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Kwikspace Modular Buildings

Product News Wednesday, June 9, 2010: Kwikspace Modular Buildings

15 September 2008: Kwikspace Modular Buildings (Pty) Ltd, manufacturer of pre-built modular units, has introduced the use of light weight steel frame technology to its operations. “This technology has huge potential for us in both the short and long term as it will improve efficiencies, address raw material costs and improve capacity,” says Keith Coulthard, CEO of Kwikspace.

Light steel frame building consists of structural wall panels and roof trusses made from light yet high strength galvanised steel sheet as opposed to the traditionally heavier steel and timber currently being used by the company.

According to the Southern African Light Steel Framing Association (SASFA) the use of light weight steel frames offers cost, time and wastage savings, lowering logistical costs and reducing time of construction.

By implementing light steel frame components in its units Kwikspace foresees a cost saving of R2 million per annum. Commissioning of machinery to produce these components is already at an advanced stage with implementation of the innovative parts on Kwikspace’s projects expected imminently. The cost of introducing light steel frame technology across the company’s operations amounts to R4 million with a 50% anticipated return on investment.

Kwikspace currently discards approximately 15% of the raw material purchased to manufacture roof trusses and 20% of the timber used for the timber wall frames. But the new technology will allow the company to efficiently produce accurate prefabricated steel frame panels and roof trusses with minimal wastage. At least 70% of light weight steel is recyclable and a large percentage of all scrap generated in the manufacture process is re-used to produce new steel, resulting in significant energy savings and a reduction of pollution.
Currently it takes a few short months from design to occupation of one of Kwikspace’s units. It is envisaged that the use of light steel frames will reduce time to completion times even further.

Major ongoing projects that will benefit from the new technology include the GAUTRAIN, various Eskom power projects, numerous school buildings for provincial government as well as office and residential accommodation to mines throughout Africa.

Light steel frame building, whilst already employed in the USA, Europe and Australia for some time now, has only recently been introduced to South Africa. It offers quality, cost efficiency and speed of erection for low-rise residential and non-residential buildings and is one of the most exciting developments in the steel and building industries.

Kwikspace recently posted a sterling set of maiden results and the introduction of light steel frame technology to the company’s operations bodes well for further exceptional performance.