LTA Autecon is a recognised industrial company established in the mid-1980s., which consolidated the management structure of four companies: Industrial Electrical Company (Pty) Ltd, Penman and Jochelson (Pty) Ltd, J.C Groenewald (Pty) Ltd and Alpret (Pty) Ltd, to form LTA Autecon in 1985.
As such, LTA Autecon delivered many notable projects in the oil and gas and petrochemical sectors. In 2000, the merger of LTA Construction (including LTA Autecon) and Grinaker led to the formation of Grinaker-LTA, including Mechanical and Electrical, which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aveng Limited. Since then, the Grinaker-LTA Mechanical and Electrical business unit has successfully delivered a wide array of construction projects across Sub-Saharan Africa within the oil and gas and mining resource sectors.
In 2019, the Laula engineering and infrastructure group – a 100% black-owned consortium – acquired 100% of the Grinaker-LTA businesses from Aveng. This consisted of three divisional companies: Grinaker-LTA Civil Engineering, Grinaker-LTA Mechanical and Electrical and Grinaker-LTA Building and Construction. The management of Grinaker-LTA Mechanical and Electrical took the decision to re-establish LTA Autecon in late 2023. The reason for this decision was to gain greater human resource flexibility, which will help with aligning the company’s strategic commitment to growth and development in the industry.
By once again becoming a standalone entity, LTA-Autecon will be able to return to its SMEIPP roots, focusing all its attention on quality, performance and client support under the same leadership and management. This furthermore allows the team to take a dedicated and focused approach to the Structural Mechanical Electrical Instrumentation Piping and Plate work (SMEIPP) environment, for the benefit of clients in the oil and gas, mining and resources, energy and power and manufacturing sectors.
LTA Autecon is now a market leader in SMEIPP construction, providing fabrication, construction, commissioning and maintenance services – as well as electrical and instrumentation – for process plants in the oil and gas, mining and resources sectors.
With a proud heritage spanning over 40 years, LTA Autecon is a B-BBEE level 1 business with ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certification, project managing projects for oil and gas, manufacturing, mining and resources clients – including many ‘blue chip’ companies – throughout the SADC region.
MANAGING DIRECTOR: BHEKI MDLALOSE
With over two decades’ experience in the construction sector, LTA Autecon Managing Director Bhekani Mdlalose is an industry expert in the delivery of major SMEIPP projects, maintenance, shutdowns, turnarounds and, fabrication and manufacturing. Well-known within the SMEIPP sector, with an impressive background in all aspects of construction, Bheki prides himself in developing and maintaining very strong industry and client relationships, and in promoting people development. He has an uncompromising commitment to safety and quality, and has played a major role in pivotal infrastructure projects such as refinery and petrochemical industry shutdowns across sub-Saharan Africa.
GENERAL MANAGER: MARIUS BOTES
As the former Managing Director of two of South Africa’s largest multi-disciplinary construction companies providing structural steel, platework, mechanical, electrical and instrumentation solutions to the mining sector, Marius brings a unique blend of engineering expertise and business acumen to LTA Autecon. Having established and managed his own companies within the SMEIPP sector – and previously leading multiple corporate entities and projects – Marius combines entrepreneurial flair with extensive technical knowledge, to provide innovative solutions for a variety of key industrial sectors.
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER: MARTIN VAN RHEEDE VAN OUDTSHOORN
Martin began his career in the banking industry before taking up various positions within the pulp and paper, freight and logistics sectors and, ultimately, joining the construction sector. His interest in foreign trade was supplemented by time spent in Africa, where he helped open new business divisions. On his return to South Africa, Martin began working within the mechanical engineering and electrical sectors. His combined experience has equipped him to introduce new methodologies and improvements to various processes at LTA Autecon.
This business unit specialises in the construction of mining, steel, iron-making and mineral recovery process plants in Sub-Sahara Africa. It is fully supported by strong teams of experienced SMEIPP professionals who are knowledgeable about the supply chain process, and have a proven track record of delivering high-quality results.
To ensure the success of its projects the metals and minerals business unit utilises proven, customised systems to manage and monitor quality and progress. This includes sequencing and accurately delivering all project materials – from planning to execution.
Industry Expertise
- Structural and plate work detailing, procurement and workshop fabrication
- Piping procurement and fabrication
- Corrosion protection
- Cladding, insulation and site painting
- Gratings and hand railing
- Supply and installation of electrical and instrumentation equipment, cable trays, cabling, tubing
- Transport and logistics
- Mechanical equipment installation
- On-site fabrication for tanks and thickeners
- Testing and commissioning
This business unit has been a foremost SMEIPP player in the South African hydrocarbon industry for several decades – and has been involved with almost every capital project in the sector. As such, it remains the market leader when it comes to the oil and gas sector, providing SMEIPP, turnarounds for shutdowns and maintenance work at refineries – including as a permanent presence while supporting any unplanned shutdown or emergency situations – and specialised teams for capital projects.
These services are supported by in-house pipe fabrication facilities in Secunda, Durban and Cape Town. The oil and gas business unit also provides experienced coded welders, trained specifically for the oil and gas sector, and safety-focused skills which are vital in this high-risk environment. All welding process and procedure-related activities are stringently controlled, and systems are certified to ISO 3834: Part 2.
Industry Expertise
- Structural and plate work detailing, procurement and workshop fabrication
- Piping procurement and fabrication
- Corrosion protection
- Cladding, insulation and site painting
- Gratings and hand railing
- Supply and installation of electrical and instrumentation equipment, cable trays, cabling and tubing
- Transport and logistics
- Mechanical equipment installation
- On-site fabrication of tanks
- Testing and commissioning
Industry sectors served by LTA Autecon include energy and power generation (conventional power plants and renewable energy), mining and resources (metal and minerals), oil and gas; as well as the broader processing and manufacturing sector.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS
LTA Autecon’s current South African locations are in Secunda, Durban and Cape Town. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the company has operations in Rosh Pinah, Namibia and Botswana.
- Head Office – Unit 3, Bedfordview Office Park, 3 Riley Road, Bedfordview
- Secunda – Plot 7, Bosjesspruit, Old Charles Road, Secunda
- Sasolburg – 68 Mars Street, Naledi Industrial Park, Sasolburg
- Durban – 50 Beechgate Crescent, Umbogintwini, eManzimtoti
- Cape Town – Unit 5, 6 Jig Road, Montague Gardens, Cape Town
- Namibia – Skorpion Zinc Site, Rosh Pinah
- Botswana – Plot 465, Extension 4, Gaborone