Background

Afrimat Aggregates is a national supplier of aggregate materials to the construction industry in Southern Africa. It currently operates in seven of South-Africa’s nine provinces and in Namibia. We are seen as one of the most respected suppliers to road builders, civil contractors & government owned enterprises.

The roots of Afrimat Aggregates lies in the amalgamation of Lancaster Group (Pty) Ltd with Prima Quarries (Pty) Ltd and the subsequent acquisition (and enhancement) of several reputable quarrying businesses.

Prima Klipbrekers (Pty) Ltd was founded in 1963 as a one-man-business with one small crushing plant in Worcester. The company grew through natural market penetrations and acquisitions to the point where it was the dominant aggregates supplier in the Boland area, and active in the Cape Peninsula, Namibia, and Eastern Cape, and mobile crushing operations nationally. 

In 1979 Prima Quarries (Pty) Ltd was founded as the holding company and evolved into a highly successful group of companies.

Lancaster Group (Pty) Ltd was established in 1965 in Kwazulu-Natal by a transport company who identified the need for aggregates supply in rural Kwazulu-Natal. Over the years this business has firmly established operations with a dominant market share in rural Kwazulu-Natal and the Free State, Kwazulu-Natal and Eastern Free State. Lancaster diversified its business in the 1970’s to produce and supply aggregates based cement products, and jointly the aggregates supply company and concrete manufactured products supplier resulted in a most successful group of companies.

In November 2006, Prima Quarries (Pty) Ltd and the Lancaster Group (Pty) Ltd amalgamated and listed on the JSE as Afrimat Limited.

Further expansion was affected by acquisitions of Malan’s Transport in the Cape (including Denver Quarries in Port Elizabeth), Scottburgh Quarries, Maritzburg Quarries and Sunshine Crushers in Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, and by extension of operations. In 2008 new operations were established in the Gauteng market, and currently new operations are being established in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

Afrimat Aggregates, one of the three the operational arms of Afrimat Limited, now comprises numerous companies in the mining and construction industries, strategically situated throughout South Africa.

Activities

Afrimat Aggregates is primarily based in the commercial quarrying industry. It currently owns and operates 21 crushing plants strategically situated in the RSA and Namibia, making it a supplier of choice for stone and aggregate products in those areas.

In addition to operating its own crushing plants, Afrimat Aggregates also offers the following services for customers who wish to outsource certain operations throughout Southern Africa.

a) Drilling and Blasting: We operate a fleet of state-of-the-art hydraulic drill rigs, and employ well qualified and highly experienced blasters. We have built an enviable reputation of undertaking technically challenging contracts at competitive rates throughout RSA.

b) Earthmoving and Plant Hire: We operate in excess of 150 earthmoving machines, such as hydraulic excavators, articulated dump trucks, front end- and digger loaders, bulldozers and water trucks.

c)   Crushing and Screening: A full range of different options are available. Ultra modern track mounted crushers and screens are complimented by jaw, gyratory and VSI crushers on transportable chassis. This allows us to optimise and configure the mobile plant to produce the material at the specification you require. Our mobile and portable plants offer a quick, cost effective solution to material supply requirements.

d) Transport: Our modern fleet consists of 5m3, 6m3, 10m3, 17m3 and interlink tippers. Together with our various low-beds we transport bulk materials, mechanical equipment and machinery.  We also make use of sub-contracted transport services to ensure optimum service delivery.

Quality, Cost Effectiveness and Service

Afrimat Aggregates is a company of world class standard with exceptional cost effectiveness. The commitment of our employees has built this company into a force to be reckoned with. In comparison to our competitors, the business results and quality products reflect a drive for excellence that has positioned Afrimat Aggregates as the company of choice by our customers.

We are committed to be the most admired supplier in each market segment that we target. The corporate strategy of the company focuses on accelerated growth by offering exceptional quality and value for our customers. We aim to offer our customers a unique experience, and in light of our 45+ year track record our customers are guaranteed that long term capacity will be maintained. A motivated work force manages cost factors to the benefit of the customer in an open and energetic company culture.

The Quality-at-Source strategy of Afrimat Aggregates is based in the belief that quality assurance is seated at each person in the production process. In-process quality control is ensured by constant testing and evaluating every step in the process. A zero tolerance approach is taken towards defects or deviations from the quality standards and specifications that are constantly monitored. Continuous improvement through motivated and empowered teams ensures continuity of success.

Since Afrimat Aggregates success relies heavily on the quality and condition of its plant and equipment, a pro active maintenance strategy is employed. A computerised proactive maintenance system supports well trained, experienced artisans with well equipped workshops to ensure absolute reliability and minimum downtime.

Black Economic Empowerment

Both Prima Quarries (Pty) Ltd and Lancaster Group (Pty) Ltd had a 25.1% shareholding by BEE companies prior to listing.

Afrimat Aggregates has black shareholding ahead of Mining Charter requirements.

Broad Based BEE is a strategic priority of Afrimat Aggregates and is being addressed through Ownership, Management, Employment Equity, Skills Development, Preferential Procurement, Enterprise Development and Socio-Economic Development as set out in the Department of Trade and Industry’s Codes of Good Practice.

Subsidiary company Melani Materials (Pty) Ltd. has obtained BBBEE certificate of level 4, while Brickrush (Pty) Ltd that is presently being reviewed and is anticipated to obtain a level 5 certificate.  We are in the process of the implementation of relevant strategies to improve on those ratings with the next review.