BASIL READ STRENGTHENS CORE TEAM TO ASSUME EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES

Leading construction company, Basil Read (Pty) Ltd has geared itself towards making 2009 the year of the company’s global expansion.

According to Basil Read CEO, Marius Heyns, the strategic planning has involved an extensive restructuring process whereby the company will make available some of its top management executives to become a pivotal part of this global strategy. “In addition Basil Read has also begun recruiting additional Senior Executives to strengthen the team, during this crucial time,” says Heyns.

Kgomotso Sekgobela has been appointed to the position of Executive Director – Commercial, Business Development at Basil Read and Tshiwo Yenana has been appointed to the position of Executive Development Manager. Sekgobela joins Basil Read from Tenaka’s Tribe, where as Business Development Director, he played a crucial role in the company’s overall group strategy and new business development. Yenana joins the Group from the National treasury, where he as Project’s Director was responsible for the implementation of the Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant for National Treasury.

“The Basil Read Group is pleased to welcome these two young professionals into the Basil Read fold,” says Heyns. “We have high expectations that they will strengthen the team with their business development expertise and will be a significant asset to the company in terms of broadening the Group’s horizons,” he adds.

Despite the global economic downturn South African construction is still in the midst of a boom and Basil Read is at the forefront of this rise, taking full advantage of the opportunities at hand. “Our R5 billion 2010 turnover target is well in sight and having established a formidable reputation in the local construction industry Basil Read now intends to expand its operations abroad and has focused its sights on business opportunities in Australia, Europe and Civil Infrastructure in the Middle East.”

Basil Read is also looking at selected African countries that will offer opportunities in roads and infrastructure. Heyns adds that in time Australia and Europe will offer attractive infrastructure projects when economies in these regions start to recover. “Our strategy in the downturn is to seek out potential opportunities and position ourselves to take advantage of the upswing that should start to unfold over the next two years,” he says.

Heyns believes that the construction boom will continue beyond 2010 with government’s commitment to local infrastructural development. “Basil Read will continue to take up these local opportunities as well, but with a balance sheet that is stronger then ever, Basil Read is set for international expansion,’ concludes Heyns.