The Civil Engineering Contractor October 2018 | Page 35

PROFILE
is simultaneously humbling. I am
extremely grateful to be surrounded
by some of the best engineers,
managers, and technologists in the
geotechnical industry; and grateful
that we are able to serve so many
wonderful and long-standing
customers,” says Braithwaite.
The challenge is now
As to what has been the greatest
challenge of his career, Braithwaite
claims that probably the most severe
challenge of his career is “the state
of the construction industry in South
Africa right now”.
“As a nation we seem to have
forgotten JF Kennedy’s famous
response when asked to account
for the economic pre-eminence of
the United States: ‘Infrastructure
builds wealth. Not the other way
around.’ Good infrastructure, good
facilities, good utilities — these are
the enablers of economic growth. A
healthy local construction industry,
a massive employer, is crucial to the
future of this country.
“One feels that the construction
industry is at an inflexion point
— many companies are having to
reinvent their business models,
some will close, foreign companies
are entering the market, skills are
exiting the market, and confidence is
down. However, I remain confident
about the future — in our own
organisation we see wonderful
young talent emerging, which is
more representative of our nation
than ever. We are employing more
women than ever before. We have
unprecedented access to international
expertise and technologies, as well as
a local presence in 10 African cities,
from Cape Town to Nairobi, from
Accra to Mauritius and many places
in-between. As a company, we have
energy and drive and we will emerge
from the current slump leaner, fitter,
and better.”
Braithwaite
reckons
the
construction industry may look quite
differently in 10 years. “Digitisation,
analytics, and lean construction are
among the most promising areas
of innovation in the coming years.
Through our parent company, Keller
plc — the largest independent
geotechnical construction company
in the world — Franki has the
privilege of being exposed to the
latest technologies and has access to
the best equipment and expertise in
the world. We are bringing these to
the African market.”
Consequently, he urges aspiring
civil engineers not to feel despondent
at the current slump in the industry,
but to take the longer-term view:
“Quality always bubbles to the top.
Make sure that you are a quality
offering in your field and to the
business fraternity and you will
succeed. I say again: integrity,
professionalism, and positive intent
are everything.” nn
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