profile
to shoddy materials. Increased knowledge will ensure that structures will last longer and no reconstruction will have to be done. This combination will make more money available for future projects, as it will not be used for repairs.
At our strategic planning meeting held in mid-September last year, the management committee deliberated on the status of our industry. We concluded that Sarma currently represents approximately twothirds of the industry, and we will need to embrace an even greater majority in future to avoid losing our identity and also to make a more meaningful contribution to the overall construction industry.
Knowledge is the key to prosperity. Sarma, in association with the other concrete associations, will bring this concrete knowledge to those that need it most. We will also strive to derive a greater benefit from the consolidation of the concrete industry bodies.
RG: You mentioned the consolidation of concrete industry bodies. Could you give us more information on this? JvW: This process is currently under discussion and we do not have specific target dates on the final consolidation or on what this new‘ body’ is going to look like. One thing is clear, though: the various concrete industry associations are striving to bring a better service to the industry as a whole and especially to our members.
RG: Does the ready-mix industry currently have any form of standardisation? JvW: One of our objectives as Sarma is to develop industry standards that promote the use of ready-mix concrete. The manufacture of high-quality concrete at the proper consistency is a process that requires the right mix proportions of quality materials. To achieve this, the batching plants have to be of a specific standard and regularly maintained.
All Sarma members must adhere to stringent policies and members are audited regularly. The plant audits ensure compliance with the Sarma Health and Safety, Quality and Environmental Standards. These audits are based on SANS 878, the ISO 9001-2000 quality management system, OHSAS 18001-safety management, and the ISO 14000 environment management system, among others.
RG: How important do you think is standardisation and regulation of the industry? JvW: Concrete is the most used construction material globally, and I am passionate about it being done right the first time. Education and training are two of my passions and I live to transfer skills to everybody that has quality concrete in mind. Ready-mix provides a more structured way to achieve quality concrete, and that’ s why I think regulation of the ready-mix industry will give us better, more affordable concrete and structures in future.
RG: What, in your opinion, are the prospects for infrastructure and building development for 2017? JvW: According to Dr Roelof Botha, an economist and the managing director of GOPA Group Southern Africa, who spoke at the recent Readymix Conference organised by Sarma, the South African economy is poised to grow by 2 – 3 % in real terms in 2017. He says this will have a knock-on effect in the building and construction sectors, and will lead the way out of the protracted downturn the market has experienced.
On the building front, the number of building plans being passed is on the rise, and this will lead to increased activity in future when these plans are converted to actual building projects. Another indication of improvement is that hardware sales are increasing. This is an inherently stable market and the slightest bit of improvement in the economy should translate to growth in the sector.
With the advent of new players in the cement market, the increased competition has pushed cement prices down. Similarly, more competition in the ready-mix market, coupled with lower cement prices, has pushed concrete prices down. Unfortunately, the barrier to entry for ready-mix producers is relatively low, which has opened the market to unscrupulous producers that do not produce the right quality of ready-mix concrete.
In a recent market size survey, Sarma found 344 ready-mix plants around the country, representing 139 companies— and this is still growing. It is important that specifiers insist on quality ready-mix concrete, to ensure that all producers have a level playing field when tendering. The market size survey also showed an increase in the use of ready-mix concrete by 390 000m 3 from 2014 to 2015, and this increase is projected to continue.
RG: Do you have any specific plans or goals for the association in 2017 / 18? JvW: Our Members Value Proposition stands as our guide for the next few years. The ultimate goal is still to grow quality ready-mix concrete usage to 30 % of total cement consumption by 2020 and to grow our membership of accredited producer members to 95 % of the market by 2020. n
Sarma
Sarma’ s purpose is to set standards and guidelines for ready-mix concrete with regard to environmental, safety, and quality issues.
Sarma
A recent market size survey showed an increase in the use of ready-mix concrete by 390 000m 3 from 2014 to 2015.
QUARRY SA | march 2017 _ 35