SANRAL has taken one more step to transform the construction industry. In April it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Pilot Crushtec to give small and medium enterprises access to expertise and machinery required to execute major SANRAL projects.

The CEO of the roads agency, Mr Skhumbuzo Macozoma, said: “It is our intention, through MoUs like these, to open up the industry to new participants and remove many of the barriers that prevent companies owned by black people, women and youth entrepreneurs to compete effectively against entrenched players in the construction sector”.

Pilot Crushtec International was founded in 1990 and has established itself as Southern Africa’s leading supplier of mobile and semi-mobile crushing, screening, recycling, sand wasting, stockpiling, compacting and material handling solutions.

The company is well-placed to equip up-and-coming contractors and quarry owners with the opportunity to be educated by its team of experts on how to get the most out of their operations, said sales and marketing director Francois Marais. It looks forward to promoting its locally produced products, which are world leaders and are exported to many countries.

Mr Macozoma said that the partnership is proof that SANRAL’s efforts to transform the construction sector and promote fair competition are delivering results. “Lack of access to sophisticated machinery and equipment is a major barrier to small contractors and prevents them from participation in large tenders.

“By working with established companies, we can remove these barriers.”