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Master Builders Kwazulu-Natal Newsletter
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Construction Industry News and Views Edition 19 - January 210
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2010 - THE YEAR OF EXCITEMENT, ACHIEVEMENT AND OF COURSE SOCCER
Dear Readers
I wish to take this opportunity to welcome all staff, members and fellow role players back to the working world, and to what promises to be a very exciting 2010. Change continues to remain the only constant in our world, but it does seem that the rate of change is increasing wherever it is that you look. This is, of course, hard to quantify but few seem to disagree.
In the face of such change, and all of the new challenges facing us collectively, it is important to remain focused on our broad strategic objectives and I would like to share a few of the Association's objectives with you for the coming year.
Best Practice
You will no doubt have become aware of the increasing demands placed on the industry by consumers as well as regulatory bodies, and it is important that the building industry ensures that it maintains acceptable standards of workmanship and business practice. Failure to do so will mean that we lose the freedom to regulate ourselves as far as reasonably possible. The Association attempts to serve its members whilst minimizing interference in the manner in which they run their businesses. There are certain standards, however, which we are obliged to enforce if we are to maintain the reputation of the Association, the Master Builders movement and the members collectively.
The Executive Council of the Association has decided that we need to become even more pro-active in insisting that members adhere to Occupational Health & Safety legislation and best practice, and to this end we have started rolling out our Safety Check programme. We expect all of our full members to undertake their contracting work in such a way as to achieve the equivalent of a 4 star safety grading. We will therefore be systematically contacting our members with a view to ascertaining their levels of safety compliance. In the instances where members are not yet at the required standard, the Association will avail its free health and safety advisory services which will allow members to achieve the necessary standards. These standards are in any event what is expected and enforced by the Department of Labour. It will be far better for members to get to grips with workplace safety with us than with the regulator.
Find a Builder
Members have always found that membership of the Association is a positive marketing tool, and we are now taking this to a new level. Our web-based Find-a-Builder module is being extensively marketed and we have found a number of innovative ways of putting you, the member, in touch with prospective clients. Along with our Best Practice programme, we are confident that Find-a-Builder gives the public what it's been clamouring for, for so long - access to honest, reliable, professional and competent contractors. Over the years we have confirmed that this exposure is one of the most tangible and useful benefits that you can use to assist your business. Although the economy appears to be recovering, these are still relatively tough times and your professionalism will give you a distinct advantage over your competitors. Find-a-Builder will ensure that this advantage becomes known to your prospective clients.
Green Building
Depending on your view and who you read, you may view climate change as anything ranging from serious all the way through to catastrophic. Either way, all of humanity has had thrust upon it the responsibility to do all that it can do to prevent climate change from becoming disastrous. Buildings and their use account for approximately 40% of carbon emissions. Ironically buildings, and their use, have the greatest scope for adopting new practices which will mitigate climate change.
The Association is refurbishing its head office in Westville according to environmentally sustainable principles, with a particular focus on energy efficiency. These changes will be highlighted and made available for visitors to come and view and understand. In addition, we are establishing a green building centre which will showcase environmentally sustainable building products, materials, methodologies and service providers. We aim to become a substantial resource for anybody who is looking for anything related to green building. An initial focus will be on solar water heating.
Green building is already an imperative, not a nice to have, and we are pleased to be involved in the very forefront of this activity in South Africa. Green building also provides for a number of economic opportunities which can provide a much needed boost for businesses in these cash strapped times.
Providing a Relevant Service
In addition to these and other new initiatives, we are building on our existing service menu to ensure that we provide services and advice that are relevant and useful for contractors, while also promoting an environment that seeks to provide satisfaction to customers and the public. We continue to work hard on the training front to ensure that the skills in the industry are what they need to be. We are also engaging extensively on all aspects of the contractual landscape and are striving to ensure that the playing fields are level for our members when it comes to tenders and tendering, regulations as well as the relationships between contractors, built environment professionals and the public.
We urge all of our members to remember that the Association is yours and that we exist to serve you. If our service is not up to the standard that you expect from us, or you believe that we should be embarking on activities that we may not be currently undertaking, please contact us and let us have the feed back. We look forward to working along side you for another year and wish prosperity and peace for all.
Brandon Abdinor | Executive Director
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contact us
Tel: 0861 001 106
Health and Safety
Neels Nortje
Financial Services
Clive Hill
Benefits Office
Rob Pengelly
Contractual & Legal
Bruce Lyle
Training
Victor Smith
Customer Care
Shelly Kupferman
South Coast Regional Manager
Hans Stols
North Coast Regional Manager
Paula Ferraris
Midlands Regional Manager
Gareth Roberts
Finance Manager
Greg Beykirch
Commercial & Online Manager
Gary Amstutz
Executive Director
Brandon Abdinor
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Builders Forum
Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal General Forum was recently implemented to create a platform for open exchange of Industry relevant information, as well as to encourage healthy debate. The forum is open to anyone who has a vested interest in the construction industry.
Latest Threads:
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How foreigners see SA?
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To go directly to the forum click on this link http://forum2.masterbuilders.co.za or copy and paste the link into your browser.
Discuss | Contribute | Learn
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Advertise Here!
If you would like to advertise your product/service here and reach over 600 Members of the Master Builders Association, contact Tanya on
031 266 7070.
For more information visit the advertising section of our website.
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