Our History

DSE Structural Engineers & Contractors has been operating in South Africa for over 100 years.  Starting in South Africa in 1903, this original Dorman Long Company was the largest engineering enterprise in the country.  Supplying steelwork mainly for the mining industry.

After much growth, name changes and mergers, Dorman Long (Africa) Ltd. was formed in January 1953.  Expansion continued, unabated, with activities expanding into railway rolling stock, ship repair and diesel-electric locomotives, not to mention structural steelwork for six new power stations, Boeing 747 aircraft hangars, steel framework for multi-storey buildings, bus bodies, motor vehicle components and pressings and steel bridges.

1st October 1972 saw the amalgamation of Dorman Long (Africa) Ltd. and Vanderbijl Engineering Corporation Limited (Vanenco) to form Dorman Long Vanderbijl Corporation Limited. (Dorbyl).  The group was considered the strongest and best equipped in the Southern hemisphere, in steel, engineering and fabrication.

Early 1980 saw the formation of Dorbyl Structural Engineering (Pty) Ltd. (DSE) which was formed to integrate and rationalise the various similar operations in the structural division of Dorbyl.

DSE focused on the design, fabrication and erection of structural steelwork and platework for power stations, mining projects and steel framed pre-engineered buildings (PEB’s).  DSE also had a Structural Products Division which specialised in the manufacture and erection of high and medium mast lighting, pressed steel and wine glass water storage tanks and conventional roof and side cladding.

LTA Limited acquired Dorbyl Structural Engineering from Dorbyl Limited on 1st July 1996, as part of their strategy to include a major structural company in their portfolio.

A new logo and name, “DSE Structural Engineers and Contractors” was formed.

On the 21st December 2000, LTA and Grinaker were merged to form Grinaker-LTA Ltd.

Aveng, the holding company, was also successfully listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange during the year 2000.

Grinaker-LTA Limited changed its name to Aveng (Africa) Ltd. on 24th October 2006.

DSE Structural Engineers and Contractors is a division of Aveng (Africa) Ltd. and form part of the Grinaker-LTA M & E (Mechanical and Electrical) Business Unit.

Aveng (Africa) Ltd. is 75% owned by the Aveng Group and 25% by the Tiso group led BEE Consortium.

During August 2006 the Construction Division of DSE was moved to the Grinaker-LTA Mechanical & Electrical Business unit and DSE became responsible for the fabrication painting and delivery of structural steelwork and platework.

DSE takes on a new managing director, Kobus Marais in November 2006, while Kobus de Beer moves into retirement.

End of 2007 sees DSE with a new logo and plans in place for increasing fabrication capacity. 

28th January 2010 is the official opening of the expanded and upgraded fabrication facilities in Vanderbijlpark of DSE Structural Engineers & Contractors.