How an early love of books led to a career in concrete
Hanlie Turner is the business development manager at Cement & Concrete SA
Tell me about Cement & Concrete SA.
Cement & Concrete SA (CCSA) is a new consolidated platform taking the lead on all matters relating to cement and concrete in SA. The nonprofit entity was established through consolidation of The Concrete Institute, Concrete Society of Southern Africa and the Association of Cementitious Material Producers.
How did you end up doing the work you do?
My whole career has been in the wider construction industry, albeit not in a technical capacity. I worked at Murray & Roberts, and consulting engineers WLPU as a technical librarian.
But it was a 20-year stint at the [defunct] Cement & Concrete Institute that really sparked my interest in the world of concrete. I also worked at PPC and most recently at the Concrete Society of Southern Africa before the consolidation of the bodies to form the CCSA in March.
My B Bibl degree and postgraduate qualification in marketing gave me a solid understanding of research and information processes coupled with services marketing.
What do you at work every day?
My role as business development manager is to pursue strategic opportunities for CCSA by cultivating partnerships and relationships with members and other stakeholders to identify new markets for cement and concrete in SA.
I deal with a variety of other tasks around the more practical issues of marketing as well. Being part of a relatively small nonprofit organisation means I am also involved with managerial and human resources issues. I also edit the CCSA quarterly technical journal, Concrete Beton.
How did lockdown affect your work and what did it teach you about yourself?
I have been working from home since lockdown but after the launch of CCSA in March 2021, I have been going to the association’s head office in Midrand at least once a week. This arrangement means that I can do my professional work undisturbed at times when I am at my most productive. While I miss personal interaction with colleagues, I feel that for the first time in my career my work/life balance is at a peak.
What big work mistake taught you an important lesson?
I will never forget when I was asked a question by an engineer and I started giving long explanations to be told: “Just answer the question.” This has taught me to be concise. I have also learnt not to be too proud to ask for advice and assistance. With input from appropriate people, the job gets done more effectively and efficiently.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I have always had a very keen interest in languages and literature, hence the decision to study librarianship and information science.
Yet my work in the technical environment has taken me far away from that initial interest. Being editor of the CCSA technical journal Concrete Beton, as well as the opportunity to write marketing and technical documents, has given me an ideal opportunity to be creative with words.