BETTER WAYS TO BUILD
BETTER
WAYS TO
BUILD Raubex Building delivers quality construction solutions that stand the test of time, driven by innovation and excellence in every project. Barend Badenhorst, Managing Director, updates us on the latest developments, including its design-and-construct approach, modular methodology, and National Assembly reconstruction project Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Andrew Marjoram
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Barend Badenhorst, Managing Director
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ver the last decade, Raubex Building has meticulously pieced together a reputation as one of the leading construction companies in South Africa (SA). The scope of its commercial work includes both public and private projects as well as partnership initiatives between government and the private sector. Raubex Building is an integral part of the Raubex Group, one of SA’s leading infrastructure development and construction materials supply groups.
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The Raubex Group was established in 1974 and boasts 50 years of experience across the construction industry. It now operates successfully in countries across Southern Africa and consists of five divisions – Materials Handling and Mining, Construction and Materials, Roads and Earthworks, Australia, and Infrastructure, which Raubex Building forms part of. “Today, in the construction industry, there are a lot of opportunities, but
SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PREFERENTIAL PROCUREMENT – Raubex Building strives to empower those who have been previously disadvantaged. The company is committed to procuring products and services centred on empowering both the local community as well as those committed to Black economic empowerment. ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT – It is common practice for Raubex Building to implement enterprise development when these needs are recognised during projects. However, this should only be implemented if it is going to benefit the sustainability of small to medium-sized enterprises. SKILLS DEVELOPMENT – Raubex Building aspires to edify and develop its employees by providing training opportunities that will equip them with the skills necessary to optimally perform the tasks assigned to them. EMPLOYMENT EQUITY – The company is committed to a brighter future for SA, and its corporate social responsibility focuses on social investment, support for local projects, and community outreach programmes.
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it often feels as though nobody is making money. Developers, contractors, and professional teams are all under pressure. “Therefore, I think a reset is needed in the SA market in terms of how projects are procured and executed,” introduces Barend Badenhorst, Managing Director of Raubex Building, who we last spoke to in December 2024. Keen to address this, the company is now spearheading a reset and leading the way for a new continuum of innovative construction methods for the nation. Meanwhile, the company has diversified further with Raubex Building Cape, a subdivision that carries the Raubex Group’s lineage into the Western Cape with a dedicated local company, under the expert leadership of Badenhorst. The coastal building specialist is now developing shopping centres, hospitals, hotels, student accommodation, and some of the country’s largest housing programmes. Raubex Building Cape was formed in July 2020 to give the Cape regions
a building contractor that is run from the Western Cape – with the backing of one of SA’s largest listed construction groups.
ADJUSTING THE MODEL Drawing on the vast amount of experience he has accrued throughout a plethora of roles within the construction industry across both SA and the US – including managing high-end residential projects and learning about procurement – Badenhorst was presented with the exciting opportunity to start Raubex Building 14 years ago. “We began with existing clients we knew in the industry and delivered several housing projects, and from there the business started growing steadily. Then, because we had the financial backing of the Raubex Group and wanted to expand, we began looking for additional resources,” Badenhorst recalls. Influenced by his time working in the US, and studying the procurement methods he witnessed there, Badenhorst identified that many tenders were being delivered on a design-and-construct basis.
“Our modular drive has brought a great deal of new energy into the business and we’re now seeing opportunities to approach clients directly, knowing we can deliver a better product if they come to us on a design-and-construct basis” – B A R E N D B A D E N H O R S T, M A N A G I N G D I R E C T O R , R A U B E X B U I L D I N G
“We are now working to promote that approach and show clients, developers, and listed funds that the traditional SA model can sometimes lose value,” he expands. Under the current approach, clients assemble professional teams who go through many design and cost permutations without necessarily producing the most value-optimised product. “We are therefore trying to demonstrate that involving the contractor at an early stage can create better value in the finished product and setting up an in-house design team, including a full architectural team, to deliver bespoke designand-construct projects can shorten
delivery timelines, simplify the process, and provide better value for clients, developers, and end users,” elaborates Badenhorst.
MODULAR CONSTRUCTION At present, Raubex Building is focusing strongly on construction technology, particularly modular construction – a method of breaking a complex system down into smaller, self-contained, and independent parts known as modules that connect using standardised interfaces. This transformative methodology is where buildings are created off-site in a factory using repeatable volumetric sections or panels then transported and assembled on location.
“We see a major opportunity in SA, especially in housing, where modular elements can reduce time on-site and improve efficiency and quality. We are also very interested in applying this approach to student housing,” Badenhorst excites. “Our modular drive has brought a great deal of new energy into the business and we’re now seeing opportunities to approach clients directly, knowing we can deliver a better product if they come to us on a design-and-construct basis.” Because Raubex Building has developed intellectual property in modular delivery, the company now believes it can offer clients a better deal and a stronger overall product, which has created a lot of momentum and energy across the whole business. There are numerous key benefits associated with this method of construction, such as speed of completion – projects typically finish 20 to 50 percent faster than traditional methods. Africa Outlook Issue 122 | 5
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Additionally, modular construction avoids delays relating to adverse weather conditions such as extreme rain, snow, or temperature delays. Modular construction also means less waste, as a controlled environment reduces material waste by up to 50 percent compared to traditional building sites, and a higher level of quality control as repeatable processes in a factory lead to stricter quality and safety standards across the board.
“Much of our success is attributable to the fact we value relationships and place great importance on how we engage with clients and professionals – ultimately, we are a solutions-driven business” – B A R E N D B A D E N H O R S T, M A N A G I N G D I R E C TO R , R AU B E X B U I L D I N G
GUIDED LEADERSHIP For Raubex Building, mentorship is a major focus, particularly when it comes to growing people internally rather than simply looking externally for new talent. In this way, the company tries to map out clear career paths for its staff. “We prefer to look within the business, identify people with potential, mentor them, work through 8 | Africa Outlook Issue 122
any areas where they need support, and empower them to overcome those challenges,” Badenhorst emphasises. “Beyond that, we have developed a strong training programme in partnership with a training facility we have worked with for some time, supported by our internal HR managers.”
Badenhorst believes that respect is the most crucial characteristic to mentorship within the company. “I always handle people with respect, not for their position, but for who they are as a human being,” he affirms. Alongside its staff, another key reason for Raubex Building’s growth since it was established in 2012 are partnerships and relationships. “Much of our success is attributable to the fact we value relationships and place great importance on how we engage with clients and professionals – ultimately, we are a solutions-driven business,” acknowledges Badenhorst.
THIRST FOR INNOVATION Agile and responsive to new emerging industry trends within the realm of construction, Raubex Building is always ready to embrace fresh innovation.
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bringing our architectural team fully on board, and developing a range of products for the housing market,” he sets out. The aim is to have these products designed and ready for market so the company can offer clients designand-construct and potentially turnkey solutions. “Meanwhile, we will consolidate our current projects and continue to progress the National Assembly towards completion,” Badenhorst closes. For example, it recently sent a team to China, including one of its newly appointed architects and three senior colleagues, on a fact-finding trip to explore the best and latest building materials currently emerging from the Chinese market. On top of this relentless drive for innovation, the next year will be an extremely busy period for the
business. “Raubex Building was awarded the National Assembly reconstruction project, which is progressing well – we look forward to delivering a cleverly designed building that reflects our nation’s heritage,” Badenhorst enthuses. “Over the next 12 months, we will focus specifically on product design,
Tel: 011 325 0730 building@raubex.com
www.raubexbuilding.com Africa Outlook Issue 122 | 9
Tel: 011 325 0730 building@raubex.com www.raubexbuilding.com
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