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Molline Gagare Business Reporter
A LOCAL building materials stockist Astra Building Centre has won an international construction award for its devotion and innovative idea of the Hydraform building concept. The building concept allows structures to be erected using limited mortar and interlocking blocks manufactured from the system. The technology, which is presently being used in over 60 countries including South Africa, was invented in 1988. Among other advantages, the building concept reduces the time taken to build structures. In promoting the system in Zimbabwe, Astra Building Centre in 2011 built a demo-house in Emganwini, Bulawayo.
The International Construction Awards are presented by the Global Trade Leaders’ Club (GTLC) which offers several international trophies to enterprises from all over the world as an encouragement and recognition of their work, devotion, innovation, and quality to develop the industry and trade in their own countries.
Astra managing director Jabulani Nkomo said he was ecstatic that his company had been recognised for its efforts in the construction industry.
Despite the prevailing economic challenges, he said his company continued to broaden its ideas and remain competitive on the market.
“We’ve built many structures in the country. There are houses that we’ve built in Emganwini, Lupane State University and even the perimeter wall at Mpilo hospital. As a company, we try and do things that are far from ordinary. We continue to push new ideas and projects. I feel honoured to have won this award. It means that somebody somewhere is watching and appreciating the work we do,” he said.
GTLC is an association of leading businesses, which gathers more than 7,500 members from 95 different countries, all working in the sectors of production and services.
Online Reporter