Lithon Projects

LITHON PROJECT CONSULTANTS

ENGINEERING A POSITIVE FUTURE

We speak to Gert Maritz, CEO of Lithon Project Consultants Namibia, about the firm’s presence in the country, its current projects and future plans in the engineering space Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Donovan Smith

D

iversity is at the core of Lithon Holdings.

Operating across Africa’s construction sector with locations in Ghana, Namibia and South Africa, Lithon is made up of three primary divisions: Lithon Project Consultants, Lithon Developers, and Lithon

2 | Africa Outlook issue 91

Foundation.

“Our founder always jokes that we, like many big tech companies, started off in a garage, which is not that far from the reality,” muses Gert Maritz, CEO at Lithon Project Consultants Namibia.

“Lithon had its humble beginnings

in Oshakati in Namibia in October 2002. We are having our 19th anniversary this year and see ourselves as a 19-year-old start-up.

We have gained a lot of experience over the past 18 years and have endured the most challenging periods, and we also believe that we

CONSTRUCTION

can add tremendous value to Namibia and beyond going forward.”

Lithon is a group of companies specialising in innovative engineering and sustainable development. Its extensive portfolio of services ranges from consultation, conceptualisation, research and development planning

to seamless project management and efficient execution.

The organisation’s areas of expertise include agricultural, civil, electrical, mechanical, structural, transport, mining and industrial engineering, as well as project management and development.

Lithon currently employs 30 people and offers project management and multidisciplinary engineering services across a client base that is both public and private.

“We have diversified the company through our Lithon Holdings structure and established Lithon Developers Africa Outlook issue 91 | 3

LITHON PROJECT CONSULTANTS where we undertake our own developments, but also assist other developers in realising their dreams through a focused and structured process,” Maritz says. “On top of this, we also established Lithon Impact Capital, where we raise funds to not only finance our own, but also other external projects.”

Lithon’s purpose driven nature of making a significant and positive impact on the lives of people distinguishes it from other companies in the sector. Lithon’s projects are led by the two former divisions,

Lithon Project Consultants and Lithon Developers, while its Lithon Foundation division deviates from physical projects and instead focuses on the social front of the company, and those around it. Formed in 2014, this refreshing aspect of Lithon’s operation within Africa works in line with the company’s long-term strategy to make a wide social and community impact across the continent over the course of the next 15 years, such as providing support and guidance to organisations that make a difference in peoples’ lives.

LITHON HOLDINGS - DIVISIONS LITHON PROJECT CONSULTANTS Lithon Project Consultants offers multi-disciplinary consulting engineering services that enable the company to bring clients’ innovative development ideas to life. The company’s highly qualified team leverages state-of-theart technology and a wealth of expertise to provide project management services, design and technical documentation, construction supervision and administration for a wide range of multi-disciplinary development projects.

LITHON DEVELOPERS Lithon Developers is a development agency. Its services include identifying development opportunities, planning and managing its own developments and joint ventures, and providing expert consultancy services for residential, commercial and industrial developments.

LITHON FOUNDATION Lithon Foundation is registered as a Section 21 Company and Welfare Organisation with the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

• Lithon Foundation’s strategy is to support, guide and strengthen individuals and organisations (receivers) that are already making a difference in the lives of people and communities, in order to help multiply their influence.

• Lithon further networks with and creates a platform for interaction between likeminded people and organisations (givers) through which it impacts and uplifts the community.

• Lithon connect these givers and receivers to each other, mobilising, synchronising and focusing resources to make a significant and positive impact in Namibia.

Nexus Group The Nexus Group is one of few truly Namibian construction companies, founded in Namibia and actively run by the directors and shareholders of the company who are all 100% Namibian citizens. Nexus Group is one of Namibia’s leading building and civil construction group with over 700 employees, with immense capability to deliver on a range of projects from large scale to a multitude of clients in diverse markets.

The mining sector is a well-established contributor to the Namibian economy and Nexus Group identified the growth potential in this area as well means to diversify the company and expand its operations with the extensive knowledge obtained from successful project management, operations management and plant management in the building and civils sectors. Since inception of Nexus-Ino Mining and Construction (Pty) Ltd in 2018, the company has already secured two mining contracts for the load, haul and dumping of ore material as well as various ancillary civils construction services.

Mr. Anton Nel, the financial manager of Nexus Group, added:” Our mining division of operations are inherently similar in scope and nature to what our experience and operations gained in the civil construction sector, given the earth moving equipment requirements, although often on a much larger and longer-term scale. Typically mining contracts have a medium-term lifespan, which allows for more predictable and sustainable cash flow planning, which is in line with our overall transformation strategy.”

To offer clients a more complete solution, Nexus Group has also formed a strategic alliance with Dust-a-Side, which is an internationally renowned company with more than 40 years’ experience in Total Dust Management Solutions, in addition to the operational side. Nexus Group has also appointed NRGen Advisors, a consulting engineering company, to assist with the rehabilitation activities needed on mines, with the focus on the reworking of tailings dumps and slimes dams, as well as Health, Safety and Environmental issues.

www.nexusgroup.com.na

4 | Africa Outlook issue 91

| Going the extra mile to exceed your expectations.

Nexus Group has now extended their divisions in to the Mining industry as well. Nexus-Ino Mining and Construction (Pty) Ltd currently has 2 (two) mining contracts for the load, haul and dumping of ore material as well as various ancillary civils construction services.

This division of operations are inherently similar in scope and nature to what our experience and operations in the civils construction sector, given the earth moving equipment requirements, although often on a much larger and longer-term scale.

Typically mining contracts have a medium-term lifespans, which allows for more predictable and sustainable cash flow planning, which is in line with our overall transformation strategy.

Competition in the mining sector is also a lot less when compared to the civils sector, due to the barrier to entry being a lot higher. For the past twenty years, we have almost exclusively been occupied in the construction of buildings and civil engineering works in the communal areas of the Northern and Central regions of Namibia.

Materials and services of Namibian origin are used, except in instances where the required product is not available in Namibia.

Whenever feasible, preference is given to businesses near the contract site.

The customs, religion and practices of the people and the community leaders are respected and conformed to. Activities of the community, e.g. sport and cultural activities, are promoted by means of participation, sponsorship and financial support.

Afritin Mine Stie at Uis, Namibia

a ibi

L

am

e od

Site at Dordab ne is, o t N s

hr@nexusgroup.com.na | www.nexusgroup.com.na

LITHON PROJECT CONSULTANTS FROM PAST TO PRESENT

Africa Outlook: What makes Lithon Holdings what it is?

Gert Maritz, CEO: “I believe our purpose, “To make a significant and positive impact in the lives of people” and the fact that one of our core values is that of being people-focused, says it all.

“Our people are our biggest asset, and we always strive to better everyone in all areas of life.

We believe in a holistic approach when it comes to people; with a balanced lifestyle each individual can realise their own purpose and potential in life, and give so much more, not only to the business, but to the whole community they are involved in.

“Equally important are our company partner relationships.

We believe in collaboration as key to Lithon, as a singular company can only make use of limited knowledge and expertise.

We’ve dealt with major projects and challenges in the past, and if it was not for our partner relationships, we would not have made as great an impact as we did.”

6 | Africa Outlook issue 91

Since his youth, Maritz has held a great interest in construction.

“Ever since I can remember, I built roads and bridges out of sand when I was growing up,” he reflects fondly.

“I also loved to sketch 3D objects and looking back at this I can assume I was always prone to becoming an engineer.

It was only when we looked at career options later in school that I was nudged into the direction of engineering; a path that I applied myself to and followed into higher education.”

Maritz studied at Stellenbosch University and obtained a degree in Civil Engineering in 2004. He then furthered his education in following years, obtaining a Master’s in Civil Engineering specialising in paving engineering.

“I had always been intrigued by road construction and I spent time on road sites as a full-time engineer,” Maritz explains. “I joined Lithon Project Consultants in 2005 and eventually became the Office Manager and Director of the company, managing the satellite office of Oshakati and Swakopmund in Namibia. I later became the COO of the company in 2019 and then took over the role of CEO of Lithon Namibia in 2021.”

Into the present, Maritz has remained in the exciting and everchanging space that is the African engineering sector.

“The construction and engineering environment will always be an exciting space to work in,” Maritz tells us. “We as engineers are problem solvers, so even through these tough economic times, such as that caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we always look at opportunities and how to solve problems.

“Despite Namibia’s economic slump, I am optimistic for the future and believe that through the intervention of the private sector, in partnership with the government, we will create a prosperous future for coming generations.”

“OUR HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TEAM LEVERAGES A DIVERSE SKILL SET TO EXPERTLY UNDERTAKE ALL ASPECTS OF ANY MULTI-DISCIPLINARY PROJECT” - LITHON HOLDINGS BUILDING NAMIBIA Moving forward to this optimistic future, Lithon is carrying out multiple projects across Namibia. The firm is the project manager for the upgrade to the Hosea Kutako International Airport Terminal. This project is of national importance, as it is the first port of entry for most tourist and visitors to Namibia. Through Lithon’s project management office, the company successfully managed and commissioned the project within the time and budget required despite undertaking the bulk of the work through the COVID-19 pandemic period.

CONSTRUCTION

The company was involved in the upgrade of the freeway between Windhoek and Rehoboth which now provides an important link to South Africa

“Another exciting project is the upgrade to freeway standards of the road between Windhoek and Rehoboth,” Maritz elaborates. “This project is also of national importance, as it provides an essential link to our neighbour South Africa, where the bulk of our imports via road go, as well as linking Rehoboth and all other residential developments south of Windhoek to the capital city. The total length of the road upgrade is 93 kilometres with a capital estimate in the order of N$7 billion (approximately USD $481 million. The project implementation commenced

at the start of 2020.”

Lithon were also involved in the design and construction of numerous fuel stations over the past three years as one of the preferred consultants for the National Petroleum Company of Namibia (NamCor). Lithon were recently re-appointed for another three years to rollout numerous fuel stations across the country. The firm provided all engineering services as well as project management services for these fuel stations.

And beyond current projects, Lithon is working on growing its presence as well. According to Maritz,

the founder and CEO of Lithon Holdings, Adriaan Grobler, is driving an expansion strategy in Africa to be undertaken over the next 15 years. This strategy will make use of the multitude of opportunities the continent has to offer in the sector.

“Africa is rich in diversity, and although it is not the easiest place to do business, we wholly believe in our purpose to make an impact, and through a focused approach anything is possible,” Maritz tells us. “We are excited to export our services across Africa in the short term, and wider beyond Africa in the long term.”

For the rest of the year and those beyond, Lithon’s primary focus will surround people and expansion, providing its quality project management and multidisciplinary engineering services through its structural, civil, transport, electrical and mechanical departments to clients in Africa, and eventually beyond.

LITHON PROJECT CONSULTANTS Tel: +264 61 250 278 info@lithon.com www.lithon.com

Africa Outlook issue 91 | 7

LITHON PROJECT CONSULTANTS 7 Love Street, Windhoek, Namibia Tel: +264 61 250 278 info@lithon.com www.lithon.com

PRODUCED BY AFRICA OUTLOOK MAGAZINE