Midvaal-based structural and reinforcing steel supply company Fabcon Steel is developing a new engineering division to diversify into different market segments.

The company provides turnkey solutions based on engineering services, such as drawing, design and certification, followed by the actual erection of the structures required.

“We pride ourselves on supplying and manufacturing a range of solutions that encompass all typical structural components found in new high-end homes, housing complexes, commercial buildings and factories,” says Fabcon Steel director Andrew van Gool.

Fabcon Steel is a bespoke manufacturing company that focuses on supplying steel to the construction industry. Recently, Van Gool noticed a gap in the market after a client complained about a decoiling spool that they had imported. “I realised that our factory could easily make this for our client,” he explains.

Previously, many unique projects where outsourced if the company could not manufacture the parts at its factory. However, Van Gool believes that the company can now capably fulfil a range of requests.

For instance, Fabcon Steel will do all the structural steel and façade work on new student accommodation – a five-storey green energy building comprising containers – for the University of Johannesburg.

One of the benefits of the ‘container building’ is that the timeframe for construction is about a quarter of the time that it would normally be for a traditional building. Occupation of the building is expected from December this year or January next year.

“Breaking new ground, attracting new clients and being innovative is the main focus of the company currently. As an independent company, we have the added flexibility of servicing small and large-scale projects, unlike many large steel companies that have limited flexibility,” Van Gool reiterates.

While the division will be part of Fabcon Steel, he says it will have its own dedicated staff to ensure the fastest turnaround times possible to ensure that new projects will not rely on current staff being available in the factory or distract them from ongoing projects.