Three leading infrastructure, resources and industrial development firms have forged a partnership offering Africa the very best expertise in Project Delivery Services in the infrastructure, resources and industrial development sectors.

The partnership has been formalised as Prodelko, a company which combines the expertise of:
• Bigen Africa, a leading South African infrastructure development firm with a strong presence throughout Southern Africa, Ghana, Zambia and a growing footprint across the continent;
• VBKOM, a specialist in mining engineering, project and risk management and environmental rehabilitation with a strong presence in South Africa and Namibia; and
• Wave International, an established Australian engineering, project management and environmental management firm, which already has a presence in  Kenya.

“These three companies share a commitment to forging long-term partnerships with their clients by adding value in the most flexible, cost-effective and efficient manner,” says Harry Nieman, CEO of Prodelko. “Our mission is to be the partner of choice for the entire spectrum of project delivery services – including consulting, programme, project and construction management – for mining, industrial and infrastructure clients.” All three companies believe in growing capability for clients and communities by providing life cycle, fit-for-purpose project delivery services which are professional, innovative and tailor engineered.

The product offering is supported by a wide range of specialist services, developed over a collective 58 years:
• Local expertise in technical, managerial and institutional environments;
• Engineering and specialist services;
• Development finance and advisory services;
• Asset management and operational optimisation;
• Infrastructure development, facilitation and delivery;
• Decision support and specialised risk management; and
• Materials handling.

“A key advantage in contracting Prodelko is our ability to economically scale down or ramp up our services to offer flexible solutions relative to changing investment and client requirements,” says Nieman. Prodelko infrastructure services include housing, energy, water, roads, rail, ports, structures and environmental impact. Resources expertise includes base metals, coal, ferrous metals, bauxite and iron ore. Industrial experience spans sugar and refining, chemicals, paper and pulp, automotive, printing and distribution, food and beverage and warehousing.

“Our project delivery comprises preparation, planning and execution – from concept through pre-feasibility and feasibility to implementation and close-out. We have experience in the capital management of greenfield and brownfield sites as well as managing time-critical shutdowns of major plants and operations,” says Nieman.
 Prodelko regards clients as partners, assisting and supporting them through a suite of project management and EPCM services to manage consultants, vendors, contractors and subcontractors. This support includes engaged and cooperative project facilitation, business analysis, strategic consulting, integration management, change control and document control.

“If required, we can establish and develop a working project office with immediate value-added impact and buy-in from stakeholders, and meet the expectations of the project owner,” says Niema. Risk management is integrated with the various facets of the project, with a specific baseline for risk analysis assessments during each project phase. Phase-specific processes and tools are employed and legal risk management requirements are adhered to during detail engineering and construction phases.

“A specialist risk management service is provided to capture the predicted economic benefits from business plans and project opportunities. The identification of opportunities and risks can be materialised and risks are managed to tolerable levels, achieving integration of risk and value management in the decision-making process. The risk and decision analysis team works with expert business and technical experts to provide specialist risk and decision-making services across the life cycle of business opportunities,” says Nieman. The Prodelko procurement and logistics management expertise available spans sourcing strategies, leverage methodologies, supplier pre-qualification and tender, supplier, early mobilisation and site materials management. “At the base of all our projects is an integrated approach of zero harm to people, assets and environment,” concludes Nieman.