Construction World August 2023

BUILDING

THE BOXING OF ROCKS FOR CIVILS AND BUILDING

When Gabion Baskets was started in 2006 by Managing Director Louis Cheyne, its products and services were geared towards civil engineering and mining. However, gabion structures are increasingly being used in the architectural segment as their geometric shapes and stone composition lends their to architectural building industries. Gabion structures do not just have an aesthetic appeal, but can combine this with civil engineering functionality for use in both building and landscaping. Construction World spoke to MD Louis Cheyne about the company’s agility and offerings.

C heyne explains that he started Gabion Baskets in 2006 as he had a vision to assist civil engineers with the design and supply of gabions for use in various civil engineering contexts such as the riverine environment, and the prevention of rockfalls and flooding. “The company has now diversified into various market segments that include architectural, civil engineering and landscaping domestically and further afield in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands,” says Cheyne. Apart from these sectors, Gabion Baskets also assists the private sector and is therefore able to offer a tailored product. “We are able to focus on the individual’s needs and adapt the product to the application,” say Cheyne. More than a civil engineering product Gabions are best suited for use in civil engineering where they assist with erosion control, and can be used against the sides of river embankments, for retaining collapsible embankments and for the prevention of rock falls next to roads. Gabion Baskets increasingly supplies the landscape and architectural sectors with gabions as besides its aesthetic quality, they have the functional use of being retaining walls

and even structural walls. The gabion can be filled with a variety of rock – from granite to dolerite and stone that increase its aesthetic value. “Three types of gabions are offered: galvanised, galvanised and PVC coated and welded mesh,” says Cheyne. These come in various sizes. “We manufacture Class A galvanised, galvanised with an additional PVC coating and hexagonal type woven wire mesh gabion materials,” he says. The woven mesh has a high tensile strength and simultaneously has a high compressive strength when filled with rock. The company’s raw products are manufactured from companies in Johannesburg while the products are all manufactured in its Johannesburg factory – and use local labour. “We employ up to 60 people in the factory as it is a highly labour intensive process,” says Cheyne. Job creation is important to Gabion Baskets. “After a project has been completed it is important for us to leave behind some of the skills to the locals that we employed for the duration of the project,” says Cheyne. He adds that Gabion Baskets is now a fully integrated company that designs, manufactures and assists with the installation of gabions. “We have three branches in South Africa

38 CONSTRUCTION WORLD AUGUST 2023