FEATURE
THE MURRAY & ROBERTS GROUP 120 YEARS OF ENGINEERING AND CONTRACTING EXCELLENCE A MONUMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT
In 1902, or 120 years ago, fellow Scotsmen, John Murray and James Stewart, formed Murray & Stewart. In the
1920s, Douglas Murray, John Murray’s son, met Andrew and Douglas Roberts while studying civil engineering
at Wits University, inadvertently founding the partnership that would eventually culminate in the formation of
the global engineering and contracting Group we know today.
From our humble beginnings in 1902 as an emerging
house builder in the Cape Colony, Murray & Roberts over
the years expanded throughout Southern Africa, across
industry sectors and into international markets, pioneering
the introduction of new technologies, methodologies and
materials in the process.
For its first 75 years, the Company developed under the
leadership of its founding families. Douglas Murray inherited
Murray & Stewart from his father John in 1928 and cofounded
The Roberts Construction Co. in 1934 with his
friend and colleague Douglas Roberts. They were later joined
by Andrew Roberts, whereafter the three entrepreneurs
played a leadership role in the formal development of the
South African construction and engineering industry.
The Roberts Construction Company converted to a public
company in 1948 and listed on the JSE Limited in 1951.
Murray & Roberts was formed in 1967 following its merger
with Murray & Stewart, but the two companies continued
to operate as separate businesses until all operations fully
consolidated in 1979.
For 120 years, Murray & Roberts played a leading role in
the socio-economic development of many domestic and
international geographies, participating in some of the
world’s leading engineering and construction projects. We
essentially engineer and construct infrastructures that serve
as monuments, as the infrastructures are there for the benefit of
human development for decades to come. These monumental,
and in some cases iconic projects, deliver potable water, reliable
electricity, essential commodities, transport infrastructure and other
‘real economy’ utilities on which the modern world depends.
“The Group’s R60 billion order book and record near orders
of circa R60 billion include high-profile multinational
projects, key to meeting energy and infrastructure needs. ”
Today, the Group’s Purpose is to support the advancement of
sustainable human development and we do this by designing
and delivering projects across the engineering and construction
value chain, providing lasting socio-economic and environmental
value for local communities and host countries. These outcomes
include Zero Harm for all our stakeholders, being an employer and
contractor of choice, an industry leader in environmental, social
and governance performance and delivering on our aspirations
of maximum value recognition.
When looking in the Group’s rear-view mirror, one cannot help but
proudly reflect on the legacy we have created to date, but we also
look forward to the promise of our excellent prospects across our
substantial global footprint.
Over several years of market instability, Murray & Roberts has
demonstrated an ability to deliver on our long-term strategy.
As the world emerges from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,
the emphasis on infrastructure-led economic growth and the
decarbonisation of the global economy, holds significant longterm
opportunity for the Group. Notwithstanding challenges in the
industry, our R60 billion order book and record near orders of circa
R60 billion include high-profile multinational projects, key to meeting
the delivery of countries’ energy and infrastructure needs.
Murray & Roberts enjoys a strategic position to enable fixed capital
investments that support the advancement of sustainable human
development. Staying true to this Purpose and our philosophy of
Engineered Excellence, is how we intend to leverage this position
for growth.
I am looking forward to seeing the Group flourish for years to come
and the monuments yet to be built.
