M&D sets benchmark in pipeline construction

M&D SETS BENCHMARK

IN PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION

The Murray & Dickson Construction (M&D) Pipeline Division has worked with mining houses, petrochemical and gas suppliers, as well as the country’s water boards and municipalities. WASA talks to Martin van Aswegen, HEAD: Pipeline Division, M&D.

What gives M&D the competitive edge over other pipeline contractors?

MvA We have the ability to complete projects valued up to R1 billion and are one of a few pipelaying contractors in the country that has the expertise, skills and equipment required to construct, among others, continuously welded steel pipelines ranging between 150 mm and 3 m in diameter.

We demonstrate our values – ‘be safe’, ‘do what you say’, ‘find the best way’, and ‘do it right’ – in all of our projects, where we meet and even exceed our clients’ expectations.

Through another M&D core value, namely Khula Nathi – isiZulu for ‘grow with us’ – we have developed a strong, loyal and dedicated team with extensive skills and experience. It also includes highly competent and experienced welders who are all certified by the American Petroleum Institute.

Our pipe fittings factory enables us to accelerate the manufacture of steel pipeline connections and fittings for our contracts. Notably, it was the first such facility to be certified to ISO 3834 quality standards by the South African Institute of Welding.

Furthermore, my team has quick access to 180 different critical plant and equipment items required for highperformance contracts via M&D’s Plant Division, including pipelayers, excavators and welding machines.

M&D is increasingly harnessing digital technologies. We use 3D, 4D and 5D building information modelling (BIM) techniques during the tendering phase and during construction to maintain high levels of productivity, efficiency, accuracy and safety.

Furthermore, our Murray & Dickson Operating System (MDOS) helps us to establish direction, execute plans and deliver results. MDOS is based on an entrepreneurial operating system that promotes accountability throughout the group to ensure that all employees are aligned to our core values and pull in the same direction. It also facilitates a system whereby issues that arise are identified and dealt with timeously.

M&D’s Integrated Management System on SharePoint enables us to administer all our ISO accredited documentation. This includes ISO 45001:2018 Health and Safety; ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management; and ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems, as well as ISO 3834: Part 2 Welding of Pipes.

Importantly, we are a Level 1 BBBEE Contributor, with 100% black ownership and 51% black disabled woman ownership, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to transformation.

We have CIDB ratings of 9GB PE, 9CE PE and 9ME PE.

What challenges are experienced by pipeline contractors?

All our projects have had their own unique challenges that require innovative solutions. Considering our extensive skills, experience and capacity, we are usually entrusted with technically complex projects.

Challenges can also be socioeconomic in nature. Via our Khula Nathi value, M&D has always been able to work well with communities located within our project footprints. This ability is becoming increasingly important and one of the reasons we remain a preferred pipeline contractor for municipalities and waterboards.

Martin van Aswegen, HEAD: Pipeline Division, M&D

What is M&D’s focus in the next few years?

Our core focus over the next few years encompasses water, sewerage and stormwater pipelines, including their maintenance. Municipalities are also showing interest in the application of hydropower in their existing urban water systems to harness excess energy that otherwise would be wasted. This clean energy could be used to power parts of or their entire operations to reduce reliance on unstable grid electricity supply.