Construction World October 2021

success over the years to its people talent who carried the GIBB brand as it executed some of the most complex engineering projects on the African continent. “Today, having returned the ownership to South Africans in 2002 and becoming a 100% broad-based employee-owned company in 2006, we still view ourselves as competing with the best in the world. This was aptly described by former Chairman, Dr Don Mkhwanazi when he stated in his 60 th anniversary message: “GIBB demonstrated with distinction that black economic empowerment can be implemented with dignity and pride that is beyond reproach. A shining example and a beacon of hope for the South African industry, GIBB competes in a space dominated by multinational firms, but remains wholly South African owned.” The journey over 65 years carries with it many stories of success, disappointment, ingenuity, courage, transformation and agility. From its early days as a partnership in Cape Town, providing electrical and structural engineering services, GIBB evolved into a leading multi-disciplinary company, offering services across power, transportation, property, water, mining and now more recently the oil and gas market. “In line with our ethos to always be agile, the GIBB Group of Companies has evolved its role in the delivery of engineering and infrastructure projects. Through our subsidiaries and affiliates, we now partner with project developers and owners to finance early- stage project development in the water sector, undertake joint development of renewable energy projects and provides life cycle services, such as asset management and operations & maintenance of infrastructure projects. We believe this integrated offering makes us an attractive partner for developers and owners of infrastructure assets,” adds Vries. GIBB has to date delivered some of the largest and most complex infrastructure projects, from the design and building of a new 500-bed ICU hospital in 30 weeks during COVID; to being an integral part of the team overseeing the building of the first rapid- rail project in South Africa (Gautrain); leading the team designing and delivering the largest pump-storage scheme in the southern hemisphere (Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme); leading the team designing and delivering a dam to supply the economic hub of South Africa (Lesotho Highlands 2); being an integral part of the teaming planning, designing and delivering a new 68-000 seat world cup stadium in record time (Cape Town Stadium); designing the signalling system to ensure that millions of passengers are safely transported across the country on our rail systems (Prasa Signalling projects); designing key components of a new mine with critical time constraints and a limited budget; helping to solve the power problems in SA; and developing a detailed plan for transforming an existing highly populous African city to a modern and world class city (Port Harcourt, Nigeria). “Our ability to develop these projects is enhanced by our integrated approach and the various partnerships we have created over the years. We always seek out partners who share our drive for excellence – be they local or international. When we acquired SVA International in 2013, we were not only attracted by the architectural aesthetics of their great projects, but we also saw an opportunity to create an integrated professional services offering for the property sector,” notes Vries. When GIBB and EDF (a global French energy company) joined hands in 2018 to form GIBB Power, it was from the realisation that South Africa (and the rest of Africa) is in great need for both local and global expertise to respond to the power challenge. “Similarly, we work closely with SAIPEM (Milan based oil & gas EPC firm) to find climate change solutions to industry in Southern Africa. Our project development initiatives are being supported through a partnership agreement with Crede Capital Partners (a financial and investment services company),” concludes Vries. 

9 CONSTRUCTION WORLD OCTOBER 2021