On time, on budget
Paarl based Isipani Construction was the main contractor for the SAFT facility.
Grant Robertson, Isipani’s contracts director describes the firm’s involvement in this highly specialised project.
“We commence on site after winning the tender in April 2018 with a projected completion date of May 2019 – just under 14 months. The internal footprint of the facility – warehouse and two office complexes – is around 22 000 m2 with the balance of the site being hardstanding for utilities and vehicle access.
“Being a sophisticated cold store, specialised trades were engaged to complete the refrigeration system, insulated wall panelling, racking and cooling tunnels, electrical, monitoring and automated systems and despite the fragile nature of the panels the contractors performed well and kept to the tight programme.
“The same can be said of the other trades and specialised services this facility requires and although the sheer size of the facility was intimidating the few challenges, as experienced in all projects, were overcome through good communications and cooperation which resulted in a first class facility with excellent quality finishes that will rival any such cold store anywhere in the world.
“In some ways our climate assisted in keeping to a tight schedule – it was during the drought – so no wet weather delays were recorded, but that issue meant that we had to import potable water onto the site and use the commodity sparingly.”
Isipani Construction was established in 1960, and has an established 59 year reputation of quality construction throughout the Western Cape as building and civil contractors specializing in commercial, retail, industrial, government and large residential construction.
