Chinese firm to produce precast concrete slabs

A chinese firm is eyeing the Kenyan property industry with a Sh3billion precast concrete factory in Kitengela on the Namanga Road. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • The technology, which  reduces the cost of homes by 20-30per cent, will make it possible to provide housing for low- and middle-income earners, which is in very high demand.
  • He further noted that the technology can be used to construct high-rise apartments, standalone houses, large-scale housing units such as those required in police stations and army barracks, schools and churches, among others.
  • The product is made by casting concrete on a steel pallet, after which it is cured in a controlled chamber, transported to the construction site and lifted into place for installation.

A chinese firm is eyeing the Kenyan property industry with a Sh3billion precast concrete factory in Kitengela on the Namanga Road.

The factory to be opened by Boleyn Magic Wall Panel Ltd  (BMWP), which has a production capacity of 20,000 housing units annually, will launch its products in May.

Speaking during a sponsorship meeting for the forthcoming 21st Kenya Homes Expo, BMWP Managing Director Jack Liu said the precast concrete technology was not only  an indication that the cost of homes will go down, but also a step in the right direction in helping reduce substandard constructions, which  lead to the  collapse of buildings in the country from time to time.

“Our factory will manufacture products like wall panels, half slab, hollow core slab for flooring and roofing, columns, pressurised beams, road barriers, railway sleepers, highway and bridge double-T beams and staircases,” said Mr Liu.

He added that the quality of construction is assured since precast concrete is manufactured in a controlled environment, which makes it easier to standardise the mixing, placement, and curing.

He noted said that technology has an added advantage since it does not require plastering, formworks, wooden works or scaffolding.

The technology has been approved by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development  and is expected help bridge the current deficit in the supply of housing.

IGNITING CREATIVITY

The technology, which  reduces the cost of homes by 20-30per cent, will make it possible to provide housing for low- and middle-income earners, which is in very high demand.

Meanwhile, Mr Daniel Ojijo, the CEO  of Homes Universal Ltd, told DN2  that precast concrete reduces  construction time and labour by up to 60 per cent. The overall capital investment also goes down by 4 per cent, he noted.

“This is a blessing for many developers who are grappling with the lengthy periods it takes to finish their projects since the precast slabs only require assembling on site, and can take just eight days to complete a two-bedroom house,” Mr Ojijo said.

He further noted that the technology can be used to construct high-rise apartments, standalone houses, large-scale housing units such as those required in police stations and army barracks, schools and churches, among others.

BMWP is preparing to showcase the product during the forthcoming Kenya Homes Expo, slated for April 16-90, which is themed, “Ignite your Creativity”.

“We are optimistic that 21st Kenya Homes Expo will provide us with the relevant crowd to launch our product on the market and get Kenyans to use it. We are also confident that many Kenyans will adopt this technology as it is far more affordable and durable compared to cast-on-site concrete,” said Mr Liu.

According to Liu, if precast concrete is widely adopted in the country, it will help Kenya reduce losses incurred through collapsed buildings, estimated to be worth Sh1.4 billion a year.

BMWP has recruited and trained about 100 Kenyans to run the Kitengela factory and will create employment for about 500 others before end of  this year when it will be fully operational.

The product is made by casting concrete on a steel pallet, after which it is cured in a controlled chamber, transported to the construction site and lifted into place for installation.

Precast concrete has been widely used in Europe for the last 100 years and in the Middle East for more than 30 years and is said to be the likely replacement for conventional building techniques.