Following the well-publicised acquisition of Technical Finishes (TFSA) by Saint-Gobain Construction Products South Africa (SGCP), the question arises: Where to from here? In this exclusive interview, Floors spoke to Atisha Gopichund-Lutchman, marketing director in South Africa of Saint-Gobain, and Ian Harrison, managing director of Technical Finishes, to find out more. 

Strategic vision 

Overall, the strategic vision behind acquiring TFSA as part of the SGCP “Grow & Impact” plan is centred on driving growth, expanding market reach, enhancing customer value, fostering innovation and advancing sustainability goals within the construction industry. 

“By integrating the TFSA flooring business into SGCP operations, we aim to strengthen our competitive position and make a positive impact on the world through sustainable construction solutions,” says Gopichund-Lutchman. 

Business as usual 

With more than 30 years of proudly South African flooring experience, TFSA is the leading manufacturer of specialist epoxy and polyurethane flooring systems and will continue to successfully operate within the key flooring segment. 

Future adjustments will be aimed at leveraging SGCP’s resources, technologies, market insights and collaborative opportunities. “In this way, TFSA can accelerate its innovation efforts to improve product offerings and maintain competitiveness in a dynamic construction industry,” confirms Harrison. 

Synergistic opportunities  

Atisha Gopichund-Lutchman, marketing director in South Africa of Saint-Gobain.

Gopichund-Lutchman explains that the TFSA acquisition will reinforce Saint-Gobain’s profitable growth profile in South Africa and elsewhere on the African continent. This also strengthens the leadership position of Saint-Gobain in flooring solutions. 

The continent’s expanding middleclass and urban population drives demand for residential and commercial spaces, necessitating various flooring solutions. Additionally, infrastructural development projects, such as transportation hubs, commercial complexes and educational institutions, fuel the demand for durable and innovative flooring products. 

Flooring solutions 

Several flooring products, or niches, offer exciting opportunities in Africa, considering the continent’s diverse needs, rapid urbanisation and growing construction industry. TFSA perfectly complements SGCP’s existing offering under the Weber and a.b.e. brands, creating significant synergies. 

Some of these opportunities include:  

• Sustainable and eco-friendly flooring. 
• Waterproof and moisture-resistant flooring. 
• Customisable and decorative flooring. 
• Durable and low-maintenance flooring. 
• Cost-effective flooring. 
• Renovation and retrofitting solutions. 
• Cultural and traditional flooring. 
• Safety flooring solutions. 

As a worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain’s integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonisation of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The acquisition of TFSA is an exciting development in the group’s driving purpose of “making the world a better home”. 

Saint-Gobain and Technical Finishes share the way forward and the synergies within the existing construction products brands. 

For more information, contact: 

Saint-Gobain:  

Tel: +27 12 657 2871 

Email: Talk2.Saint-Gobain@saint-gobain.com 

Website: www.saint-gobain-africa.com

Technical Finishes: 

Tel: +27 31 705 7733 / +27 11 822 7242 

Email: infokzn@technicalfinishes.com  

Website: www.technicalfinishes.com