Retha Fitchat
MEYERTON. – A building project by Esaba Consulting Engineers, called Heineken Project Big at the Heineken SA Brewery in Klipriver, was a finalist in the Industrial Warehousing category and won the “People’s Choice Award” at the South African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC)’s annual national Steel Awards 2018.
The 37th Steel Awards was held recently at Emperor’s Palace and is the most prestigious annual national event to celebrate excellent projects produced by the steel construction industry of South Africa.
Heineken SA Project Big’s project manager, Dennis Kriek, says the project entailed the expansion of Heineken Brewery’s warehousing and supporting infrastructure to accommodate market growth and centralise logistic facilities.
The project, situated next to the R59 freeway in Midvaal, had to be completed in record time (5 months) as the new warehousing had to be in operation before the client’s peak sales period over the December holidays.
“The 5 months construction period was initially considered unrealistic. The new warehousing was however completed on time and within budget, which is a testimony to the project’s success. This achievement is attributed to the proactive solution-driven approach adopted by Heineken SA (client), Esaba Consulting Engineers (consultant) and Aveng Grinaker-LTA (contractor) from the start of the project. Good governance, management, site and quality control, communication, support and cooperation between all team members ensured that all challenges were resolved timeously,” says Kriek.
The 18 800 m² warehousing facility comprises 692 tons of structural steel and 27 135 m² of Chromadek roof and side sheeting. A post tensioned floor system, comprising of 4 920 m³ of concrete, was also utilised to fast track construction and overcome challenges presented by the underlying dolomitic soil that is prone to sinkhole formation.
“Esaba Consulting Engineers’ head office is based in the Vaal Triangle (Meyerton) and the specific award we received was furthermore sponsored by ArcelorMittal, also based in the Vaal Triangle – truly and uniquely a Vaal Triangle achievement!” says Kriek proudly.
Esaba can be contacted on (016) 362 0170 for more information regarding the project.
• Read more about the project on https://www.saisc.co.za/portfolio_category/steel-awards-2018/page/6/