When Flooring Becomes a Signal: Continuous Rethinking of Construction Research

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The work of a construction industry researcher is rarely about raw data alone. At its core, research in this sector is an act of continuous learning, of paying attention to the subtle ways in which projects unfold, and of listening to the people who inhabit the spaces between drawings and delivery. Because data without alignment to industry reality is, at best, inert and at worst, misleading.

That alignment is often maintained through feedback. Over the years, I have come to realize that my clients are not only recipients of my work; they are also my most valuable collaborators. They are, in effect, my feelers on the ground; the first to notice when something shifts in practice before it shows up in statistics.

About two months ago, one of those clients called me with what sounded, at first, like a small observation. In private tenders for factory warehousing and distribution centers in Gauteng, he noticed that the initial Bills of Quantities are now often omitting the flooring component. Instead, flooring contractors were approaching rebar suppliers, concrete specialists, and others at later
stages, requesting rates after the Principal Contractor appointment tender process was already underway.

This was not entirely new, late-stage coordination has always existed in pockets of the industry. But what mattered here was scale. In Gauteng, this was no longer an anomaly. It was happening often enough that my client flagged it as something I needed to pay attention to. And when Gauteng speaks, the rest of the country often than most, starts listen. As South Africa’s economic
powerhouse, what emerges here often sets the pace for practices elsewhere.

The insight was simple but profound: if flooring is being treated not as an upfront design element but as a downstream addition, the dynamics of procurement and influence shift. For suppliers, this creates a new niche. Traditionally, many invest their resources in getting listed on main contractors’ preferred supplier databases. That made sense when the main contractor was the unambiguous
gatekeeper. But if flooring contractors are now shaping procurement decisions at later stages, then ignoring those relationships could mean missing opportunities.

This realization changed the way I approached my research for the region. Monitoring such trends does more than keep our work relevant, it allows us to help clients reimagine their own strategies. Instead of viewing success solely as access to the main contractor, they might also consider building relationships with specialized players in the flooring sector, in this instance. Widening their reach in
this way is not just tactical; it is adaptive.

At Leads 2 Business, we are intermediaries, bridging gaps in the flow of information. And at a deeper level, what we offer is not simply data but a framework: the ability to see emerging signals, however small, and to translate them into an architectural blueprint for decision-making. That, ultimately, is what allows companies to build not only pipelines of work but also resilience in uncertain markets. In research, the most important insights rarely come from numbers alone. They emerge from conversations, observations, and anomalies that demand a closer look. A missing flooring line item on a Bill of Quantities may not seem like much, until you realize it is pointing to a larger structural shift.

And perhaps that is the lesson for the wider industry: in construction, transformation often begins at the margins with details that seem incidental but in fact signal deeper movements. The task for researchers, suppliers, and contractors alike is to remain open to these signals, to read them not as noise but as intelligence. For those who do, the advantage lies not in predicting the future but in
recognizing it as it quietly arrives.

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About Minnie Zondi

I am an insanely optimistic ambivert that does everything from the heart instead of the mind. Deeply interested in people and matters that pertain to mankind.

Featured Company : GREENBRO

Read about who’s who in the Industry: At Greenbro, we’re more than just mechanical contractors — we’re partners in performance. We specialise in the design, supply, installation, and long-term support of domestic and commercial hot water and mechanical plantroom systems across South Africa. Our innovative approach, combined with a deep commitment to integrity and customer satisfaction, ensures reliable and energy-efficient outcomes for every client.

 

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About Candice Erasmus

I have been working at Leads 2 Business for 10 years of which 8 have been as the Sales Manager. I enjoy every aspect of my job and strive to hold the L2B flag high in all I do.

Featured Company – DM Cabling

Read about Who’s Who in the Industry : DM Cabling can assist you with all your new installations, back-up services and maintenance for all new and existing systems. Our hands-on philosophy and honest approach ensures that you get personalised service. Main Strength of DM Cabling lies in the blend of professionals, specialized and highly focused operation. Increasing customer’s awareness is the strength where it excels over its competitors

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IAN DICKIE – SAKAI NEWSLETTER

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NEWSLETTER

 

Ian Dickie are proud to announce our collaboration with SAKAI Compaction Equipment, a globally recognized leader in durable, reliable and innovative Compaction Solutions. Through these premium products we aim to set new standards of quality and service in the South African market!

 

HV80 TWIN-DRUM ROLLER

A PREMIUM TWIN-DRUM ROLLER

THAT COMBINES HIGH COMPACTION

FORCE WITH EASE OF OPERATION

The Ian Dickie HV80 Premium Twin Drum Roller from SAKAI is a robust and reliable machine designed for compaction of soil and asphalt over a wide range of applications.

The HV80 combines high compaction force with ease of operation, while it’s compact design and highly responsive drive system allows for precise operations near wall edges, narrow spaces and around obstacles.

Learn more: https://iandickie.co.za/product/sakai-hv80-twin-drum-roller/

Features:

HIGHLY RESPONSIVE HYDROSTATIC DRIVE SYSTEM

EASY ENGINE ACCESS FOR EASE OF MAINTENANCE

40 LITRE WATER TANK

PRESSURIZED ANTI-CLOG WATER SPRINKLER SYSTEM

WALL CLEARANCE ON BOTH SIDES WITH NO OVERHANG

FOLDABLE HANDLE WITH LOCKING MECHANISM

CENTRALLY LOCATED LIFTING EYE

ERGONOMIC CONTROL LEVERS / SAFETY PUSH STOP

 

RS75 RAMMER

A HIGH-PERFORMANCE, LIGHTWEIGHT RAMMER DESIGNED FOR EFFICIENT COMPACTION OF SOIL AND SAND

The Ian Dickie RS75 Petrol Compaction Rammer from SAKAI is a high-performance, lightweight rammer designed for efficient compaction of soil and sand.

With it’s extremely low weight to power ratio, robust construction and reliable performance, the RS75 is ideal for a wide range of applications, including: backfilling for pipe/cable installation, trench works, construction and landscaping projects where precision and maneuverability are essential. Learn more: https://iandickie.co.za/product/sakai-rs75-rammer/

Features:

DOUBLE AIR CLEANER SYSTEM FOR CLEAN AIR SUPPLY

ONE-THROTTLE LEVER, ENGINE & FUEL SHUTS DOWN

STRONG, DURABLE DESIGN

EXTREMELY LIGHT WEIGHT TO POWER RATIO

LOW VIBRATION/SHOCK LEVEL AT OPERATOR HANDLE

HEIGHT-ADJUSTABLE HANDLES FOR OPERATOR CONVENIENCE

DIAPHRAGM CARBURATION

 

 

 

About Michelle Herbst

I started working at Leads 2 Business in February 2014. I'm a Senior L2Q Account Executive for the Cape Town Region.

Featured Company : Changen

Read about who’s who in the Industry: With over 30 years combined industry experience, Changen is your trusted partner in power solutions. Driven by a passion for power and people – we strive to deliver only the best to our valued clients.

 

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Featured Company : Belgotex

Read about Who’s Who in the Industry : Belgotex is Africa’s leading carpet and artificial grass manufacturer. As a soft flooring specialist we design, make and distribute high-quality broadloom and modular carpets with custom solutions available to the commercial market.

 

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Fueling Tomorrow: Lanseria’s Next Chapter in General Aviation

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Fueling Tomorrow: Lanseria’s Next Chapter in General Aviation

From Refined Infrastructure to Aviation Excellence: Crafting a Premier General Aviation Experience

All good things are repeated. And when Lanseria International Airport extended another invitation to sit down and speak, we took the opportunity without hesitation. As one of South Africa’s premier privately owned airports, Lanseria’s voice in infrastructure and innovation continues to echo powerfully across the continent. Following our first feature with CEO Rampa Rammopo, we now enter part two of our exclusive three-part series by sitting down with one of the most enduring figures at the airport; Danie Opperman, Executive Manager of Corporate Services. If anyone understands the beating heart of Lanseria’s evolution, it’s him.

A Man Who Grew with the Runway

Step back to the tarmac of May 1st, 1991, the days Lanseria became the privately owned. Among the bustle of transition stood Danie, beginning his career as a financial administrator in Aviation. In a way, the airport’s transformation is a mirror of his own , both maturing, adapting, and stepping into larger roles with time. From finance to facilities, and now at the helm of Corporate Services, Danie has, quite literally, grown with the airport.
It’s been over three decades, “Longer than your age,” he jokes, but there’s weight behind the humour. This isn’t just a job. This is home. Lanseria’s Taxiways and Hangars tell the story of his career, one carefully built through grit, pride, and a deep commitment to aviation excellence.

Fuel for the Future: A 4.2 Million-Litre Vision

General aviation: The cornerstone of private flight, has long found sanctuary in Lanseria’s clean runways and well-oiled ecosystem. But the airport is no longer satisfied with simply keeping pace. It’s setting the tone.

At the centre of its upcoming General Aviation (GA) infrastructure drive is a state-of-the-art fuel farm, designed to increase storage capacity from 1 million litres to a staggering 4.2 million litres. It’s a project born from insight and necessity.

Our current capacity just wasn’t enough,” Danie explains. “During the Soccer World Cup, we moved up to 400,000 litres in a day. We managed, but we knew something had to change.”

This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about resilience. The new farm, designed with world-class safety and fire suppression systems, ensures supply security through diversified sourcing, not just from coastal refineries, but inland too, reducing dependence on unpredictable imports and weather delays.

We’re particular,” Danie adds, “We only buy from approved suppliers: Engen, Shell, Sasol and our transportation fleet is dedicated solely to Lanseria. The quality control is meticulous. The jets that land here expect excellence – and that’s exactly what they’ll get.”

Construction is poised to break ground between September and October 2025, with Phase One delivering full infrastructure for the final capacity, even if only one tank is initially installed. It’s a smart, scalable strategy, one that reflects Lanseria’s readiness to grow with its clients.

Hangars That Reflect High-End Vision

But fuel is just the beginning. Lanseria’s strategy to court the upper echelon of aviation includes a comprehensive rethink of its hangar infrastructure. Many of the airport’s legacy hangars, inherited after long-term leases ended, no longer suit the scale or style of today’s business jets.

Danie paints the picture plainly: “You can’t expect a Global Express to squeeze into a 30-year-old space. And clients want their aircraft to reflect their lifestyle – bespoke, premium, efficient.”

In response, Lanseria is refurbishing select existing hangars and opening new opportunities for tailor-made structures through modernised land lease agreements. For some, this means demolishing outdated units to make way for sleek, custom-built hangars. Others will undergo a full facelift, upgraded doors, weatherproofing, lighting, and even tenant specific enhancements through co-investment models.

“Our approach is collaborative,” Danie explains. “If a tenant wants porcelain tiles or specific lighting, we’ll meet halfway. It’s about creating value for them, and for us.”

One-Stop Aviation Ecosystem

Lanseria’s appeal isn’t only in the infrastructure, it’s in the environment. From maintenance hubs and avionics to paint shops and pilot training schools, the airport offers a rare, full-circle aviation experience.

You can fly in, service your aircraft, attend your meetings, and not leave” unless you want a hotel stay, we joked. “It’s convenience at its most refined.” Danie says.

And perhaps most profoundly, Lanseria builds relationships. Many pilots who begin their journey training here, ideally should desire to return later in their careers, now at the helm of jets, choosing familiarity, trust, and quality over flashy alternatives.

The Horizon Ahead
As we concluded our interview, it was clear that the fuel tanks and hangar doors only scratch the surface of what’s coming. The future pulses with possibility and next, we’ll explore Lanseria’s Digital migration and Technology Transformation in our third and final instalment with Mpolaheng Mohlopi, the airport’s dynamic CFO.

For discerning travellers: whether seasoned jet-setters, business executives, or private pilots, flight is about more than getting from A to B. It’s about time well spent, seamless transitions and elevated comfort.

Lanseria International Airport is redefining its experience to meet the expectations of today’s refined traveller, delivering not just premium infrastructure, but a philosophy grounded in excellence and ease.

Whether you’re arriving in a private jet, flying commercially with distinction, or investing in the future of aviation, Lanseria isn’t just keeping pace with global standards – it’s setting them.

Coming Next in the Series, we sit down with CFO Mpolaheng Mohlopi to unpack the digital activities Lanseria is taking on – from AI-assisted systems to smart aviation technology, discover how innovation is fueling the airport’s nextascent: Stay with us!

Written By | Minnie Zondi

About Minnie Zondi

I am an insanely optimistic ambivert that does everything from the heart instead of the mind. Deeply interested in people and matters that pertain to mankind.

Featured Company : Union Tiles

Read about who’s who in the Industry: Union Tiles prides itself with deep Italian roots, founded in 1910 and established in 1922, Union Tiles (Pty) Ltd is a multi faceted wall and floor tile corporation offering a wide range of products and services to complete your home or commercial project.

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Featured Company: JTN Electric (Pty) Ltd

Read about who’s who in the Industry: We at JTN Electric are based in Krugersdorp and cover the whole of Gauteng and beyond. We offer a wide range of services to meet the demands of our clients, these include all aspects of Domestic, Commercial and Industrial installations. We have Experienced Fully Qualified Electrical Engineers on hand to deliver a professional and high-quality service which is fully insured and certified.

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About Connie van Tonder

I started working at L2B in April 2017 as an Accounts Executive. Not knowing too much about the construction industry. Learning new things every day and enjoying every second of it. Loving what I do!

Featured Company : Master Builders Association Western Cape

Read about who’s who in the Industry: The Master Builders and Allied Trades’ Association Western Cape, “known as the MBA”, is a registered Trade Association for the Employers in the building industry.

If you are interested in becoming one of our subscribers, please visit Leads 2 Business.
To view notes with screenshots on how to use our website, please visit Leads 2 Business Wiki.
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About Michelle Herbst

I started working at Leads 2 Business in February 2014. I'm a Senior L2Q Account Executive for the Cape Town Region.

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