At BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION, we follow a culture of safety, quality and reliability. The driving force behind BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION is a core of dedicated, hands-on management professionals whose experience spans decades of major construction projects across Africa and the United Kingdom.
ABOUT US
ESTABLISHED
1970
LISTED ON THE JSE
1994
B-BBEE STATUS
LEVEL 1
Our activities cover the full construction spectrum and are divided into three main operating divisions – Building Construction, Civil Engineering and Roads and Earthworks.
Why BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION is your first choice construction partner.
- Our strong culture of professionalism and respect
- Our responsive senior management who have extensive industry experience
- Our conservative approach to risk-taking outside of established construction standards
- Our capability to pursue opportunities across numerous geographies
- Our broad technical and sector specialisation
- Our ability to consistently execute and deliver both small and large-scale projects
Rated The Most Empowered Company on the JSE in 2019, we pride ourselves on being a company that strives to empower as many stakeholders as possible throughout the construction value chain.
OUR VISION
Building is more than our business, it’s our passion. At BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION, we transform ideas into reality through quality construction, skilled craftsmanship, and unwavering dedication to excellence.
Our team is committed to delivering projects that meet the highest standards of safety, durability, and performance. Whether it’s a residential development, commercial facility, infrastructure project, or renovation, we approach every project with precision and professionalism.
Our reputation is built on trust, accountability, and results. We don’t just construct buildings, we build confidence, partnerships, and a legacy of excellence.
HISTORY
“Whatever good things we build, end up building us.” Stephen A. Newman CEO
Today we are one of the largest construction companies in Southern Africa and listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
In 2017, BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION entered the UK construction market following the acquisition of an interest in the Byrne Group from the Byrne family which subsequently increased to a majority shareholding in 2018. The Byrne Group delivers construction services through its two subsidiaries; Byrne Bros and Ellmer Construction.
In 2018, BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION expanded its footprint in the UK into the northern regions through the acquisition of a majority shareholding in Russell Construction. BUILDMAX, as the business is now known, is a Manchester-based building contractor that continues to be managed by the founding brothers Gareth and Andrew Russell.
COMPANY AWARDS
PMR AFRICA AWARD - NATIONAL SURVEY ON CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES IN SA
- 1st Overall in 2025 for Diamond Arrow Award
- 1st Overall in 2024 for Diamond Arrow Award
- 1st Overall in 2023 for Diamond Arrow Award
- 1st Overall in 2022 for Diamond Arrow Award
- 1st Overall in 2021 for Diamond Arrow Award
- 1st Overall in 2020 for Diamond Arrow Award
- 1st Overall in 2019 for Diamond Arrow Award
- 1st Overall in 2018 for Diamond Arrow Award
MBA SA NATIONAL SAFETY
- 1st place R750m plus Category in 2022 for Oceans Umhlanga Retail
- 1st place in 2022 Health Facilities Category for Netcare Parklands Emergency Department
- 1st place in 2022 Industrial Category for Northfield Massmart
- 1st place in 2022 Commercial/Industrial Category for Makro Springfield
- 1st place Apartment/Town House Category in 2022 for Ridge Town Central
- 1st place Category 1 in 2022 for PNP Distribution Centre
- 1st place Category I in 2022 for PNP Distribution Centre
- 1st place Category G in 2022 for Boardwalk Shopping Centre
- 1st place Category C in 2022 for Pearson High School
- 1st place Category F in 2021 for CDC Seraphim
- 1st place Category E in 2021 for Aspen Laboratory Expansion
- 1st place Category D in 2021 for Elidz Automould
- 1st place Category H in 2021 for Oceans Hotel & Apartments KZN
- 2nd place Category A in 2021 for Plant Yard Cape Town
- 2nd place Category B2 in 2021 for Signage Manufacturing Johannesburg
- 2nd place Category H in 2021 for Biomed Research Facility Cape Town
- 2nd place Category I in 2021 for Oceans Retail KZN
- 3rd place Category I in 2021 for Harbour Arch Cape Town
- 1st place Category H in 2019 for Biomed Research Facility
- 1st place Category A in 2019 for Plant and Service Yard Phillipi
- 2nd place Category A in 2019 for 169 on Main
- 3rd place Category F in 2019 for Steyn City High School Phase 2
- 2nd place Category G in 2019 for Pretoria Head & Neck Hospital
- 3rd place Category H in 2019 for Trilogy Centre
- 1st place Category I in 2019 for River Creek Deloitte
- 2nd place Category G in 2018 for Rosebank Link
- 2nd place Category H in 2018 for Trilogy Centre
SAFCEC INDUSTRY AWARD
- Outstanding Contribution to Industry by a Member Company in 2019
- Outstanding Contribution to Industry Transformation by a Member Company in 2017
BR - BUSINESS REPORT
- TOP 100 Most Empowered Company in the Construction Sector in 2019
FULTON AWARD
- Winner in 2022 for Buildings for Jewel City – The Onyx
- Innovation in Concrete for the Norval Foundation Gallery in 2019
- Commendation in 2019 for Infrastructure up to R100 Million for the M25-C9 Underpass
- Commendation in 2017 for Buildings Greater than 3-Storey for the Zeitz Museum
- Commendation in 2017 for Buildings Greater than 3-Storey for PWC Tower incl. Slide
- Winner in 2017 for Architecture for the Zeitz Museum
- Joint winner in 2017 for Innovation for the Zeitz Museum
GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL SA (GBCSA)
- Green Star SA Certification for SANRAL Building Baywest Offices in 2017
CONSTRUCTION WORLD BEST PROJECTS AWARD
- Winner in 2022 for Pick n Pay Inland 2 Distribution Centre
- Winner in 2021 for Jewel City: A Mixed-Use Urban Renewal Project
- Winner for Building Contractors Category in 2021 for Hensoldt Optronics
- Highly Commended award in 2021 for Castle Gate Lifestyle Centre
- Afrisam Innovation Award for Sustainable Construction and Special Mention Award in 2021 for Project Mariachi
- Podium finish and highly recommended in 2020 for DSV Park Gauteng
- Podium finish and highly recommended in 2020 for Engineering 4.0 at Up
- Podium finish and special mention in 2019 for Rosebank Link
- Podium finish, winner and highly recommended in the AFRISAM Innovation Award for Sustainable Construction in 2018 for Discovery Headquarters
- Podium finish and highly recommended in 2018 for Time Square Casino
OTHER
- African Property Awards 2021-2022 for Jewel City
THE BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION WAY
If you are reading this, you are probably already part of the success that is BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION. You will know that a big part of what makes our organisation special is that we have retained our culture and our values — our core sense of who we are — over the years.
These shared values have guided and shaped us and the big things we achieve at BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION are a direct result of the small acts of kindness, respect and compassion we show each other every day.
As a member of BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION, you are an important part of our collective success. Without you and the people around you, we would not be able to achieve the great things we have.
Known collectively as the BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION Way’, these principles include:
CULTURE
We have a positive, ‘can do’ attitude and always ‘go the extra mile’ for our clients. We always strive to be flexible, dependable, hard-working and a ‘pleasure to do business with’.
These shared values have guided and shaped us and the big things that we achieve at BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION are a direct result of the many small acts of consideration, respect and kindness that we show each other every day. As a member of BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION, you are an important part of our collective success.
Without you, and the people around you, we would not be able to achieve the great things we have.
REPUTATION
Our reputation is one of our greatest assets. We actively work to build a reputation of reliability through excellence in our people, systems and products. When our actions in any way contravene our shared values of teamwork, communication, integrity and excellence, it can adversely impact on our positive reputation.
TEAMWORK
We are a team. We succeed together. When we can help our colleagues, we do. When we need help, we ask. We do not ignore a colleague who needs our assistance, even if they have not asked for our help. We are also willing to participate in activities and projects that promote BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION.
SAFETY
At BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION safety is our first priority and a daily conversation. It is intertwined into every element of the “WBHO Way”. A safe site is a productive site and thus safety forms an integral part of our way of doing business. Every employee pledges not to consciously perform an unsafe act, nor to allow unsafe conditions, practices or behaviour go unreported. We will never compromise our own safety or the safety of others in order to “get the job done”. We will uphold and adhere to all safety regulations, procedures and practices of BUILDMAX CONSTRUCTION with the primary aim of achieving Zero Harm on every project.
QUALITY
Quality is of utmost importance to the group and both management and employees must pursue this at all times. Performance of duties should be at the expected level of skill, knowledge, experience and judgement.
VALUE CREATION
Management and employees have a responsibility to consider efficiencies where possible, such as value engineering, cost management and any other methods that provide our stakeholders with quality structures within set budgets. This responsibility extends to include exercising due care, avoiding waste and preventing the misuse or abuse of company assets.
