Considering the stone shortage that periodically affects infrastructural projects and construction, local oil and gas service provision company Excel Guyana Inc hopes that its Duraflex cement compound will fill that void as it offers a product of better durability and lower cost.
“We had meetings with [the ministries] of public works, agriculture and other large companies here about usage of the product… It is an addition to cement, a compound which creates cement that is stronger and durable. By having this, you have a replacement for stone and aggregate… and it can reduce the cost of a project by up to 30%,” Chief Executive Officer of Excel Guyana Kris Sammy told the Stabroek News in an interview.
“The key feature is no stone or aggregate is needed , big cost savings.
Only cement and native soil . It’s an additive to mix with the cement, forms a hexagonal bond , more compact and solid No cracking and stays this way for centuries,” he added.
Excel was one of the local companies which participated in the recently concluded oil and gas summit, during which it inked a franchise distribution deal for exclusive distributorship, covering Guyana and Suriname, with the Canadian company.
Sammy explained that his company had given samples to companies in the oil and gas sector and that Excel Guyana should soon be receiving feedback on interests.
In the first quarter of last year, there was a countrywide cement and stone shortage. Government had attributed this to an infrastructural and construction boom that has seen high demand for the items since the gradual reopening of the economy that had experienced a slowdown due to COVID-19.
The shortage for products used in construction continued and with the capital projects at an all-time high here, forecasts show that there could be additional aggregate shortages.
Sammy noted that Duraflex Solutions, is a Canadian innovator, designated as Cleantech Best Accepted Construction Method by the Government of Canada, and can provide a modern and alternate material for stone.
Excel’s website states, “Duraflex is compliant with the International Climate Change Infrastructure protocols for Green Construction Materials. These protocols are considered to be the Gold Standards in environmentally sustainable construction as articulated in the Kyoto Accord. Duraflex Solutions exports Duraflex globally as a Best in Class product. Duraflex, a patent-pending product, was designed for soil stabilization and concrete modification. Duraflex changes the way cement hydrates at the molecular level creating crystalline structures within the soil or concrete matrix. These changes create an increase in both compressive and tensile strength. Duraflex closes the capillary action of the treated matrix thereby significantly increasing impermeability to water, acid, hydrocarbons, and chlorides (salt).”
The website quoted Sammy as saying, “Duraflex is a proven product and will allow contractors to deliver quality construction projects including roads, sea defences, canals, shore-base facilities and jetties without being constrained by the lack of stone aggregate currently facing Guyana. Excel is proud to support this quality Canadian product in Guyana.”
It added, “As a soil stabilizer, Duraflex is ideally suited for road construction in Guyana. When Duraflex is used, the in-situ materials mixed with cement and the Duraflex admixture become a monolithic road base. There is no need for aggregates resulting in significant savings in costs and time. DURAFLEX also reduces the carbon footprint created during the construction process.”
Sammy said local companies have to strategize to tap into opportunities and this was what his company did, having been in existence since 2012.
“While the oil and gas sector is driving the explosive growth in our economy, there are opportunities for every Guyanese business owner to expand and prosper into the future. Now is the time to raise local standards in conducting business. We were the first Guyanese company to earn our IMS – Integrated Management Sys-tems certification through the implementation of three ISO systems. Our team is well trained in these international standards and ready to provide seamless support to our international investors,” he said.
Excel, he said, was working to help build this country’s future through strategic partnerships that elevate local and international clients, partners, and the communities that it serves.
“As a 100% Guyanese owned company, our executive team has over 30 years of local experience and a strong network of high-quality, local partners to launch and sustain operations in Guyana. In support to the Local Content Act of 2021 which highlights the need to give top priority to local employment and businesses in the oil and gas industry, Excel and its affiliate companies, Excel Logistics & Management Services (Guyana) Inc and Excel Construction Inc, are fully registered and approved by the Local Content Secretariat…”, he highlighted. The companies have received their Local Content Certificates of Registration.
Excel Guyana is a rapidly expanding integrated company that delivers comprehensive solutions to clients and partners.
And believing that thousands of jobs will be opening up over the next two years, Sammy said, the company has positioned itself to provide recruiting and human resources services to help companies develop a diverse and skilled workforce.
“We provide recruiting services, employer of record services, as well as job relocation assistance,” he said.
Excel’s procurement division has also established networks in various countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, and Colombia, India, the United States of America, Mexico, and Venezuela. Sammy said the company is able to direct-source materials for new developments onshore and offshore.
Among the major highlights of its Marine and Offshore Division are “unmatched industry experience and technical competencies, efficient import and general cargo providers, quality ship and rig suppliers, competent project management skills, highly qualified and trained QHSEE personnel, expert organizational leadership and quality management, positive company image and reputation, solid principal support and strong relations among relevant networks, and satisfactory customer engagement and after-sales services,” he added.
