Tag: Databuild

In construction, return on investment (ROI) is not only measured on-site. It begins long before a tender is published, with the quality of the information your team uses to decide where to spend its time. I often meet contractors, suppliers and manufacturers who work very hard, chasing dozens of possibilities, yet still feel as if they are always a step behind.

We work closely with building product manufacturers and service providers across South Africa’s construction sector. A common question we hear is: “How do we get our products specified by architects?” This is a critical challenge that many face. Getting specified by architects early in the design process can secure a project, or result in missing out entirely.

The growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria is having a significant impact on how building projects are planned, executed, and managed in South Africa. If anything, it is reshaping the construction landscape when it comes to promoting sustainable development and improving social outcomes.

Globally, the building and construction industry has been putting more emphasis on using energy-efficient technologies and equipment to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption in buildings. This has resulted in the integration of renewable energy sources in building designs with solar panels, wind turbines, and even geothermal systems becoming commonplace.

Load shedding remains a thorn in the side of all South Africans and the country’s government, and it’s no surprise that more people are considering the move to solar as a renewable alternative energy source. However, the market is fraught with danger for the unsuspecting and desperate homeowner and consumers need to inform themselves and proceed with caution.

As the winter season tightens its icy grip on South Africa, so the prospect of continued load shedding looms ever larger. And while some organisations have put measures in place to reduce energy demand in their buildings, most are not as energy efficient as they could be.

With the struggle against COVID-19 far from over, South Africa faces a long and tough road ahead as it strives to mitigate the devastating economic impact of the global pandemic. The construction industry, which was already in a negative growth phase prior to the outbreak of the virus, has been particularly hard hit and many companies are struggling to stay afloat.

Countless businesses have come to a grinding halt during lockdown and the fear that this will affect their employees on a personal level is very real. Many are struggling to pay their staff and are having to decide whether to implement salary cuts or begin retrenchment processes.

The construction industry is unique in that developers, manufacturers, suppliers, contractors and sub-contractors are all in the same cash stream, and when a company at the top end of the chain becomes financially distressed it has a knock-on effect on the rest of the industry.