Construction industry set for major boom

materials.
The company is led by its effervescent managing director Mr Adamson Chataika whose extensive experience in the building materials industry (42 years with the PG Group to be specific) could come in handy as the company gears for anticipated growth in Zimbabwe’s construction industry.
The PG Building Suppliers managing director has seen all the major transitions and developments in the country’s construction industry so his views can be taken as candid.
Mr Chataika said that from the earlier part of his career to date there has been a notable decline in the construction of business premises per se.
“In terms of business premises, the construction industry has experienced a decline as apparent in the limited development of new high rise buildings.
“When I began my career, cranes were a familiar feature over the horizon, for instance with the construction of Karigamombe and the new RBZ Building.
“However, the tapering of business premises during that period to date has been countered by a marked increase in residential construction, especially in high-density areas in recent years.
“As providers of building supplies, the increase in residential property construction is beneficial because these use more building materials than high rise buildings.
“Ideally however, there should be a balance between both business and residential construction because the effect of an improvement in business premises construction has a knock-on effect on residential construction, as well as broader benefits for the economy in general,” contends Mr Chataika.
What soon becomes apparent in conversing with the PG Building Supplies boss is that he appreciates the interconnectedness of things.
He sees growth and development of the construction industry in the context of functional macro-economic fundamentals.
Mr Chataika believes the country’s construction industry is headed for a boom due to projects mainly in the minerals sector. “Zimbabwe’s construction industry is on a positive path and going forward there is need for continued encouragement of investment inflows.
“As we have seen of late, significant growth in the construction sector in respect of developments in the mining sector will boost property development.
“The expansion programmes at mines such as Mimosa, Zimbabwe Platinum Holdings, Unki and recent diamond mining in Chiadzwa has resulted in an upturn in residential construction in these areas and surrounding communities.
“It is also important not to overlook developments taking place in the farming communities, especially Mashonaland Central, where enhanced agricultural output will see commercial farmers developing housing structures for their workers,” he said.
Mr Chataika began his career with PG Industries at its headquarters in Seke Road in 1969, and in January of 1970 moved to PG Timbers (Harare).
In April of the same year he moved to Gweru as an administrative clerk with PG Building Supplies.
In 1974 he was promoted to administration supervisor, and was later transferred to PG Kwekwe in July of 1980.
In November 1982, he moved to PG Rusape as assistant branch manager. In April 1984 Mr Chataika was transferred to Harare to open the first PG shop to sell hardware and plumbing in the country – PG Building Centre – which was situated in South Avenue.
In October 1987 he was transferred to PG Building Supplies (Harare) as branch manager.
In April 1992 PG acquired DST and Mr Chataika was transferred to manage DST, which was based in Douglas Road.
While working there he helped expand the single DST branch to 23 branches across the country by 2004.
In February 2004 he was made head for business development for PG Building Supplies, from where he was promoted to his current position of managing director of PG Building Supplies in April last year.
A long-serving building material supplier with PG and armed with three PG Industries Manager of the Year accolades (1990, 1991 and 1992), Mr Chataika arguably has the best repertoire to drive the company forward at this turning point after the industry’s marked decline due to a harsh economic climate.
PG Building Supplies’ target markets include individuals, schools, the hotel and tourism industry, property developers, general industry, banks, Government projects, non-governmental organisations, farmers, mines, municipalities, local authorities, shop-fitters contractors and the informal sector.
“Additionally we are widening our product range both in terms of volume and range for the company to truly become a One-Stop building supplies centre; in this respect we are strengthening our linkages with our key product suppliers outside the country.
“The new chief executive has also come in with an employee training programme for the improvement of interface with customers,” he said.
The company sells products including glass and putty, timber, a range of boards, hardware, doors, asbestos, paint, cement, steel frames, plumbing, chair sets and backs, mouldings, sanitary ware and fittings.
The listed range of products includes both locally made and imported products.
Mr Chataika encouraged the Government to facilitate the re-capitalisation of local industry, especially the productive sectors.
“There is need for the Government to boost money supply into local industry, especially manufacturing because if that sector becomes vibrant again that can result in companies such as ours reducing the level of imported products as long as the quality and price of the local product is competitive.
“A vibrant manufacturing sector will also result in increased job creation, resulting in an upturn in construction both in terms of residential and business premises,” he said.
PG Building Supplies boasts of a wide network of branches across Zimbabwe including Harare, Bindura, Bulawayo (2), Chinhoyi, Chipinge, Chiredzi, Gokwe, Gwanda, Hwange, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Masvingo, Mutare, Mutoko, Rusape, Victoria Falls and Zvishavane.