BUCO makes a plan ahead of possible cement shortage
MBOMBELA - A large delivery of cement was made to BUCO Nelspruit on Friday, amid fears that there might be a shortage soon.
According to Pottie Potgieter, the store’s branch manager, about 100 truckloads of cement were delivered on the day after a cement factory near Delmas had broken down.
“When a cement factory breaks down, it takes out a substantial part of supply in the market. Then the demand is much bigger than the supply, which can quickly create a crisis,” said Potgieter.
He said a spike in the construction industry can be expected from now until the end of the year due to construction companies finishing work before year-end.
“There is about a 25% increase because all the builders finish up their work. I want to supply to that demand. It’s not about getting clients, but keeping them happy. Even during the hard lockdown people bought from our store because we had stock available.”
He said 100 truckloads consist of about 68 000 bags of cement. “It is not a large amount and we sell more than that in a month, but we received this big delivery for today (October 1) to ensure that we have enough for everybody.”
According to Potgieter, more cement will be coming in during the rest of October to ensure there is no shortage.
He said Mbombela is a strong economic growth point, but that his clients are situated throughout the entire province.
“We have clients from Schoemanskloof to Komatipoort and up to Hoedspruit and Barberton.”
Potgieter said the truckloads of cement should last for the rest of the month before they are sold out.
“We will plan strategically to have enough for November and December.”