Concor Explained

Concor Holdings
Foundation:	1948 as Concor, 1902 as Murray and Roberts
Location:	South Africa, Botswana and Namibia
Area Served:	South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, United Arab Emirates
Key People:	Dr F. Piccini, M. Barnabo, B. Chiozzi, U. Mantelli, V. Cini, N. Harvey, Jerome Govender(current CEO)
Former Name:	2 distinct companies merged: Concor and Murray and Roberts Construction
Industry:	Civil Engineering, Infrastructure, Buildings, Mining, Roads, Property Development
Revenue:	ZAR 1.6. Billion Rand in 2005 (Last year of listing)
Num Employees:	3400+

Concor Holdings (Proprietary) Limited. is a South African construction and mining services company. It is active throughout Southern Africa, involved in civil engineering, buildings, roads and mining projects. Concor returned as an independent brand in late 2016.

Company history

Origin

Engineer Fernando Piccinini, the original founder of Construction Corporation, registered the company in Johannesburg on 28 April 1948. The other four founding members were M. Barnabo, B. Chiozzi, U. Mantelli and V. Cini. The original name Construction Corporation was finally shortened to CONCOR. Eng. Piccinini was originally a chairman of Ferrocemento, an Italian construction giant and the emerging Concor received its technical support initially from there.

Initial projects

The company's first major project was the construction of the Rand Sports Stadium in Johannesburg followed by contracts for the Pretoria and Johannesburg power stations. Another initial project was the Storms River bridge which was designed by Dr. Riccardo Morandi of Rome, this bridge was for many years the highest and longest single span bridge in South Africa.

Structure

By the early 2000s, Concor consisted of the following divisions:

• Concor Buildings,
• Concor Civils,
• Concor Mining,
• Concor Engineering, 2010: Fabricated the tallest tank in southern hemisphere commissioned for Sasol Secunda at its Benzene Reduction Project, standing at 47.54m.^[1]
• Concor Technicrete,
• Concor Facility Management,
• Concor Property Development and
• Concor Roads.

Concor was listed on the JSE Securities Exchange and, for the year ended June 2005, Concor's last year as a listed company, had an annual turnover of 1.6 billion Rand.

Relationship with Hochtief

By the early 2000s, the German international construction group Hochtief owned just under 50% of Concors shares providing the company with the benefits of technology transfer.^[2]

Purchased by Murray & Roberts

Concor Holdings was delisted on 30 June 2006 when 100% of its share capital was purchased by Murray & Roberts. It changed its name when it merged with Murray and Roberts Construction (Pty) Ltd.^[3] Whilst under the control of Murray & Roberts, Concor Facility Management and Concor Property Development was closed whilst Concor Roads was merged with Concor Civils. Concor Technicrete was sold as a going concern.^[4]

Purchased by consortium

The Concor and Murray and Roberts construction surface mining divisions were sold to a black owned consortium, consisting of the PIC and SPG^[5] in late 2016 and renamed Concor in May 2017.^{[6] [7]} Concor is now certified a Level 1 BEE Company. The current CEO is Jerome Govender.

Current operating divisions in the Group

• Concor Infrastructure (Roads, bridges, waste water systems, dams, harbours, pipelines, power stations)
• Concor Buildings (Industrial, commercial, residential and office buildings)^[8]
• Concor Western Cape (Industrial, commercial, residential and office buildings)^[9]
• Concor Botswana (Industrial, commercial and office buildings)
• Concor Opencast (Contract mining)^{[10] [11]}
• Concor Plant (Heavy plant maintenance and hire)
• Concor Developments
• Dynamic Concrete Namibia

Innovation and patents

Concor has several patents registered for its activities:^[12]

• ZA8405461B Shuttering improvements
• ZA8108855B Min support sub uniting
• ZA8007094B Dumper vehicles and bodies
• GB2013823A Apparatus for burying pipelines, cables etc
• ZA7403626B Structural element
• ZA7307135B Flexible lining
• ZA7004129B Improvements in or relating to paving blocks
• ZA7004128B Improvements in paving blocks

Timeline of notable construction projects

Some of Concors' projects include:

1950s

• 1952: High Level Reservoir, VanderbiljPark, South Africa.
• 1952: Vals River Bridge, Bothaville, South Africa.
• 1953: Sand River Bridge, Virginia, South Africa.
• 1953–1956: Storms River bridge, Eastern Cape, South Africa.^[13]

• 1954: Orlando Power Station, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 1954: Salt River Bridge, Cape Town, South Africa.
• 1954: Railway Bridge over Sand River, Virginia, South Africa.
• 1955: Taaiboshspruit Bridge, South Africa.
• 1955: Natalspruit Bridge, South Africa.
• 1955: Railway Bridge over Great Fish River, South Africa.
• 1956: Vetrivier Bridge, South Africa.
• 1957: Pipeline and Jetty, Lourenco Marques, Mozambique.
• 1958: Umsindusi River Bridge, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
• 1958: Railway Bridge, Congella, Durban, South Africa.
• 1958: Arch Bridge over Vaal River, Standerton, South Africa.

1960s

• 1960: Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town, South Africa.
• 1961–1963: Kyle/Lake Mutirikwe and Bangala Dams, Masvingo, Zimbabwe.
• 1963: SASOL 1 Chimney, Sasolburg, South Africa.
• 1963: Braamfontein Bridge, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 1966: Amatikulu River Bridge, Natal, South Africa.
• 1966: Broadway Flyover, Durban, South Africa.
• 1967: Sabie Bypass, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
• 1967: Reduction Plant, East Driefontein, South Africa.
• 1967: Bridle Drift Dam, East London, South Africa.
• 1968: Umfolozi River Rail Bridge, KZN, South Africa.
• 1968: Arnot Power Station, Cooling Towers, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
• 1966–1969: Fox Street Hanging Building, Standard Bank Center, Johannesburg, South Africa. LCB Concortium. o^[14]

1970s

• 1970s: Phalaborwa Copper Mine development, Limpopo, South Africa.
• 1970s–1990s: Multiple Concrete Headgears for various mining clients, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa.
• 1970–1973: Naute Dam, ǁKaras Region, Namibia.
• 1971 Ovamboland Canal, Namibia.
• 1971 Soweto Motorway, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 1972 Paved aprons, Durban International Airport, South Africa.
• 1972 Meyershill reservoir, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 1973 Crown Interchange, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 1976: Matla Power Station, Concrete slides of ACC and Boiler house lift shafts, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
• 1978: Gouritz River Bridge, 270 m, 4 span structure with diagonal reinforced struts, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

• 1978 Tailings Dams, Anglo American, Welkom, South Africa.
• 1979 Sulphur Recovery Plant, SASOL 2, Linde, South Africa.
• 1979–1981: Sasol 3 steam plant with 300-metre high chimney, South Africa. Chimney and first boiler were commissioned in 1981.

1980s

• 1980–1983: Bloukrans River arch-bridge, Eastern Cape, South Africa.^[15]
• 1980–1984: Steam Plants for Sasol 2 and 3, Secunda, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
• 1982: Majes Irrigation Project, Peru,^[16]
• 1983: Majuba Power Station, Boiler House and ACC concrete slides, main civils, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
• 1983: Bobbejaans River Bridge, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
• 1984: Hawane Dam, Swaziland.
• 1984: Thabina Dam, Limpopo, South Africa.
• 1984: Contract No. RT 5742E, for the construction of in-situ concrete walls and associated works in the Northern Transvaal.
• 1984–1988: 4 Kilometre long road Huguenot Tunnel, Western Cape, South Africa.
• 1984–1988: Hugos Valley Viaduct, Western Cape, South Africa.^[17]

• 1985–1988: Johannesburg Academic Hospital, South Africa.
• 1986: Usutu Pulp Mill, Swaziland.
• 1989-1990: American Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa.

1990s

• 1993: Pavilion Mall, Durban, South Africa.
• 1994: Sanlam Forum Building, C/o Church and Queen Streets, Pretoria, South Africa.
• 1998: Injaka Bridge, collapsed during construction, but eventually completed.^[18]
• 1988 - 1989: Reserve Bank, 37 story skyscraper, first flushed-glazed building in the southern hemisphere, Pretoria, South Africa.
• 1991 - 1992: Wanderers Cricket Stadium rebuild, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 1988 - 1993: Matimba Power Station, main civils, Lephalale, Limpopo, South Africa.

• 1993 - 1996: Katse Dam, Lesotho, JV with Hochtief^[19]

• 1998: Mozal Aluminium Smelter, Maputo, Mozambique.
• 1999: Debswana Orapa Mine Expansion, Francistown, Botswana.

2000s

• 2000: Impala Platinum Shaft 14 development, multi-blast ventilation facilities, overland rock conveyor, upgrading of hoisting facilities, surface ore transfer silos, Rustenburg, South Africa.
• 2000 - 2002: National Bank of Dubai, UAE.
• 2000: Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre, Makhado, South Africa.
• 2000: Cape Town and Johannesburg International Airports radar towers. (31 and 54 m each)
• 2001: OR Tambo International Airport, Charlie Taxiway, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 2001: Bakwena Platinum Highway, 380 kilometer upgrade of N1 and N4 highways.
• 2002-2001: Gold Reef City, main complex, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 2002: Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) Johannesburg International Domestic Terminal, (AC Consortium).^[20]
• 2002–2004: Katima Mulilo Bridge, between Namibia and Zambia^[21]

• 2002–2009: Port of Ngqura, Coega, new port construction consisting of: eastern breakwater, 2.7 km in length extending into Algoa Bay to a maximum water depth of 18 metres. A secondary western breakwater 1.125 km in length to a water depth of 15m. Five berths, 1,800m of quay wall – two for containers, two for dry bulk and breakbulk cargo and one for liquid bulk cargo. JV with Hochtief, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
• 2007—2012: Port of Ngqura, Container Terminal, civil works phase 2, Coega, extension of container terminal and quay walls to make provision for two more ship berths. JV with Hochtief, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.^[22]
• 2004: World Trade Centre, Manama, Bahrain.
• 2005: Lusip Dam, Swaziland.
• 2005: Debswana Diamond Sorting Centre, Gaborone, Botswana.
• 2005–2007: Durban Harbour Tunnel, 515m service tunnel underneath Durban Harbour entrance. JV with Hochtief, Durban, South Africa.^{[23] [24]}
• 2006-2008: Sandton Holiday Inn, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 2007-2009: PPC Hercules: Bulk cement and clinker silos.
• 2007: Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, Henley on Klip, Gauteng, South Africa.
• 2007–2014: Ingula Power Station, bulk earthworks and civils of Bedford and Braamhoek storage dams, South Africa.^[25]
• 2008: P.G. Bison Particleboard facility, Uigie, South Africa.
• 2008: Sishen Iron Ore Mine Expansion Project, Northern Cape, South Africa.
• 2008–2014: Medupi Power Station Chimneys contract. Two way joint venture with Kareena Africa, Limpopo, South Africa.

• 2008–2015: Kusile Power Station Chimneys contract. Two way joint venture with Kareena Africa, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
• 2008:Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency Head Office, Halls Gateway, Mbombela, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
• 2009:Gathemann/Mutual Tower, 20 story green building, Windhoek, Namibia.
• 2009: Vaal River Eastern Subsystem Augmentation Project (Vresap), 121 kilometre water catchment transfer pipeline, Free State to Gauteng, South Africa.^{[26] [27]}

• 2009: Bulk Diamond Clearing Centre, Gaborone, Botswana.
• 2009: Gateway Mall, Athlone, Cape Town, South Africa.
• 2008-2009: Department of Foreign Affairs, new ministry head office, Pretoria, South Africa.
• 2008: British Consulate, Harare, Zimbabwe.
• 2008–present: Medupi Power Station Main civils contract. Three way joint venture with Aveng and Murray and Roberts, Limpopo, South Africa.^[28]

2010s

• 2010: Assmang Ore Heavy Rail Loop, Northern Cape, South Africa.
• 2011: Kolomela Mine Expansion Project: 36 km Sishen-Saldanha rail connection.^[29]
• 2012 Ruacana Power Station, 4th turbine main civils, Namibia.^[30]
• 2012: City Deep Container Terminal, Johannesburg, South Africa.^[31]
• 2012: Lanseria Bulk-water Reservoir, Johannesburg, South Africa.^[32]

• 2012–2014: Portside Building. 5 Star Green Building, Cape Town, South Africa.
• 2012: Lanseria Reservoir, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 2013: Driefontein Waste Water Treatment Works, Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 2013 - 2014: The Grove Mall, Windhoek, Namibia.
• 2014: 102 Rivonia. 4 Star Green Building, Sandton, South Africa.
• 2014: Al Raha beach luxury apartments, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
• 2014: Lesedi Solar Power Station, Bulk earthworks and civils, South Africa.^[33]
• 2014: GCIS Tshedimosetso House, 4 Star Green Building, Pretoria, South Africa.^{[34] [35]}
• 2014: Venetia Diamond Mine, underground development, Limpopo, South Africa.^[36]
• 2014–2015: Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm, Eastern Cape, South Africa.^[37]

• 2014: N4 Middleburg Highway upgrade, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
• 2014: Baywest Mall, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.^[38]
• 2015–2017: Grayston Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge^[39]
• 2015–present: Mogalakwena Tailings Facility, Northern Limpopo, South Africa.^[40]
• 2015–2016: De Aar Wind Farm, Northern Cape, South Africa.^[41]
• 2016: Tsogo Sun Hotel, Western Cape, South Africa.^[9]
• 2016–2017: Menlyn Park Mall Rebuild. 4 Star Green Building, biggest mall by lettable floor space in South Africa,^{[42] [43]}
• 2016–2017: R72 Highway between Port Alfred and Fish River, Eastern Cape, South Africa.^[44]

• 2016–2017: BCX Centurion. Green Building, Pretoria, South Africa.^[45]
• 2016–2017: Century City Urban Square, 4 Star Green Building, Cape Town, South Africa.^{[46] [47]}
• 2016–2017: Embassy Towers, Sandton, South Africa.^[48]
• 2017-2018: Skukuza Safari Lodge, Kruger National Park, South Africa.^[49]
• 2017: Radisson Blu Hotel Cape Town, South Africa.^[9]
• 2017–2019: Khobab Wind Farm, Northern Cape, South Africa.^[50]
• 2017–present: Belfast Coal Mine, Middelbug, South Africa. Construction of 4 major dams, 26 concrete platforms and terraces, 37 internal roads, and upgrade of adjacent provincial roads^[51]
• 2017–present: Mtunzini National Road Upgrade, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.^{[52] [53] [54]}
• 2017–present: Load and Haul, Zwartfontein Pit, Mogalakwena Platinum Mine, Limpopo, South Africa.^[55]
• 2018–2020: 16 on Bree, Tallest residential building in Cape Town, South Africa.^{[56] [57]}
• 2018–present: Kangans Wind Farm, 140 MW situated 52 km east of Springbok, Northern Cape, South Africa.^{[58] [59] [60]}
• 2018–2019: Perdekraal Wind Farm, 110 MW 80 km northeast of Ceres, Western Cape, South Africa.^{[58] [61] [62]}
• 2018–2020: Golden Valley Wind Farm, 120 MW, near the town of Bedford, Eastern Cape, South Africa.^[63]
• 2019–present: Msikaba Bridge, 580m cable-stay main span bridge, near Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, South Africa.^[64]
• 2019–2021: Roggeveld Wind Farm, 147 MW near Laingsburg, Northern Cape, South Africa.^{[65] [66]}

2020s

• 2020: Excelsior Wind Farm, Western Cape, South Africa.
• 2020-2021: MeerKAT Extension Project, Carnavon, Northern Cape, South Africa.
• 2020-2022: Oxford Parks Multi 5 and 6 star Green Building precinct, Dunkeld, South Africa.
• 2022: Ikusasa, 6 Star Green Building, Rosebank, South Africa.^[67]
• 2023: Phezokumoya Wind Farm, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
• 2023: Sankraal Wind Farm, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Concor Engineering erects tallest tank in Southern hemisphere. Oil Review Africa.
2. Web site: Bidding war emerges over Concor. Lynn. Bolin. The M&G Online. 28 April 2005.
3. Web site: M&R to sell construction units to Southern Palace-led consortium for R314m. Terence. Creamer. Engineering News.
4. Web site: Technicrete – Manufacturing concrete products in the mining and construction industries in South Africa. www.technicrete.co.za.
5. Web site: Southern Palace Group. www.southernpalace.co.za.
6. Web site: Southern Palace Group-Led Consortium Acquires Murray & Roberts Infrastructure & Building Businesses. Creamer Media. Reporter. Engineering News.
7. News: Southern Palace outlines vision for radically transformed M&R infrastructure unit. Breytenbach. Mia. Engineering News. 31 August 2017.
8. News: Murray & Roberts Buildings Secures Skukuza Safari Lodge Project. Reporter. Creamer Media. Engineering News. 31 August 2017.
9. Web site: Strong legacy means exciting future for Concor Western Cape. 12 July 2017.
10. Web site: Concor Opencast Mining . 20 October 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171020135854/http://www.miningweekly.com/topic/concor-opencast-mining-company . 20 October 2017 .
11. Web site: Concor partners with Downer. 13 February 2015. www.miningmagazine.com.
12. Web site: CONCOR CONSTRUCTION PTY innovation strategy - GoodIP . 16 July 1984 .
13. Web site: Bridge History. https://archive.today/20140806104501/http://stormsriverbridge.co.za/index.php/bridge-history/2-uncategorised. 6 August 2014. 25 March 2019.
14. Web site: The Famous Hanging Building at 78 Fox Street The Heritage Portal. www.theheritageportal.co.za. 31 August 2017.
15. Web site: Paul Sauer Bridge - Storms River details. www.artefacts.co.za.
16. Web site: Majes Siguas Project :: Proinversión . www.proyectosapp.pe. 31 August 2017.
17. Mills. H.B.. 1 April 1988. The design of the Hugo's River Viaduct. Civil Engineering = Siviele Ingenieurswese. 1988. v30i4. 1021-2000.
18. Web site: Injaka Bridge Collapse.
19. Web site: Katse Dam. dwaf.gov.za. 31 August 2017.
20. Web site: BEE firms in Jhb airport upgrade.
21. Web site: Zambezi River Bridge Near Katima Mulilo . 11 July 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180309182802/http://www.ecnamibia.org/docus/Review_Nov.pdf . 9 March 2018 .
22. Web site: Press release . www.civildesigner.com . 2019-08-23.
23. Web site: Journal . www.saimm.co.za . 2019-08-23.
24. News: Challenging Durban harbour tunnel project. Tyrer. Laura. Engineering News. 31 August 2017.
25. Web site: The Ingula legacy - International Water Power. www.waterpowermagazine.com.
26. Web site: R2,7-billion Vresap starts delivering to Mpumalanga. Brindaveni. Naidoo. Engineering News.
27. Web site: VRESAP. tcta.
28. Web site: Multi-billion power station to be built | IOL News. www.iol.co.za.
29. Web site: Kolomela Iron Ore Mine, Northern Cape, South Africa.
30. Web site: Ruacana fourth turbine commissioned - The Namibian.
31. Web site: Engineering News - Developer exceeds project's recycled material targets. www.engineeringnews.co.za.
32. Web site: Lanseria reservoir and water tower underway | Infrastructure news.
33. Web site: Lesedi Solar PV Project, Kimberly.
34. Web site: Architecture | ADO-Architects | South Africa. ado-architects.
35. Web site: Tshedimosetso in South Africa is the first ever green building to incorporate solar facades in Africa. Robert. Barnes. 7 October 2014.
36. Web site: De Beers selects Murray & Roberts for Venetia underground mine. 22 July 2014.
37. Web site: Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm | GSAMS. Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm | GSAMS.
38. Web site: BAYWEST PREPARES FOR A BUMPER 2014 | Metro News | NMB Business Chamber | News | Bayfm 107.9 Community Radio, Port Elizabeth. site.bayfm.co.za.
39. Web site: Grayston Drive Bridge Creates Safe and Convenient Passage between Sandton and Alexandra . 3 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180617115506/http://www.tobuild.co.za/press/1243/press-releases/grayston-drive-bridge-creates-safe-and-convenient-passage-between-sandton-and-alexandra . 17 June 2018 .
40. Web site: Concor Opencast Mining Secures New Contracts. Creamer Media. Reporter. Mining Weekly.
41. Web site: De Aar wind-power projects start feeding electricity to Northern Cape. TimesLIVE.
42. News: Co-owners pump R2bn into Menlyn Park Shopping Centre redevelopment. Africa Property News.com. 31 August 2017.
43. Web site: Menlyn Park Shopping Centre gets Green Star rating. www.bizcommunity.com.
44. Web site: Concor Gives Port Alfred To Fish River Road Vital Upgrade. Creamer Media. Reporter. Engineering News.
45. Web site: The impressive new home of Business Connexion. Rudolph. Muller.
46. Web site: Green Building Council South Africa. GBCSA.
47. Web site: R4,3 Billion Development Boom at Century City Century City Conference Centre. ccconferencecentre.co.za. 31 August 2017.
48. Web site: Embassy | Partners.
49. Web site: Concor Buildings gives new shine to Skukuza with SANParks safari lodge. Crown. Publications. www.crown.co.za.
50. Web site: Khobab Wind Farm | Sustainable Wind Energy.
51. Web site: Concor Infrastructure completing major works for Exxaro's new Belfast digital coal mine. 22 February 2019.
52. News: R946-million N2 upgrade one of SANRAL's biggest Zululand Observer. 19 September 2016. Zululand Observer. 31 August 2017.
53. Web site: Concor Infrastructure Showcases Engineering Excellence On Complex Road Contract. Creamer Media. Reporter. Engineering News.
54. Web site: Whittlesea road gets upgrade by Concor infrastructure. Crown. Publications. www.crown.co.za.
55. Web site: Mining Weekly - Concor Opencast Mining Secures New Contracts. www.miningweekly.com.
56. Web site: FWJK awards R535m construction contract to Concor Western Cape. www.bizcommunity.com.
57. Web site: 16 on Bree. www.16onbree.co.za.
58. Web site: Concor Infrastructure To Construct New Wind Farms. Creamer Media. Reporter. Engineering News.
59. Web site: ALB - African Law and Business. Ben. Rigby. ALB Legal and Business Issues from Africa.
60. Web site: Construction starts on new R6.6 billion wind farms | Infrastructure news. Liesl. Frankson.
61. Web site: S.Africa: IPP reaches financial close for two wind farms. Ashley. Theron. 8 June 2018. ESI-Africa.com.
62. Wind turbine foundations mark another milestone . 29 January 2019. ESI Africa.
63. Web site: South Africa's Golden Valley and Excelsior wind farms reach financial close. www.energy.org.za.
64. Web site: Africa's second longest main span bridge is to be built in the Eastern Cape – this is what it will look like. BusinessInsider.
65. Web site: Roggeveld Wind farm . Dbsa.org . 2019-08-22.
66. Web site: South Africa: Roggeveld Wind Farm reaches financial close. Babalwa. Bungane. 23 April 2018. ESI-Africa.com.
67. Web site: Concor builds Ikusasa office block in Rosebank to 6-star green rating standards .