Limpopo Structures – 22 years of engineering excellence

POLOKWANE – The Limpopo Central Academic Hospital is among the flagship projects currently showcasing the craftsmanship of Limpopo Structures.

With 22 years in the industry, the company has become a household name in steel structures, manufacturing, and transport.

CEO Mark Mockford began his career at Anglo American’s Freegold Division before moving into the private sector.

In April 2003, Mockford and his partner John Phillips opened Limpopo Structures armed with nothing more than a bakkie, a trailer, a few tools and big ideas.

Today, Limpopo Structures employs 40 permanent staff and 80 subcontractors, moving around 200 tons of structural steel monthly.

Their projects range from 4-ton farm sheds to 1 200-ton mega builds.

The company boasts extensive equipment, from plasma profile cutters capable of slicing 8 m lengths of steel, to 150-ton punches, 250-ton bending brakes and hydraulic guillotines. Their welding capacity includes 18 large workshop units, 30 smaller units, and the ability to thread their own hold-down bolts.

Mark’s sons have joined him in the business.

Gerard Mockford (structural steel detailing) leads the drawing office, while Graeme Mockford manages finances and a skilled management team oversees workshop and site operations.

The company also invests in training, with nine students currently doing in-house development.

Recent and current projects, among others, include:

Limpopo Central Academic Hospital

Kopanong Mall in Hammanskraal (recently handed over)

Dzanani Taxi Rank

Bungeni Stadium

G3 Citrus warehouses

Mark is most proud of the human capital the company has built. Some workers have risen from general labourers to subcontractors running their own companies.

“A machine you can buy and sell, but the skills we build will define us,” he says. “We work together as a team, and I am blessed to have a motivated, self-driven staff.”