40 Years of SMEIPP Construction Excellence

LTA Autecon, formerly known as Grinaker-LTA Mechanical & Electrical, has recently redefined its distinct identity and strategic positioning as a market leader in the structural, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, piping and plate work (SMEIPP) construction sectors. With over 40 years of experience, LTA Autecon specialises in delivering an array of construction solutions tailored to the oil and gas and mining sectors. The company’s comprehensive service offerings range from procurement and fabrication to construction, commissioning and maintenance – underscoring its commitment to over four decades of industrial excellence and innovation.

Led by well-known SMEIPP sector stalwart Managing Director Bheki Mdlalose, the company is not only drawing on its heavyweight industry experience and capabilities in the oil and gas and mining sectors, but casting its net wider, to make an impact in several key vertical sectors.

Stalwart SMEIPP track record

Mdlalose began his engineering career with Murray and Roberts, playing a central role in many flagship projects. When he joined Grinaker-LTA in 2006, this upward trajectory continued with iconic construction projects such as the Moses Mabhida, Soccer City and Cape Town stadiums for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Shortly afterwards, Mdlalose opened his own project management company focusing on the power and mining industries. In 2015, he returned to Grinaker-LTA to lead the Mechanical & Electrical business, before taking the helm as Group Operating Managing Director (responsible for Grinaker-LTA and its subsidiaries) just 18 months later.

In 2019, Mdlalose led the restructuring of the then R8-billion per annum Grinaker-LTA Group, retaining just the Civils, Building and Mechanical and Electrical business units.

Thereafter, he set about reshaping the Mechanical and Electrical business for its transition into a standalone entity, which was re-established in 2023 and rebranded as LTA Autecon.

“This is where my key expertise lies. The SMEIPP space is totally different and relies on cyclical commodities – which constantly change and therefore dictate when and where companies invest. Previously, we had focused on the petrochemicals sector – and now wanted to re-enter the mining space – so the business needed to operate differently,” he explains.

“LTA Autecon was known for many years in the mechanical and electrical sectors, and the relaunching and rebranding move has been a positive one, intended to allow us to re-establish our own strong SMEIPP identity in the market,” he adds.

The end result is a business with a proud heritage spanning over 40 years and ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certification, which is perfectly positioned to manage projects for oil and gas, mining and resources clients – including many ‘blue chip’ companies – throughout Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

Refocused for the future

Being too strongly weighted towards South Africa’s petrochemical sector – which is in the midst of its own metamorphosis with several key refineries mothballed – was not ideal, Mdlalose admits.

“It was not sustainable for us to have all of our eggs in one basket – and therefore we needed to re-enter the mining space, tap into renewable energy and restructure our electrical and instrumentation business,” he says.

LTA Autecon now comprises three distinct business units: Oil & Gas, Metals & Minerals and Electrical & Instrumentation, which includes a wholly-owned, but completely independent subsidiary, Grunwald Manufacturing, manufacturing electrical and instrumentation equipment for a host of vertical sectors which are typically not serviced by a SMEIPP business.

• The Metals & Minerals division is focused on the mining sector, leveraging the extensive construction opportunities available within South Africa and across Africa. As such, this division aims to support the growing demand for infrastructure related to mining activities,   focusing on projects which enhance operational efficiency and sustainability in the mining sector.
• The Oil & Gas division specialises in the petrochemical and oil and gas sector, and is tailored to deliver a wide array of capital projects. These include services for turnarounds, shutdowns, and maintenance work – ensuring that clients in this sector can optimise their operations and maintain their compliance with industry standards.

“As we are actively involved in all refineries in this country, we understand the industry. In the short- to medium-term, South Africa will build a new refinery to replace those which have closed, so we must be strategically and operationally geared up for that opportunity,” Mdlalose points out.

• The Electrical and Instrumentation business unit supports the other two business units – while also working alongside Grunwald Manufacturing.

Mdlalose believes this reorganised and reinvigorated operational structure will enable LTA Autecon to handle SMEIPP-specific projects – while also providing turnkey solutions through an integrated capabilities and resource base.

A business built on people

Referring to skills shortages in South Africa, Mdlalose observes that in order to retain experienced people, they need to be developed and recognised for their achievements.

“Our business is based on people. Some have been with the company for over 30 years and have amassed valuable institutional knowledge. They understand the SMEIPP environment – as well as our company identity and culture – and are invested in what we do,” he says, pointing out that this experience also translates into strong relationships with suppliers and clients within the SMEIPP space.

Mdlalose intends further developing skills within LTA Autecon by teaming up experienced individuals with incoming young professionals, through the company’s graduate development programme and project work on-site. This will ensure that the company has skills to take it forward.

Throughout, he focuses on leading by example: “My management style is very direct and straight-forward. I always lead from the front to create a sense of direction and inclusivity. I am an open-door, participative manager – but I also know that, when we promise something, we must deliver!”

Mdlalose’s people development ethos extends not only to his own workforce, but to the communities in which LTA Autecon works.

Although LTA Autecon profiles and promotes its impressive legacy over the past four decades, he says the company is also excited about the future and moving with the times: “As our people have worked in this space for a long time, they can innovate and do things differently. We think outside the box when it comes to SMEIPP project delivery – and will look at new construction methodologies and approaches which ensure that we stand out head and shoulders above our competitors – ensuring that our clients are happy, rewarding us with repeat business,” Mdlalose concludes.