The South African Construction Industry

With total expenditure on construction works and related activities amounting to more than R430.2bn in 2018, the South African construction sector is of great strategic importance to the country. However, the protracted economic downturn and reduced levels of public infrastructure investment have exacted a heavy toll on contractors, including most of the industry’s major players, compelling some to focus on different markets and others to file for business rescue. The decline of the industry has been exacerbated by the marked increase in land invasions, acts of violence and extortionist activity on construction sites.

Sector Decline

Statistics South Africa reports that the construction sector shed around 142,000 jobs in the first quarter of 2019. While the sector still employs over 8% of the country’s labour force and construction output accounts for around 4% of gross domestic product, the sector is under significant pressure as spending on infrastructure declined, the local economy failed to grow and concerns mounted about the expropriation of land without compensation. The industry is experiencing shrinking profit margins, cost overruns, labour disruptions and poor productivity, a shortage of skilled workers and the rising cost of inputs. Turnover in the construction sector declined 8.6% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2018, while real growth in construction activity slowed to 1.1% year-on-year, down from 2.3% in the previous quarter.

Report Coverage

This report covers the South African Construction Industry including structural insulated panel systems, scaffolding and building management systems. This report includes comprehensive information on the size and state of the industry, the factors influencing it and corporate actions and business, regulatory, continental and international updates and information. There are 69 company profiles including of Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon, the largest South African construction and engineering company listed on the JSE and other listed companies such as Murray & Roberts, Raubex, Calgro M3, Stefanutti Stocks and Aveng. It includes profiles on companies in business rescue such as Group Five, Basil Read and Esor and public entities such as the South African National Roads Agency.