In the ever evolving and challenging South African construction industry, Trencon Construction stands out as a business that has become synonymous with quality, delivery, iconic buildings, and transformation.
Started in 1995, founder and visionary, the late Dino Singh, wanted to form a fully Black-owned building and civil contractor that could service the commercial, industrial, and residential markets of South Africa.
In a very challenging operational environment, but with sheer guts and determination, Trencon grew from strength to strength and now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the construction giants of South Africa.
After Singh’s sudden passing in 2021, his daughters, Yavani Singh-Ninan (CEO) and Aradhna Singh (Human Capital Director) stepped into key positions alongside the highly experienced and credible management team to ensure that Trencon would continue to deliver projects of high complexity on time and within budget.
“Our passion for women empowerment brings new energy and creativity to a traditionally male-dominated environment,” says Singh-Ninan. “The sisters hope to build on their father’s legacy with innovative and environmentally sustainable solutions”.
Trencon’s operational team is successfully led by COO Toni Flavio who has over 40 years of construction experience.
“I am very proud of the buildings that we build. I am thankful to our clients that trust us to deliver their projects. I am thankful for a dedicated team that makes Trencon great,” he says.
In 2023, Trencon expanded by opening offices in Cape Town. This was a significant milestone for the company. The Trencon Cape Division is led by Eduan Van Rooyen who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. The expansion not only brought new opportunities for the company but also contributed to the local economy by creating jobs and fostering partnerships within the community.
Now with nearly 30 years of experience, Trencon’s footprint extends across South Africa and has delivered landmark projects that have changed the landscape of their country.
From shopping centres, residential and industrial developments, parkades, airports, schools, data centres, bridges, renewable energy and infrastructure projects, the company is equipped to tackle a wide range of projects across the building and civil industries.
Trencon’s holistic approach to construction integrates design, finance, construction, and operational experience that has been developed over the years and is exemplified by its pivotal role in projects like the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the City of Tshwane Head office in Pretoria.
These projects not only showcase Trencon’s prowess as an integrated construction and property development entity but also underscore its vital role as a transformative and leading force in the industry.
Trencon is committed to building South Africa and tackling the current issues in infrastructure, energy and water demands through key strategic partnerships both locally and internationally. With a passion for fostering personal connections and swift decision-making, Trencon does not just build structures; they build relationships.
“We have a flat structure. Our decision-making is very fast, we do not have to go through a series of sub-boards to make a decision,” Flavio says. “We have committed and motivated staff. The work that we produce is of a very high quality. We complete our projects on time and to budget, and that makes us our customers’ preferred contractor.”
Sourcing South African Talent
Trencon is a proudly South African company, but that also brings its own challenges.
Due to socio-economic factors such as a high crime and unemployment rate, many young professionals seek a more stable, secure environment for themselves and their families, and are increasingly looking beyond the borders of South Africa.
“One of the challenges we have as a company in South Africa is what is commonly referred to as the
‘Brain Drain’,” says Flavio. “We have lost a few professionals to work in places such as Ireland, Canada, England, New Zealand, and Australia. It is a real problem.”
The trend of seeking opportunities abroad makes it a challenge to keep young talent and skills in South Africa.
“We need to find and keep core skills, which are becoming harder and harder to find,” Flavio says.
Trencon faces the challenge of providing a convincing case to stay in South Africa.
However, if Trencon did not know how to attract the needed talent from local universities or collaborate with clients who have young professionals seeking internships, it would not have grown and developed into one of the largest construction companies in the country.
Trencon has a proven record of accomplishment for retaining staff for a notable amount of time.
“The culture that we have means there is very little staff turnover. Generally speaking, we find our staff leaving to emigrate rather than to work for a competitor,” Flavio points out. “We make sure that our staff’s needs are taken care of and that they have a positive work environment to look forward to every day.”
The construction market in South Africa is changing, but with these changes come some very exciting opportunities. One particular area for growth in the country is that the local government has started spending more money on building new hospitals, clinics, and universities while also improving infrastructure work on old buildings that are deteriorating and becoming unreliable.
Foreign investments are also becoming prominent in South Africa, which brings in many new and exciting projects for Trencon to be a part of. These include data centres and the renewable energy space. These projects have a dual purpose in making the company more sustainable, as well as providing employment.
In all of these ventures, Trencon remains true to its core values.
From the initial planning stages to the final touches, every step of its clients’ journeys is marked by collaboration and communication. It is this enthusiasm that sets Trencon apart from its competitors, creating a legacy that extends far beyond the confines of construction sites.
The firm’s dedication to delivering quality projects, backed by decades of experience, financial stability, and a passionate team, is a commitment to excellence. In a world where size often equates to success, Trencon proves that true greatness lies in the ability to deliver with care, compassion, and a vision for a better tomorrow.
