# WBHO > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/WBHO > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/WBHO.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WBHO > Source revision: 1326534438 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) South African construction company WBHO Type Public Traded as JSE: WBO ISIN ZAE000009932 Industry Construction Founded 1970; 56 years ago (1970)[1] Founder John Wilson Brian Holmes[1] Headquarters Sandton , South Africa[2] Area served Africa United Kingdom[2] Key people Louwtjie Nel (Chairman Wolfgang Neff (CEO)[3] Charles Henwood (CFO)[4] Services Building construction Civil engineering Roadworks Earthworks[2] Revenue R27.52 billion (2024)[5] Operating income R1.24 billion (2024)[5] Net income R1.04 billion (2024)[5] Total assets R15.36 billion (2024)[5] Total equity R4.67 billion (2024)[5] Number of employees 9,498 (2024)[5] Divisions Building and Civil Engineering Roads and Earthworks Projects Construction Materials[5] Website www.wbho.co.za The [Berg River Dam](/source/Berg_River_Dam) in [Franschhoek](/source/Franschhoek) [Cape Town Stadium](/source/Cape_Town_Stadium) from [Lion's Head](/source/Lion's_Head_(Cape_Town)), [Cape Town](/source/Cape_Town) [King Shaka International Airport](/source/King_Shaka_International_Airport) passenger terminal in [Durban](/source/Durban) **WBHO** (officially **Wilson Bayly Holmes - Ovcon Limited**) is the largest [construction](/source/Construction) company in [South Africa](/source/South_Africa), one of the largest in [Southern Africa](/source/Southern_Africa), and one of South Africa's [largest companies by annual revenue](/source/List_of_largest_companies_in_South_Africa).[1][6] The company focuses mainly on building construction, civil engineering, roads, and earthworks.[2] Founded in 1970, WBHO is headquartered in [Sandton](/source/Sandton), and listed on the [JSE Limited](/source/JSE_Limited). It has operations in 12 countries,[5] throughout [Africa](/source/Africa) and in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom), and employs around 10,000 people.[2] WBHO is a Level 1 [BBBEE](/source/BBBEE) contributor.[1] ## History WBHO was founded in 1970, by John Wilson and Brian Holmes, as Wilson-Holmes (Pty) Ltd. A number of mergers resulted in the name changing first to Wilson Bayly Holmes (Pty) Ltd, and then in 1996 to WBHO Construction.[1] In 2017, the company entered the [UK](/source/United_Kingdom) market after it acquired a stake in the Byrne Group from the Byrne family.[7] WBHO subsequently increased this to a majority shareholding in 2018.[1] Also in 2018, WBHO expanded into northern UK, through the acquisition of a majority shareholding in Russell Construction. Russell-WBHO, as the business is now known, is a [Manchester](/source/Manchester)-based building contractor that continues to be managed by the founding brothers; Gareth and Andrew Russell.[1] In October 2024, it was announced that WBHO's Chairman, Louwtjie Nel, would resign. He had been at the company since 1987. Charles Henwood, who served as WBHO's CFO, will become its new Chair.[8] In March 2025, WBHO stated that it was completing around [R](/source/South_African_rand)2.5 billion worth of work per month.[9] ## Operations WBHO operates across numerous [construction](/source/Construction) and [infrastructure](/source/Infrastructure) maintenance sectors, under a number of brands, including:[1] - WBHO (construction in [South Africa](/source/South_Africa)) - Byrne Bros. (UK [concrete](/source/Concrete) frame contractor) - Ellmer Construction (construction) - O’Keefe ([civil engineering](/source/Civil_engineering)) - Russell WBHO (construction) - Roadspan ([roads](/source/Roads) surfacing in South Africa) - Kalcon (construction, roads, and civil engineering in [Botswana](/source/Botswana)) - Reinforcing & Mesh Solutions (reinforced [steel](/source/Steel) and welded [mesh](/source/Mesh) supplier in [Southern Africa](/source/Southern_Africa)) - VSL Construction Solutions (post-tensioning, retained earth, and heavy lifting works) - iKusasa Rail ([rail track](/source/Rail_track) construction, electrification, and maintenance across Africa) - The Gigajoule Group (investment in, development of, and operation of [clean energy](/source/Clean_energy) projects) The company has offices in [Cape Town](/source/Cape_Town), [Durban](/source/Durban), [Gqeberha](/source/Gqeberha), [Johannesburg](/source/Johannesburg), [Gaborone](/source/Gaborone), [Accra](/source/Accra), and [Maputo](/source/Maputo).[1] The majority of its revenue comes from [Africa](/source/Africa).[5] Its subsidiary, the Byrne Group, has its offices in [London](/source/London), and Russell-WBHO has offices in [Manchester](/source/Manchester).[1] ## Major projects WBHO's flagship projects include:[6][10][11] - [Mall of Africa](/source/Mall_of_Africa) - [Cape Town Stadium](/source/Cape_Town_Stadium) - [Port of Cape Town](/source/Port_of_Cape_Town) container berth deepening and quay refurbishment - [Moses Mabhida Stadium](/source/Moses_Mabhida_Stadium) - [King Shaka International Airport](/source/King_Shaka_International_Airport) - [Berg River Dam](/source/Berg_River_Dam) - [Kathu Solar Park](/source/Kathu_Solar_Park) - Merak 2 and 3 Solar Projects - Karusa and Soetwater Wind Farms - Alice Lane Precinct - [Sasol](/source/Sasol) Fine Ash Dam 6 - [Gauteng](/source/Gauteng) Freeway Improvement Project - [Discovery](/source/Discovery_Limited) headquarters in [Sandton](/source/Sandton) - [PwC](/source/PwC) headquarters (PwC Tower) in [Midrand](/source/Midrand) - Ressano Garcia Gas Power Station - [Mbabane](/source/Mbabane) Bypass in [eSwatini](/source/ESwatini) - [OR Tambo International Airport](/source/OR_Tambo_International_Airport) Central Terminal Building Other WBHO projects include:[5][11] - Oceans Residential North Tower in [uMhlanga](/source/UMhlanga%2C_KwaZulu-Natal) - Upgrading and realignment of the [N3 freeway](/source/N3_(South_Africa)) at the Key Ridge interchange in [KwaZulu-Natal](/source/KwaZulu-Natal), for [SANRAL](/source/SANRAL) - Trilogy Apartments (Lizcobiz) in [Tshwane](/source/Tshwane) - 19 on Loop (Rubik) residential development in [Cape Town](/source/Cape_Town) - JNB 11 Data Center - Steyn City Center - [Pick n Pay](/source/Pick_n_Pay) Inland Distribution Center - [Menlyn Maine](/source/Menlyn_Maine) Central Square in [Pretoria](/source/Pretoria) - [Oceans Mall](/source/Oceans_Mall) in [uMhlanga](/source/UMhlanga%2C_KwaZulu-Natal) ## Corporate social responsibility In support of employee safety, WBHO has established a hierarchy of risk control and a set of actions to support health and safety interventions. High Risk Activity (HRA) champions monitor high risk construction sites. Separate to this, an observation system produces data for WBHO to improve safety procedures in future. All employees and subcontractors sign a WBHO Construction Safety Pledge.[4] The company is a member of the Green Building Council of South Africa. It has stated in annual reports that it is committed to sustainable business practices, and tracks these via an Environmental Management System (EMS).[5] The company supported 72 [bursaries](/source/Bursaries) in 2023, and 50 [bursaries](/source/Bursaries) in 2024, for a combined investment of R16.2 million.[5] WBHO reported in 2024 that it had maintained a Level 1 [BBBEE](/source/BBBEE) rating for 8 consecutive years, and that around 82% of its South African workforce, and 32% of its board of directors, was [black](/source/Black_people). The same report stated that 22% of its workforce, and 25% of its board, was [female](/source/Female).[5] All WBHO timber is reportedly obtained from certified sources. Furthermore, WBHO has installed [solar energy](/source/Solar_energy) systems at numerous of its construction sites, for [environmentally-friendly](/source/Renewable_energy) power generation. It has a net zero goal for 2038. The group is also a founding member and signatory of ConcreteZero, a joint initiative in the market for net zero concrete that is led by Climate Group, in partnership with World GBC.[4] The group tracks environmental data, to ensure it manages the control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH), applies sustainable sourcing and procurement practices, and develops Site Environmental Management Plans that address project-specific risks before commencement. WBHO also tracks construction impact on soil health, land degradation, cultural and historical heritage sites, and conservation areas. WBHO's Akani Broad Based Incentive Share Scheme has a fund that actively supports qualifying employees in the areas of education, health, and housing.[4] ## Awards WBHO has been awarded the PMR Africa Diamond Arrow award for excellence numerous times. The award recognizes the promotion of economic growth and development.[12] In 2015, WBHO came first in the Diamond Arrow Construction Industry category. In the same year, WBHO [Eastern Cape](/source/Eastern_Cape) received the Provincial Survey Business Excellence Diamond Arrow award. WBHO received another Diamond Arrow award in 2017, in the Large Construction Firms category. In 2022, WBHO [KwaZulu Natal](/source/KwaZulu_Natal) received a Diamond Arrow award. In 2023 and 2024, WBHO was awarded the PMR Africa Diamond Arrow award for excellence, placing first in the Construction Company category both times.[5] The company has also won numerous Master Builders Association (MBA) Regional Safety Awards.[4] ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_About_Us_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_About_Us_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_About_Us_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_About_Us_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_About_Us_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_About_Us_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_About_Us_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_About_Us_1-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_About_Us_1-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_About_Us_1-9) ["WBHO - About Us"](https://www.wbho.co.za/about-us/). WBHO. Retrieved 16 June 2025. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WBHO_20224_Bursary_Applications_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WBHO_20224_Bursary_Applications_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-WBHO_20224_Bursary_Applications_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-WBHO_20224_Bursary_Applications_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-WBHO_20224_Bursary_Applications_2-4) ["WBHO 20224 Bursary Applications"](https://www.ufs.ac.za/docs/librariesprovider31/default-document-library/wbho-2024-bursary-applications.pdf?sfvrsn=1c1d2d20_0#:~:text=31%20July%202023-,WBHO%20Construction%20(Pty)%20Ltd%2C%20formed%20in%201970%2C%20is,footprint%20in%20the%20United%20Kingdom) (PDF). WBHO. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Company_Annual_Financial_Statements,_June_2024_3-0)** ["WBHO - Company Annual Financial Statements, June 2024"](https://www.wbho.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/WBHO-Company-AFS-2024.pdf) (PDF). WBHO. September 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2025. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Environmental,_Social,_and_Governance_Report:_2024_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Environmental,_Social,_and_Governance_Report:_2024_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Environmental,_Social,_and_Governance_Report:_2024_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Environmental,_Social,_and_Governance_Report:_2024_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Environmental,_Social,_and_Governance_Report:_2024_4-4) ["WBHO - Environmental, Social, and Governance Report: 2024"](https://www.wbho.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Environmental-Social-and-Governance-Report-2024.pdf) (PDF). WBHO. October 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2025. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Integrated_Report_2024_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Integrated_Report_2024_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Integrated_Report_2024_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Integrated_Report_2024_5-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Integrated_Report_2024_5-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Integrated_Report_2024_5-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Integrated_Report_2024_5-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Integrated_Report_2024_5-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Integrated_Report_2024_5-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Integrated_Report_2024_5-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Integrated_Report_2024_5-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Integrated_Report_2024_5-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Integrated_Report_2024_5-12) [***n***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Integrated_Report_2024_5-13) ["WBHO - Integrated Report 2024"](https://www.wbho.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Integrated-Report-2024.pdf) (PDF). WBHO. November 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2025. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-South_Africa's_biggest_construction_companies_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-South_Africa's_biggest_construction_companies_6-1) Staff Writer (11 February 2022). ["South Africa's biggest construction companies"](https://constructafrica.com/blog/south-africas-biggest-construction-companies). Construct Africa. Retrieved 16 June 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Byrne’s_suitors:_Who_is_South_African_giant_WBHO?_7-0)** James Wilmore (27 June 2017). ["Byrne's suitors: Who is South African giant WBHO?"](https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/byrnes-suitors-who-is-south-african-giant-wbho-27-06-2017/). Construction News. Retrieved 16 June 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Nel_to_retire_as_WBHO_chair,_former_CFO_Henwood_to_succeed_him_8-0)** Marleny Arnoldi (18 October 2024). ["Nel to retire as WBHO chair, former CFO Henwood to succeed him"](https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/nel-to-retire-as-wbho-chair-former-cfo-henwood-to-succeed-him-2024-10-18). Engineering News. Retrieved 17 June 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Cape_Town_hot_spot_for_building_opportunities,_Gauteng_market_softening_–_WBHO_9-0)** Irma Venter (5 March 2025). ["Cape Town hot spot for building opportunities, Gauteng market softening – WBHO"](https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/cape-town-hot-spot-for-building-opportunities-as-gauteng-market-softens-wbho-2025-03-05). Engineering News. Retrieved 17 June 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Top_10_Construction_Companies_in_South_Africa_10-0)** ["Top 10 Construction Companies in South Africa"](https://www.bizfunding.co.za/blog/top-10-construction-companies-in-south-africa). Biz Funding. Retrieved 16 June 2025. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Portfolio_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WBHO_-_Portfolio_11-1) ["WBHO - Portfolio"](https://www.wbho.co.za/portfolio/). WBHO. Retrieved 17 June 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-PMR_Awards_12-0)** ["PMR Awards"](https://www.pmrafrica.com/pmr-awards/). PMR Africa. Retrieved 17 June 2025. --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [WBHO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WBHO) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WBHO?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.