Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa November/December 2014 | Page 14

valuable resource, our staff. Like many other companies, cost
saving measures had to be implemented and static salary
packages were accepted by loyal staff members in order to retain
our experienced teams intact.

DUBAI OPERA HOUSE – Destined to become an international
icon and styled on the classic wooden dhows that are synonymous
with the renowned Dubai Creek, this 2,000 seat multi-format
venue is being constructed in downtown Dubai near the Burj
Khalifa tower, on the lake with its spectacular fountains.

the pain at the start of 2010, when the pipeline of World Cup
soccer initiated projects started coming to an end. It was also
apparent internationally in Dubai in 2012, when a strong order
book at the start of the crisis began to run out, with sparse
prospects going forward.
MLC have always practiced a long term forward looking policy.
As a result of having lived through a number of economic cycles
in its history, the directors established a policy of setting aside
company reserves for a ‘rainy day’. Whilst certain tough decisions
had to be made and necessary restructuring implemented, it
was the company reserves that enabled us to retain our most

Current and Future Success
With this phase fortunately behind us, the Group is now in
the strongest position ever recorded in their history, in terms
of experienced human resources, hands-on leadership,
order book both current and going forward. Returning to his
opening comment concerning the recognition of the company
by its current profile in the industry, Stricker noted that MLC’s
accumulated expertise over the years was very much evident in
its current order book, where he highlighted a number of diverse
projects currently under construction as interspersed within
this article.
MLC’s profile in the industry is also evidenced through the
annual SAPOA property awards where, over the previous three
years, MLC has been involved in no fewer than seven of the award
winning projects (refer to the SAPOA awards related advert
placed by MLC immediately following this article).
Finally, Stricker stressed that whilst MLC operated globally, it
remained, fundamentally, a South African company with 50% of
income earned locally with the entire Group owned and managed
by South Africans. In terms of its local operations, the structure
of the company is increasingly reflecting local demographics
and together with a partnership with Chedza International, it is
currently registered as a level 3 BBBEE contributor.
Finally, Stricker enthused that the most exciting aspect relating
to the turn-around in business since the world economic slump,
had been the ability to develop and expand a whole new talent
base, which will contribute to carrying the company towards its
centenary in 22 years time.
For further info, please visit their website: www.mlcqs.com

ATRIUM ON 5TH – recycling of an existing 25,000m2 office block in Sandton Johannesburg into a modern
4 star green rated building, with a spectacular high performance double glazed façade.

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