SANRAL is continuing to give small enterprises better access to the road construction machinery they need to execute major SANRAL projects.

The roads agency has recently signed an agreement in this regard with the Wirtgen Group.

The aim of the agreement is to give full access to the Wirtgen Group’s full suite of leading equipment brands to small and medium contractors in the construction industry, in addition to providing financing, training and logistics support.

“This is an important step in the broader national aim to transform the construction and engineering sectors and enable emerging black contractors, including enterprises owned by women and the youth, to participate more fully in major projects,” says Louw Kannemeyer, Engineering Executive at SANRAL.

“Infrastructure development will be a major contributor in the efforts to attract investment to the country and was singled out at the recent Job Summit for its ability to create employment and stimulate economic activity.

“Equipment is one of the major success factors for contractors in the execution of their projects. If contractors are not well equipped, the country also faces the danger of sub-standard road infrastructure.

The agreement will afford upcoming contractors greater access to all Wirtgen Group equipment brands, namely Wirtgen, Vögele, Hamm, Kleemann, Benninghoven and Ciber,” says Waylon Kukard, National Sales Manager at Wirtgen South Africa.

The agreement with Wirtgen is part of a process introduced by SANRAL to open up the engineering and construction industries through its tender and enterprise development initiatives. This is the third such agreement that SANRAL has signed with companies that provide construction equipment.

Through its leading brands, Wirtgen offers a wide range of equipment, ranging from rollers, bitumen spreaders, sweepers, milling machines, recyclers, slipform pavers, modular asphalt pavers, to mobile asphalt plants, crushers and screens.

Emerging contractors will be able to purchase, or lease, the sophisticated machinery required to meet the high standards that are in place within the South African road construction environment.

This move will open new doors for Wirtgen to collaborate with small contractors by offering them access to finance, technical assistance, mentoring and logistical support.

SANRAL and Wirtgen will also collaborate on issues such as training, supply chains and access to information on tendering processes.