Q&A With Chris Brown

We recently had a Q&A session with previous Excellence in Construction winner Chris Brown of Smith & Winfield, and found out what winning this prestigious award meant to him and his organisation.

What prompted you to enter your project into the Excellence in Construction Awards?
"When we first started negotiating our involvement in the contract - I knew that this would be a contract worth entering. The building has historical interest being Durbans first Police and Fire Stations and was in an extremely dilapidated state. The commitment and vision of the client, architect and project manager, as well as the work undertaken by the entire team of subcontractors to restore this building to its original splendour, is something that deserved to be recognised."

How did you find the administrative process?
"It was relatively straight forward - the submission forms were easy to complete and the backup information required was easy to gather."

What did you think of the adjudication process?
"For us it was just a matter of meeting the adjudicators on the site, showing them around the building, explaining the work we had done and answering any questions. The adjudicators, being highly experienced experts in the construction and architectural fields, have a thorough knowledge and appreciation of what is involved in getting a building to its completed state. This helps with the whole process."

What aspect of it did you find most challenging?
"Documenting all the restoration processes and then compiling this into our submission document."

What did you think of the event evening itself?
"It is really good to have an event which pulls the whole industry together for the common cause of recognising quality.
The evening was very well put together and is an occasion which allows us to gather once a year at a venue which is not a roofwet or site braai."

What did it feel like when your company was announced Supreme Winner?
"Obviously very proud, but at the same time a bit guilty that we were receiving the accolades for a job that involved so many other companies and individuals.
I know that our client, the owner of the building was exceptionally pleased when we told them. This was probably the best part. It somehow confirmed that their decision to appoint us had been justified. "

What are your thoughts on the amount of publicity surrounding the event?
"We were very pleased with the publicity we received in the local press as well as the Industry journals and publications. The brochure produced by the Master Builders, as well as the newsletters and exposure on the website was great for our company."
 
Has wining had an impact on your business?
"Winning these awards is a great marketing opportunity for our company and most of our clients and potential clients are genuinely impressed that we have been recognised by the Master Builders movement." 

Would you recommend entering the competition to other companies in the Industry?
"Most definitely! Someone else independently judging and recognising the results of your efforts somehow makes it more meaningful. It also allows for those who worked so hard and so well on the sites to receive recognition for their part."

What advice would you give them?
"The awards recognise a broad spectrum and type of projects, so any project can be entered.
I would suggest that companies encourage their site personnel to enter their contracts, and make this an objective from the start of the contract.

The criteria used for judging are certainly worth adopting as benchmarks for a successful contract, which could also lead to recognition."

Ernest Roper | Regional Manager Durban