1990
Training key for Moolmans In the mining sector, Moolmans began to diversify by tackling projects throughout the African continent during the 1980s and 1990s. Its strong network provided a solid base from which to expand. At the heart of this was the decision to invest in skills training, with the methodologies used in the Moolmans […]
1980
LTA diversifies As the 1980s approached, LTA began to diversify, forming a new mechanical, process and electrical engineering division. The client base grew to include the chemical, mineral process and petrochemical industries. The decision to incorporate these new skills served as the point of departure for the future Aveng Engineering. South Africa’s growing economy and […]
1975
McConnell Dowell gains momentum Capitalising on the new wave of infrastructure development, two New Zealand entrepreneurs – Malcolm McConnell and Jim Dowell – had already established a multinational engineering and construction business by 1975, boasting operations not only in their homeland but also in Australia, Indonesia and Hong Kong. McConnell Dowell, as it was called, […]
1963
LTA merges and lists The pursuit of excellence in one area encourages success in others. This is what motivated the establishment of the Amalgamated Construction and Contracting Company (Amco). Formed in 1963, it began life as a group of about 50 subsidiaries and affiliates, which ultimately united into one entity. Amco shifted its focus to […]
1950
Steel comes to the fore The 1950s marked renewed interest in the steel industry, which had yet to prosper since the first factories and workshops – smelting iron, reworking scrap metal and other related processes – were established at the turn of the century. Schwarer established the Steeledale Reinforcing and Trading Company in 1951 in […]
1939
Schwarer’s winning formula By the start of the Second World War, another entrepreneur was making a name for himself in the gold capital of the world. Harold “Blue” Schwarer founded his own company, Lewis Construction. While Thompson’s values reflected the duties of the provider, Schwarer focused more on customer satisfaction and delivery, which proved to […]
1911
Grinaker lays the foundations Ole Grinaker, a Norwegian engineer, arrives in South Africa in 1911 and would eventually establish one of the most successful construction companies in the country. Grinaker was to become an influential figure in local construction. The construction sector is particularly bound to the ebb and flow of the global economy and […]
1905
Moolmans paves the way Mike and Cedric Moolman, who founded the company that was to become Aveng Moolmans, began building roads, railways and runways that connected nations – paving the way for a bold new era. They facilitated the logistical challenges that lay between mining and development, such as the transportation of enormous quantities of […]
1889
The pioneers of success James Thompson became an apprentice carpenter in Durban at the age of 12. He eventually found his way to Johannesburg where he began working for Kemp and Wishard. In 1889 he set up his own building and carpentry business: J Thompson, Carpenter and Builder. Thompson offered his clients the strong values […]
