2019 looks to be a landmark year for South Africa’s leading brick manufacturer, Corobrik. Not only is the company in the throes of building the largest and most environmentally friendly face brick factory in Africa, but has also clinched a ninth PMR.africa Diamond Arrow Award.
Consultancy and research company, PMR.africa’s annual awards go to the top performers in key sectors. A survey of 130 randomly selected building materials retailers and construction company representatives conducted between November 2018 and January 2019, identified Corobrik as South Africa’s top brick company based on its ability to meet orders, competitive pricing, quality and range of products, flexibility, delivering on promises and response to queries, Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), implementation of environmental solutions and sustainable development practices.
“This award and the response of those surveyed shows that we continue to build a strong foundation for our future investments in South Africa. Our approach to doing
business is a holistic one and is based on the three pillars of sustainability – economic, environmental and social. We are extremely honoured not only receive this award this year but to have received it nine times!” said Musa Shangase, Corobrik’s Commercial Director.
The R800-million mega factory that is under construction alongside Corobrik’s existing Driefontein factory in Gauteng is due for commissioning next year. It is the largest project of its kind currently underway in the world.
Corobrik currently operates 13 clay brick factories and 14 kilns countrywide which produce a mix of plaster and face bricks for the residential and commercial markets. Two concrete operations in Durban supply concrete paving and retaining walls.
The new Driefontein facility will have the capacity to produce 100-million bricks per year, double that of the existing facility whilst requiring just a third of the energy currently used. In addition, the new operation will produce zero waste.
Shangase said that in addition to investing in new plant and technology, Corobrik was also constantly analysing market trends and refining its product offerings. This led to the launch of a range of new paver sizes, patterns and designs as well as exciting new white and black face bricks.
He thanked Corobrik’s entire team for delivering the quality product and service that enabled it to win awards such as this.
“This award reflects a culture of employee value creation which has entrenched an ethos of constant high performance across our factories and centres nationally. “By acknowledging the potential of every Corobrik employee and encouraging self-improvement through ongoing training and evaluation, Corobrik is able to meet the demands of an ever-changing market with customer satisfaction a priority.”
He added that the culture of excellence also extended to meeting international manufacturing and environmental standards. Over the past decade, investments have included advanced extrusion technology at the Phesantekraal factory to decrease energy consumption, new robotics at its Rietvlei and Lawley factories and the conversion to a natural gas kiln at its Lawley factory to significantly reduce emissions.
