Construction project management company Focus Project Management is a young and dynamic company that has quickly become a formidable competitor within the construction project management industry.
A majority black-owned and managed company, Focus Project Management takes great pride in its BEE credentials and achievements. However, at the same time, its BEE status - as a level 2 contributor - is also one of the company's challenges.
"Empowerment and BEE companies have had negative connotations," says MD Clinton Crowie, "and getting some stakeholders to recognise our stature in the industry can be difficult."
The company's track record, however, speaks for itself. It complies with codes of international best practice and is associated with a number of professional bodies.
Excellence - The award winning Fairlands Office Park
Key to the company's success is relationships, says Crowie, as repeat business is critical to the sustainability of the business. The company is the largest black construction project management company in SA, and arguably one of the top five construction project management companies in terms of turnover and staff.
Though the company is based at group headquarters in Rivonia, Johannesburg, it has established a fully fledged office in KwaZulu Natal. "Our Durban office gives us a definite advantage as few construction project management companies have an established presence in KwaZulu Natal," says Crowie. "The Durban office, headed by Kevin McGill and Russell Chappe, contributes about 40% of our turnover, and is a significant player in the region."
The company's youth belies its resident skills and experience. "We employ a number of highly skilled project managers, many of whom have international experience, and this, together with our unique ethos and culture, constitutes our real strength," says Crowie.
The company's employees come from vastly different backgrounds but an inclusive culture, without much bureaucracy, means that its project managers are exposed to large, complex projects and quickly gain the hands-on experience vital for the successful delivery of projects. In an industry renowned for its high staff turnover, Focus Project Management boasts a remarkably low churn.
"We always look to employ the best of breed, and ensure that they are constantly improving as a result of our investment in systems and training.
Levy Junction - An artist's impression
"Our people and systems are key to our service delivery. We commit to provide a hands-on service; to anticipate, take ownership and responsibility; to ensure and assure quality; to adopt a time-efficient approach; and to ensure real-time cost management on each project," says Crowie.
To date the company has successfully managed projects in the retail, commercial, airports, tourism and leisure, industrial, infrastructure, institutional, mining and residential sectors as well as a number of public private partnerships.
One of its biggest commercial projects to date was the Fairlands Office Park for the Eris Property Group. The office park, which has become the new corporate headquarters for FNB Home Loans and WesBank, was valued at R1,1bn. As Focus Project Management was appointed joint project managers, Clinton Crowie was personally involved as project director.
"We had just completed work on MTN's second phase for its head office and 90% of the professional team moved to the Fairlands Office Park," he recalls. "The Fairlands project was extremely successful in terms of budget, timing and quality and has subsequently gone on to win both green and design awards from the SA Property Owners Association."
Focus Project Management is working on the Levy Business Park Mixed-Use Development in Lusaka, Zambia, together with Liberty Property Development in a project valued at US$150m. The project, incorporating a shopping centre, offices and a hotel, is due for completion in the latter half of 2011. "This is the biggest development of this nature to take place in Lusaka and our first project outside SA. Though the project will not be without its challenges, we are confident that it will be completed on time and within budget," he says.
Other projects the company is involved in beyond SA's borders include a mixed-use waterfront development in Swakopmund, Namibia. Crowie says the company will be establishing a dedicated subsidiary to handle project management projects outside SA in due course.
"The local market will always be our core focus, but we are eager to take on large African-based projects," he says. "The SADC region is more familiar to us, so that will be our focus initially, though we will be looking further afield."
Future plans involve more government-initiated work. The company has already been appointed on a three-year contract as the lead service provider on the Tsosoloso Project for the City of Tshwane and expects more work from national, provincial and local government.
"Our long-term vision is to be the most sought-after project management company and the company of choice for both clients and other project managers seeking employment," says Crowie.
A proven track record and an enviable BEE status, however, does not mean the company is without its challenges. The barriers to entry in the project management industry are minimal. So the number of new entrants - many of whom undercut fees being charged by larger and more established players - is growing.
Crowie, however, is confident that Focus Project Management is well placed. "In this industry you are only as good as your last project and our track record speaks for itself. Added to this is our ability to collaborate with our competitors and to work with them on joint ventures, which all bodes well for our growth."
