PORTLAND GROUP: Building the Western Cape’s Foundations Through Innovation and Resilience

The construction industry in South Africa emerged at the close of 2025 as the country’s standout job creator, adding 130,000 positions in the third quarter of the year despite structural headwinds; accounting for nearly half of all new jobs, this safely underscores the industry’s strong rebound and economic significance.

Large infrastructure projects such as roads, ports and rail are all key pillars sustaining demand; indeed, public works and infrastructure minister Dean Macpherson went as far as to describe South Africa as, “becoming a construction site,” as the industry continues to create thousands of jobs despite a rising unemployment rate.

Analysts now project a return to positive growth for the sector from this year onwards, of anywhere up to 4%, as budget allocations and targeted investment in renewable energy, industrial infrastructure and commercial construction all act as key growth drivers.

SOLID FOUNDATIONS

Based in Durbanville, on the outskirts of Cape Town, Portland Group is a family-operated business rooted in local markets, and increasingly serving broader regional development trends. “Founded in 1988, we are a leading supplier of aggregates, readymix concrete and hollowcore slabs,” sets out Portland Group.

Nearly four decades ago, Nico Heyns and Helenus Scholtz founded Portland Bouers, originally focusing on the residential construction market in South Africa. “Their dedication led to a solid foundation,” Portland Group shares, as the business steadily built a reputation for quality and service, laying the groundwork for future diversification.

At the turn of the century, the group made a bold strategic leap by acquiring a 65-hectare quarry at Vissershok Road in Durbanville, harbouring valuable Malmesbury Hornfels deposits with applications in high-quality crushed stone products. Having undergone significant improvements including new offices and crushers, the site became the headquarters for Portland Group’s quarrying, concrete batching, and precast divisions.

Further expansion came in 2001 in the form of Portland Group’s first ready-mix concrete plants and broadening its transport fleet, proving a critical step in supporting larger construction projects beyond housing. In 2008, the company then introduced a precast Hollowcore division, installing advanced technology from Finland’s Elematic to manufacture prestressed concrete slabs for both commercial and residential structures.

This investment and continual drive for growth and progress has enabled Portland Group has to continue to grow its footprint over the decades, now operating quarries and readymix facilities in Saldanha Bay, Paarl, Worcester, and Malmesbury (Paardeberg), strategic responses to regional demand and resource availability.

Three principal pillars form the basis of Portland Group’s operations. The company produces a range of crushed stone aggregates and related raw materials essential to concrete and construction applications. The quality and cubical shape of its crushed stone, and particularly that gleaned from Malmesbury Hornfels, are critical for strong, durable concrete. 

Multiple ready-mix concrete plants are capable of producing diverse concrete mixes tailored to large infrastructure, commercial developments, and residential projects. These products are tested for strength, workability, and consistency to meet the varying specifications of modern construction sites throughout the Western Cape. “Our products are supported by our extensive expertise and stringent quality control measures, ensuring exceptional strength and durability,” the Group adds.

Portland’s Hollowcore division, its third key arm, manufactures prestressed hollowcore concrete slabs, offering speed of installation and cost-efficiency and making them a competitive alternative to traditional cast-in-place concrete. The company is also now expanding into precast preslabs for high-rise and multi-storey developments, addressing needs for fast, durable construction solutions.

“Our comprehensive service covers everything from design and production to installation, ensuring a seamless and efficient process,” the company beams.

WESTERN CAPE CONSTRUCTION

Portland Group’s strong regional focus sees it prioritise service and responsiveness within the Western Cape, a market which has been shaped by strong construction activity including residential growth, infrastructure projects, and urban development, all of which is a real boon for demand in concrete and aggregate materials.  

“It’s an open market and highly competitive, therefore it’s vital we keep up-to-date with what’s happening in the market across all areas of our business,” assessed Portland Group GM Martin Mostert in Cape Business News. “We are a hands-on operation and know our clients’ needs, working smarter and better to remain competitive.

“At our new granite Paardeberg quarry,” said Mostert at the time, “we have also started mining our own sand and I believe it will be one of the best in Cape Town. Quality of sand influences finishing for instance when it comes to plastering.”  The ability to spot, and capitalise on, the growth in this sector, and knowing when to invest and maintaining close client relationships, to navigate competition, has stood Portland in perfect stead to be at the forefront of the construction boom in the region. 

Among Portland Group’s most significant recent contributions has been in the supply of crushed stone aggregate for the long-awaited Vissershok Road upgrade, a major, multi-year civil works project near Durbanville involving a bypass and two bridges, reflecting the group’s role not simply in building materials, but also in foundational infrastructure supply. Portland Hollowcore has also been actively delivering precast concrete panels and slabs for large-scale housing and commercial projects, with a major focus has been on social housing developments, where Portland’s precast panels are being produced at high capacity to meet demand.

Continued infrastructure spending, efficient supply chain operations and further integration of precast concrete solutions in mainstream construction, a key segment gaining traction as developers seek quicker and more cost-effective building methods, will all position Portland Group head and shoulders above the rest in its core regional markets.

“Our main focus is delivering consistent quality in our products and services while continuously enhancing client satisfaction,” the Group stresses. “Our goal is to be the preferred supplier in our regions and the leading provider of aggregates, ready-mix concrete, and precast hollow core slabs in the Western Cape.”