Construction World May 2018

Mapei South Africa’s new manufacturing facility in Germiston.

Gearing for growth

Construction chemical manufacturer, Mapei South Africa, has unveiled its impressive new local manufacturing facility in Germiston where it expects to manufacture a wide range of products to meet burgeoning demands for the next 15-20 years. Antony Offenberg, Mapei South Africa general manager.

Since entering the market in 2011 the company has earned a sound reputation for technical expertise which has led to a growing customer-base and significant slice of market share. Its focus on quality has also paid dividends and moved the manufacturer to become one of the leading local suppliers of construction chemicals and adhesives in Southern Africa. Mapei South Africa general manager, Antony Offenberg, says the growth of the company is largely a result of its customer-centric approach and unique focus on quality. While growing the business in South Africa it has carefully noted the requirements of the market, as well as individual customers to develop solutions that meet their

“We moved swiftly to meet these requirements and the advanced new manufacturing plant, supported by smart technical teams, as well as support infrastructure, such as laboratories and training facilities is the culmination of these requirements. “Even in the recent tough economic conditions we have invested heavily in the construction industry in the knowledge that we will be best positioned when the economy picks up and the construction industry booms once again. With this kind of infrastructure in place we will easily meet the requirements of the retail industry, contractors and professionals who are currently planning largescale projects and vast infrastructure upgrades,” says Offenberg. Big player He adds that while Mapei South Africa’s new manufacturing facility is right up there with the biggest construction chemical and adhe- sive manufacturers in the country, its method of servicing customers will remain customer centric. “As a family-owned business we will always take a considered and caring approach to meet customers’ requirements and one where our technical staff evaluate require- ments and make recommendations based on their own technical skills and the combined intellectual property of our global group.” Customers will have access to the company’s vast product range that includes additives used in the manufacture of cement, concrete additives, adhesives, and a wide range of specialised construction and related chemicals. Both liquid and powder products are manufactured at the Germiston plant and are available in handy retail orientated packages or in bulk capacity for largescale contracts. All products are manufactured according to relevant standards and endorse the highest possible compliance towards sustainable environmental practices and standards. This is carried across through all training courses and seminars offered at the company’s state-of-the-art onsite training facility where global experts are regularly brought in to share their skills with contractors, installers, as well as building industry professionals. Wide range “Whether it be cement production, down-the-line concrete manufacture or cured product repairs and finishing we are in a position to produce technical solutions that meet the market’s requirements. With our vast skills set we are a multi-faceted solutions provider that competes with construction chemical suppliers across all phases of the construction timeline. And, our focus on technical service and training truly sets us apart,” Offenberg concludes. 

current and future needs. National standards

“For example, we found that top of our customers’ wants, was for high-quality products to be widely available with sufficient stock available to complete projects anywhere throughout the sub-region. In addition, they needed the assurance that the products meet international as well as SABS quality standards.

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD MAY 2018