Located in more than 80 countries, the Lafarge Group, worldwide leader in construction material, which is present on the Mauritian territory since more than 50 years, launched in Mauritius, through its partnership Lafarge Gypsum, a construction method which shall revolution the local industry. In fact, the thousands of visitors at the ‘Salon de la maison et du jardin’ got the opportunity to familiarize themselves to those new techniques when visiting the dedicated stands.
"“This new system foreshadows savings from 20 to 30% of the construction costs if Lafarge instructions are strictly followed”, explains M.Shane Van Der Nest, Africa Marketing and Export Manager of Lafarge Gypsum. No more foundation excavations, fillings which require rocks, cement and granulate. According to Shane Van der Nest, it shall benefit the environment with less pollution and more recycled materials. Lafarge intends to change the construction industry with a better ecological footprint and with its politic of sustainable development.
" For Mr Raji Valayden, Operations Director of Lafarge Gypsum in Mauritius, this change shall make the construction professionals’ work easier. It starts from the architect, the Project Manager, the contractor, the bricklayers and, most of all, the client. In fact, his house shall be delivered quicker and with the opportunity of achieving cost savings.
The different benefits of the system are:
• Savings achievements of 20-30% on the constructions costs
• Installations without major ground works
• The reduction of material waste
• Eco-friendly products
• Thermal and acoustic isolation
• Professional and esthetic interior finish
• A more flexible system, allowing further extensions
• No need for excavations works
How does this new system work? It stars with the architect. The plans established by him will serve as data for the informatics system which will be processed by a specialized program to generate the metallic structure’s pieces which will constitute the construction’s basis. Once assembled, this backbone will be covered with the different Lafarge Gypsum ‘placo-plâtres’ products in order to give the required finish to the house. The house’s interior will also be detailed by using the client’s précised recommendations. The result: a refined esthetic, a solid construction with less waste, at least possible cost in less required time…
Mr. Raji Valayden and his team will have the challenge to introduce the Lafarge Gypsum system in Mauritius and to implement the necessary strategy. “Whether it is for professionals and specialized contractors or the re-sellers who will work with the public, we have already finalized our operation’s mode main points”, Said Mr. Valayden. The product will be available through the professional construction contractors and to the individual throughout houses specialized in interior design.
One year ago, Lafarge Gypsum implemented a “train the trainer” program in collaboration with the IVTS in order to provide the young workforce with the necessary knowledge to implement this new system through a new formation unit called ‘Ceiling and Partitioning.’ “We wanted to create new job possibilities for youngsters and to propose a re-orientation for actual carpenters in order to expand their horizons.” States Mr Raji Valayden
To be noted that the Lafarge Gypsum products is made of ‘placo-plâtres’ leaves, false ceilings, flush doors (fire-proof and acoustic), partitions, cornices etc., which are integral parts of this new system, being already available through the actual contractors’ network. The commercial banks and other RES/IRS promoters used this system in the past.
