 Steel construction industry promoter the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc) believes its renewed strategic focus involving increasing its presence in the rest of the African continent will help the local steel construction industry survive the current trying economic... →

BETTER BUILDING PRACTICES Saisc offers training courses to improve the workmanship of its members

Global use of vitreous enamel steel increasing

By: Bruce Montiea 14th August 2015 The global market, with knowledge of and a demand for vitreous enamel steel, particularly for use in public areas, is maturing, says custom-made vitreous enamelled steel products manufacturer Vitrex. Vitrex sales and marketing director Cristian Cottino tells Engineering News that this maturation... →

GLOBAL APPLICATION Vitraclad has been used at Liverpool Central Station

Steel construction companies advised to invest in training

14th August 2015 Steel construction companies should use quieter business periods, caused by negative economic conditions, to improve the skills of their workers, says steel construction industry body the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (Saisc) education director Spencer Erling. He says one of... →

From left: interns from Vaal University of Technology at Saisc offices Mpho Mukhudwani, Lugisani Mavhimbi and Ritshidze Mavhungu

Cladding weatherproofs buildings for design working life

14th August 2015 The main function of a cladding system is to weatherproof a building for its design working life or a period specified by the owner, says Southern African Metal Cladding and Roofing Association (Samcra) director Dennis White. However, as environments differ, it is imperative that the protective... →

CORRODED FASTENER Fasteners and washers with inferior protective coatings may initially save money, but will ultimately create more maintenance costs

Editorial Insight

Trading in focus

more

Business Leader

Leigh Ann Johannsen

Leigh Johannsen, MD of Check-Your-Driver

more

Cartoon

SHOCK ABSORBER

more

Photo of the week

GREENER SHIPPING

more

RSS Feed

About

Engineering News is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa
Polity

Newsletters

Sign up for our FREE daily email newsletter

Receive daily sector news alerts

More

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Engineering News is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options

Subscribe