S. Africa’s Top Contractors

Construction businesses play a key role in the development of a nation.

The South Africa we know today was built by South African construction companies – and foreign builders as well – who were hired at one time or another to create structures.

The list below features some of the construction companies that have made a huge impact on the South African building and construction sector over the past few decades or so.

WBHO Construction

Established in 1979, Wilson Bayly Holmes (WBHO) is the largest construction company in South Africa with operations in Australia, the UK, and several other African countries.

The company, which is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, is named after its founders – John Wilson and Brian Holmes – who initially traded as Wilson-Holmes (Pty) Ltd.

After several acquisitions, the company was renamed Wilson Bayly Holmes (Pty) Ltd before finally becoming WBHO Construction in 1996.

WBHO offers diversified engineering and infrastructure solutions in various sectors including road and bridge construction, earthworks, as well as infrastructure and civil engineering.

In 2020, the company reported $2.61 billion in sales and revenues.

Concor (Murray & Roberts)

Formerly known as Murray & Roberts Construction, Concor is a leading infrastructure and services construction business, with core proficiencies in the building, mining, infrastructure, and property development sectors.

With a history that dates back to the early 1900s, Concor is regarded as one of the most powerful construction companies in the South African region.

The company has delivered iconic projects across South Africa, including Bloukrans Bridge in the Eastern Cape, the Huguenot Tunnel, and Hugo’s River Viaduct in the Western Cape.

Others include the reservoir for the Ingula Power Station in Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Carlton Centre, ABSA Towers, Melrose Arch, and the Gautrain and Menlyn Shopping Centre in Gauteng.

In 2020, the company reported $1.26 billion in sales and revenues – thereby retaining its position as the second-largest construction company in South Africa.

Stefanutti Stocks

Stefanutti Stocks (Pty) Ltd is one of South Africa’s leading multidisciplinary construction companies with an annual turnover of over $400 million and about 9,000 employees.

The company delivers a range of infrastructure development projects to governments, local authorities, mining houses, large corporations, financial institutions and property developers.

Stefanutti Stocks operates in a wide range of sectors including roads and earthworks, structures, mining services, interior fit-out, mechanical, electrical and power, as well as the construction and building sector.

The company has a Grade 9 rating from the South African Construction Industry Development Board which gives it unlimited tender capability.

Raubex Construction

Raubex Construction (Pty) Ltd is a top construction company in South Africa, having handled infrastructure development and building materials supply for more than 40 years.

Raubex, which was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in March 2007, operates across South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Cameroon, Zambia, and Mozambique.

The company operates in Western Australia after acquiring Westforce Construction.

Aveng Group

Aveng Limited, which operates through its subsidiaries, Aveng Grinaker-LTA, McConnell Dowell, Aveng Manufacturing, Aveng Steel, Aveng Moolmans and Aveng Capital Partners, is one of the leading construction companies in South Africa.

Aveng Grinaker-LTA offers construction and engineering services to clients in South Africa, Mozambique and Mauritius, while McConnell Dowell offers engineering, construction, and maintenance services.

RELATED: South Africa’s Top Architectural Firms

Aveng Steel supplies steel to domestic and export markets, while Aveng Manufacturing produces and sells construction products. 

Aveng Capital Partners is the investment and financing arm of Aveng.

Aveng Limited is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

WK Construction

WK Construction is one of the largest construction companies in South Africa with more than 40 years of experience in the construction and engineering business.

Previously known as WJM Construction, the company that was founded in Cape Town in 1960 was renamed WK Construction in 1993 after a management buy-out.

WK Construction’s offerings include trenchless technology construction, infrastructure development, pipeline construction, concrete structures, crushing, and screening operations.

Group Five

Group Five Construction (Pty) Ltd has since 1974 played a major role in the infrastructure and energy sectors. At its peak, the group had 34 companies making over $70 million in sales.

Group Five is the company behind the construction of Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban as well as major roads as far as Eastern Europe. It operates across South Africa, the rest of Africa, Europe, Russia, and the United States.

Unfortunately, Group Five entered business rescue in March 2019 amid severe pressure from the termination of the Kpone power project in Ghana, which resulted in the company’s guarantee providers making a $106.5 million payment — for which Group Five is responsible.

On June 15, 2020, Group Five was delisted from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, ending a 46-year history as a publicly traded company.

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