RMD KWIKFORM

RMD KWIKFORM

Making the impossible possible and the breath-taking achievable

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K W I K F O R M

Bringing Structures

TO LIFE RMD Kwikform is renowned in the industry as the go-to company to make things happen, providing a best-in class service to its customers Writer: Phoebe Calver Project Manager: Eddie Clinton

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s one of the leading formwork and scaffolding suppliers in the world, RMD Kwikform offers formwork and shoring solutions to construction companies across a wide range of markets.

With services including 3D computer aided design drawings, as well as virtual reality simulations, Johan Smit, Managing Director, goes on to explain: “Our wide range of products

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appeal to both the building and civil infrastructure markets, while also being available on a hire and sale basis.

“RMD was founded in Aldridge, England in 1948 as Rapid Metal Developments Ltd, a subsidiary group of Robert M Douglas Ltd. The latter was acquired in 1991 by Interserve Plc when it was still based in the UK, before it was developed eight years later into the RMD Kwikform we see today.”

The Company has gained extensive recognition within its markets of operation over the years, being awarded the prestigious Queen’s Awards for Enterprise International Trade in 2010, while working alongside renowned companies such as Alkus AG that have supported the Company’s growth over the years.

Dirk Odendaal, Director of RMD Kwikform adds: “We received this award after increasing our overseas business by 185 percent, in 30 countries during more than six years. The regions include Central America, Europe, the Middle East, North America, Australasia, South America and Africa.”

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In 2007 the South African branch of RMD Kwikform was established, and since that point in time it has expanded to include branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein and Nelspruit.

“In South Africa the Company is headquarted in Centurion Pretoria and is managed by an experienced Board of Directors.”

The Company has developed a widely respected national footprint, with branches located all over South Africa.

Core team The success of RMD Kwikform has “Our core range of services are been built upon its longstanding firmly established within the market, history and knowledge within its gaining increasing respect from international team. customers,” adds Smit. “We supply a “At RMD we are one of five divisions wide range of formwork and shoring of the Interserve Plc, recognised as systems on a hire or sale basis, while a support services and construction also offering on-site inspections of company that is also listed on the any of our temporary works systems London Stock exchange,” affirms erected on site.

Odendaal. “At present our worldwide “We also provide formwork workforce stands at more than 80,000 preassembly services, supplied from people. our Centurion factory and assembly

ALKUS® alkus® - a worthwhile investment for all formwork systems From the very start of the Company, alkus® aim was to develop a product which could match the performance of traditional timber panels, but without the well-known problems. The alkus® composite board maintains its stability and rigidity throughout its service life, delivers consistent surface quality, allows repair with identical material and ensures high weather and UV resistance.

Since the year 2000, alkus® solid plastic panels have proved invaluable in every situation where formwork panels are required – from slab and wall formwork to special formwork systems, from simple house construction to tunnel and underground engineering.

Delivering best quality concrete finish pour over pour over pour – alkus® has documented 1,000 pours with a single panel and even offers a seven-year warranty that is unique to the industry.

Our worldwide customer base covers companies such as Meva, Peri, Aluma, Noe, Formscaff, RMD Kwikform just to name a few. alkus® takes much pride in the partnership with RMD Kwikform South Africa as being one of our premium partners since 2012. We believe that alkus® products have contributed in big ways to the high quality performed

by RMD Kwikform formwork panels on various projects throughout South Africa.

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PA N E L SYS T E M

THE PANEL FOR ALL FORMWORK SYSTEMS

No moisture absorption No shrinking, swelling or rotting No delamination No irregularities High resistance to UV rays Repair with identical material www.alkus.li • info@alkus.li

facility, with temporary works engineering CAD-designs by qualified engineers.”

Some of the other – among a great array – services available within the engineering consultancy remit include site inspections, reports, method statements and material handling guidance notes.

“It has also been important to us to offer custom designs to timber beams and column sides,” continues Smit. “We have also introduced 3D cad design and virtual reality, allowing our management teams to identify complex scenarios in the structure while on-site.

“The implementation of this sort of technology enables our site engineers to plan with a high level of accuracy, while taking on a proactive approach.”

Key improvement strategies

The Company has single-handedly managed to differentiate itself in the market through producing a boutique

shop-type experience for its clients; with the ongoing deterioration of skills in the South African market, RMD has identified the perfect gap in the market to approach.

“We have realised that the importance of offering design

solutions that are presented in a simplified and easy to erect, while remaining compliant with the best-in-class of safety standards,” explains Odendaal. “Between our comprehensive consulting services, 3D modeling and VR presentations, we are

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able to provide the ultimate selection in solutions for our clients who are challenged with low skill levels among construction workers in South Africa.”

With thanks to the versatility of its products, the Company is able to provide applications across market segments and structures, be that through building construction or largescale civil infrastructure projects.

“We run a customer-driven business and by understanding why our customers prefer to buy a product from us, we are able to tailor solutions to the specific needs of a client, offering compelling value and letting our success do the talking,” adds Smit.

“We have experienced many changes in the market and know that having a sustainable business plan is pivotal to success.”

Philosophies

In order to achieve the level of success that the Company has done, it has needed to find and empower the right team of people to help RMD establish a profitable, healthy business unit, while also developing their own personal skills.

“We have found that one of the most successful tools when it comes to our employees is allowing them to play to their strengths, treating employees, clients and creditors with the utmost respects,” explains Smit. “Our leadership has always obtained a clear vision and strategy for the future.

“We have encouraged a culture within the Company that allows our employees to make mistakes, and to an extent we even try to budget for it.

“We are far more accepting of the failures of our employees that are brave enough to try, those that have taken initiative to create even if it hasn’t worked out for the best.”

With such an innovative team behind it, RMD Kwikform is confident in the fact that it has what it takes to grow and develop its market share.

“I would like to say thank you to our

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clients for trusting in our ability as a team,” declares Smit. “Your challenge becomes our opportunity to innovate and each problem, an opportunity to rise above.

“Our management team believes in ensuring that proper strategic and financial planning is carried out, following on with an entrepreneurial approach as we want every employee to understand the importance of their work and to feel empowered while doing it.”

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Our management team believes in ensuring that proper strategic and financial planning is carried out...

It is undeniable that the value of close attention toward clients, people within the Company and creditors.

“Our engineering capabilities have meant that we have a wealth of engineering and design experience that enables us to supply technical solutions to complex applications shared around the world,” concludes Smit. “At RMD we are committed to investing for as long as possible, in the local communities by identifying the best local skills and talent available.”

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RMD Kwikform South Africa 52 Jakaranda Street Plot 22 Hennospark Centurion 0046 South Africa Tel: +27 12 004 1000 info.sa@rmdkwikform.com www.rmdkwikform.com/za

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