Construction World May 2015

FORMWORK AND SCAFFOLDING

INNOVATION and

IMPROVEMENT

Construction World spoke to Pre-Form Formwork & Scaffolding about their products, solutions and what gives them the edge.

covers three floors a time, ensuring safety while working at optimal speed and overall optimal construction efficiency In addition we have vastly superior timber formwork girders, laminated veneer lumber as well as Kauffman K1 formwork panels. We are in the process of developing a new modular aluminium slab formwork system which will be launched soon. Does your design office design solutions that can be used by various clients or does it also customise solutions? We offer standard industry accepted systems as well as specialised formwork solutions. All of these solutions are tailored for projects as small as houses up to high rise buildings. Our systems were designed with the SA market in mind and is therefore robust and simple to use. Besides the design of solutions, do you offer programme planning? Our contracts managers will engage with clients in drawing up contract programmes. Our on-site experience gives us credibility and reliability when engaging with clients on all levels especially in the construction of high rise buildings. Where are you solutions manufactured? Do you have you own manufacturing facility? Our parts and components are outsourced to specialist manufactures all around the world as well as South Africa. However, most of the final assembly and manufacturing of

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What do you regard as Pre-Form’s unique selling point? We focus on re-sale solutions and not product alone. Pre-Form prides itself on our constant product and system improve- ment and our innovation, while our service offering includes market tailored solutions while we offer a high level of on-site support. You have been in existence for three decades: how has the company stayed at the forefront for this long? Our products and solutions are dependent on the right people to execute our compa- ny’s vision and service ideals – so we have always had a dynamic team in all facets of our business. How big is your footprint? Pre-Form’s contracting division focuses on the Gauteng region which places us in a stronger position to offer successful solu- tions. However, we have exported products to many countries including in Europe, the whole of Africa and Australasia. How big is your team? Our middle and senior management teams consists of 25 employees compiled from all walks of life.

How do you ensure that this team/employees stay on top of their game?

We encourage and empower our employees to take ownership of their own projects. This creates a culture where employees feel responsible for their own decision-making and the ultimate success of their individual tasks/projects. Pre-Form has been responsible for several South African firsts? What are these? Our hydraulic climbers provides safety and speed, ensuring overall optimal construction efficiency. After the initial start-up, the self- climbing system operates independently to allow site cranage to be freed up for other activities. This independence from the site crane ensures that continual stripping and climbing of forms are achieved in the most cost effective manner. Another advantage is that operations can be carried out in various weather conditions, while simultaneously providing maximum protection for site personnel. Hydraulic windshields is another one. This is an innovative external hydraulically powered self-climbing vertical protection system that slides upwards as building progresses. The system provides slab edge protection as well as a wind shield that

CONSTRUCTION WORLD MAY 2015