In an epic display of pursuing reinvention with their pioneering technology, Macsteel did the nation proud when they broke a world record to become the new Guinness World Records title holder for the longest roof span covered by a single metal corrugated sheet. The sheet spans 280 metres, across the widest part of the roof covering the new Pick n Pay flagship distribution centre in Kempton Park, Gauteng.

“We are thrilled to be officially recognised as a Guinness World Records title holder. That said ‘Pursuing Reinvention’ is about more than setting a world record for us, it’s about taking our customers on the journey with us and finding innovative ways to grow our business while enabling our customers to keep their businesses thriving, especially in such a trying economic climate,” said Mike Benfield, Macsteel CEO.

In an epic display of pursuing reinvention with their pioneering technology, Macsteel did the nation proud when they broke a world record to become the new Guinness World Records title holder for the longest roof span covered by a single metal corrugated sheet. The sheet spans 280 metres, across the widest part of the roof covering the new Pick n Pay flagship distribution centre in Kempton Park, Gauteng

Sky Forming is a unique Novotexi 440 installation solution

“To ensure sustainability remains a key focus in both a global and South African context, we’ve primed innovation as one of our key strategic pillars. We’re focused on contributing to the recovery of the steel industry and but more importantly ensuring the resilience and agility of our business as we focus on pursuing more cost-effective solutions to assist our customers,” added Benfield.

“Macsteel product solutions are developed for customers with the same vigour and consideration as Macsteel adopts in ‘Pursuing Reinvention’. It’s about understanding what the market needs, recognising and creating a fit for purpose solution that benefits our customers. This is what we did with the development of the Macsteel roofing product Novotexi 440 and the Sky Forming technology that is used to install it,” said Benfield.

The pioneering technology, which enabled Macsteel to achieve their status of Guinness World Records title holder, is their revolutionary roofing product NovotexI 440, roll-formed onsite, using their industry-leading Sky Forming process. It would have been much harder to break the world record without pairing these two Macsteel innovations. Novotexi 440 was developed by Macsteel to resist high winds and other engineering challenges faced on large-scale roofing projects.

Macsteel’s roofing product Novotexi 440 and the Sky Forming technology that is used to install it

The roof structure is considered to be the longest continuous roofing panel in the world – 165 716m² of roof sheeting will be used to cover the dry goods, perishables, RRU and the main office

Sky Forming is a unique Novotexi 440 installation solution, streamlining the roofing of mega-build projects. As the name suggests, it is a ground-breaking process where the roll-forming container producing the Novotexi 440 sheet, is lifted to the level of the roof so that they can seamlessly apply their product, at height and at speed. The Sky Forming process, developed to meet the rigorous safety requirements of the Department of Labour, enables Macsteel to offer a differentiated service to stakeholders in the construction sector.

“Our customers are the heart of everything we do and we understand the importance of establishing customer partnerships in the early stages of a project. This enables us to provide strategic support, from design to installation with cost-effective steel solutions for both temporary and permanent structures,” concluded Benfield.

Construction at the Pick n Pay distribution centre at Eastport Logistics Park is well underway and is set to be completed in Q1 of 2023.

Some of the impressive stats for this development include:

– The gross building area (GBA) is 164 000m², which equates to 16 rugby fields
– The post-tension concrete floor will measure 146 886m² once construction is complete
– The roof structure is considered to be the longest continuous roofing panel in the world – 165 716m² of roof sheeting will be used to cover the dry goods, perishables, RRU and the main office
– 3 664 tons of structural steel will be used across the site
– The external concrete hardstands (light duty, heavy duty and ramps) will total 147 088m²
– The dock pits will have 242 dock levellers across dry goods, perishables and RRU
– The dividing wall will use 800m³ of concrete and will measure 207.5m long and 26.5m high
– 4 700 light fittings will be installed across the site
– 203 000m of cables, trunking, data baskets and wiring will be used
– Tilt up panels/concrete walls will total 2 251m³ (for dry goods, RRU and perishables)
– The total GLA for the entire Eastport Logistic Park is 500, 000m²