SAIW Member profile: Aurex Constructors
Aurex Constructors: for uncompromised excellence
Aurex Constructors is a proudly South African construction, maintenance and turnaround service provider for the oil, gas, chemicals and mining sectors, as well as the thermal and renewable power sectors. African Fusion meets with Sector Director Clive Garner and Quality Manager Wentzel Houston.
A urex Constructors, which traces its roots back to the 1980s as Kentz Engineers and Constructors, was initially focused on electrical and instru- mentation (E&I) work, particularly on maintenance and shutdown projects. The company built a strong presence in the petrochemical and oil and gas sectors of Southern Africa. “Over the years, we’ve established our- selves as a leading provider in the energy industry, delivering construction, turn- arounds and maintenance solutions,” says Clive Garner, Sector Director for Oil, Gas, Chemicals and Mining at Aurex Construc- tors. In 2014, Kentz was acquired by SNC- Lavalin and continued to serve as a leading contractor in the energy space. Then in 2020, following a management buyout led by current CEO, Stuart Kent, the business re-emerged as Aurex Constructors. Following the buyout, Aurex retained its core team and operational focus in South Africa, preserving its reputation and cli- ent relationships. The company has since expanded its footprint across sub-Saharan Africa, delivering comprehensive SMEIPP services – structural, mechanical, electrical,
instrumentation, piping and platework – across tankage and terminal infrastructure, mineral processing facilities and energy plants spanning petrochemical, renewable, and thermal technologies,” Garner tells AF . Fabrication facilities and capacities Aurex’s fabrication facility in Chamdor, Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, is a strategic enabler of the company’s op- erations. Originally established to support field execution, it now plays a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, preassembled components that drive efficiency, safety and performance across the company’s business lines. “We have nearly 24 000 m 2 of space at this facility, with 7 000 m 2 of under-roof manufacturing workshops,” says Garner. According to the company’s Quality Manager, Wentzel Houston, the Chamdor facility has maintained ISO 3834-2 since 2012, ensuring consistent welding qual- ity and traceability. “Our fabrication work adheres to global standards including ASME B31.1, B31.3 and VIII Div 1 Appen- dix 10,” he explains. “We specialise in high-pressure piping systems, small to
Aurex Constructors’ operations director Clive Garner, along with quality manager Wentzel Houston. medium-sized pressure vessels, and heat exchangers of up to 6.0 metres in diameter.” The facility also supports the fabrication of tank components for on-site assembly and the fabrication of structural steel sup- port systems. It is critical to our tankage and terminals division and is widely used across mining, petrochemical, and renew- able energy sectors. “We complete 60-70% of the welding under controlled conditions in the Chamdor workshop, while preparing the remaining joints for efficient on-site assembly,” Houston adds. Additional facilities extend Aurex’s operational reach. “Our Head Office in Mid- rand, Gauteng, houses management and functional support teams, along with engi- neering services for the renewable energy sector and detailing services for tankage and terminal projects,” says Garner. “In Secunda, we’ve optimised the layout of our facility to deliver real value to clients and projects,” he continues. “Dedicated zones for training, assessments and cod- ing of welders and project staff ensure that every team member deployed meets our exacting standards. This translates directly into safer, faster and more reliable execution in the field, especially on high- specification projects where quality and compliance are non-negotiable.” The Secunda site also includes a central- ised warehouse for assets and equipment. “It serves as a logistics hub for managing, servicing and maintaining our fleet of vehicles, cranes, welding machines and other critical tools. Keeping our assets in peak condition ensures uninterrupted project delivery and rapid mobilisation,” Garner tells AF . In Namibia, Aurex Constructors operates from an office in Walvis Bay, where work- shop facilities support the company’s first tank contract in Lüderitz for the local ter- minal sector. “We’ve also introduced site- specific training and assessment protocols to ensure our teams are equipped to meet
Aurex Constructors’ Chamdor facility has maintained ISO 3834-2 since 2012, ensuring consistent welding quality and traceability.
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November-December 2025
AFRICAN FUSION
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