Our interview with MRC Group’s Richard Polling offers a distinctly South African perspective on succeeding in a challenging market. As he says, “Africa’s the place of opportunity.”
For Richard, Co-Founder and Group Director of MRC Group, success has demanded tenacity, creativity, and a readiness to adapt quickly. His company’s relationship with MiTek has brought together two like-minded businesses that continue to thrive in tough conditions.
Fine-tuning the perfect market fit
When Richard arrived from the UK in 2012, his goal wasn’t to immerse himself in the construction sector. Instead, he came with mining in mind. As he puts it:
“Africa is the place of opportunity. While it can be as dynamic and unpredictable as a market, the reality is that there is significant potential for success here, and for those prepared to work hard, the rewards can be substantial.”
“I initially came out as a director of a mining innovation I’d been developing in the UK. Within a few months, it became clear that the local market dynamics weren’t aligned with the solution we had built. That’s when my now-business partner, Marc Ferriman, and I pivoted and began building what would become MRC Group. Drawing on Ferriman’s experience in high end internal fit-outs and Richard’s background in external building systems, the pair identified a gap in the market and moved quickly to establish a foothold in the sector.”
“We launched Metal Roofing Consultants, but soon found the market wasn’t ready for pure consultancy. Metal Roofing Consultants quickly became Metal Roofing and Cladding. Our first major break came with Walmart, delivering non-combustible class A fire-rated insulation upgrades across multiple sites nationwide. For five years, that was our focus. It took us all over the country and gave us a solid platform to build from.”
“From there, the business expanded rapidly, evolving into a specialist contractor delivering complete building envelope solutions, from roofing and cladding to waterproofing, coatings, fire protection systems, and internal interfaces.
“What started as a focused service offering has grown into a fully integrated approach to the building skin. That evolution is what’s enabled us to scale into more complex, high value projects.”
Today, MRC Group stands as a fully integrated building envelope specialist, delivering across both external and internal systems.
Standing apart from the competition
Years of resilience and indomitable entrepreneurial spirit put MRC Group on the map. But next came the challenge of standing out in a crowded market. As Richard explains, he wasn’t interested in a race to the bottom:
“In many contracting models, the process involves receiving a package containing a bill of quantities, a specification, and architect’s drawings, and responding with a quote that focuses purely on price.
“We chose a different path. MRC has built its reputation as a trusted partner, recognised for delivering consistently high-quality outcomes. We remain hands-on throughout every project, with dedicated project managers and site agents actively overseeing work to ensure the best possible standards are achieved.
“To deliver the most effective solutions, we have adopted a design and build approach, collaborating closely with architects who provide a set of drawings, and offering expert guidance on how to realise them to the highest standards of quality and efficiency. We’ve become a nominated or selected contractor; looking after local resources and suppliers, upskilling people.
“We’ve got over 100 people working for us, and they’re the most skilled in the industry. We’re more than happy to take responsibility and share risk.
“A lot of competitors get a 15 or 20-year guarantee on products but offer their clients maybe two or five years. We give the full 15–20-year workmanship warranty. It’s a hallmark of our approach as a professional, accountable contractor and trusted partner.”
This commitment to quality and accountability provided the perfect foundation for collaboration with MiTek.
MRC Group and MiTek: Partnership built on values
MRC Group has already partnered with MiTek on two projects; Cashbuild HQ in Johannesburg and Stadio Durbanville. Our two companies are a natural fit in terms of ethos and business outlook. But at first, Richard wondered if we were too similar:
“MiTek have always been very well known to us. Their name was being thrown around all the time in the Steel Awards back in the day. My initial impression was of a company positioned at the premium end of the market, well regarded for their commitment to high quality — much like us.
“When you’ve got two premium businesses in the mix, it can cause budget concerns. But their design and build lead, struck me as a true solution provider rather than a seller, which resonated with our own way of working. So, I said ok, here’s two jobs.
“We were looking for something with some capabilities of span and that’s where MiTek sit in my opinion, when you want some muscle and capacity in there.
“We did the 3D visualisation, sat down with Brian many times, went through the details. Ticked all our boxes. It’s going very well. Components take about two minutes to put up on site, quick to install and it’s all sturdy.”
MiTek is proud to be helping MRC Group solidify their spot at the top of their game. By partnering with the right people who share the same ethos, amazing things become possible.
Strong markets of focus
With the right approach formulated, we asked which sectors MRC are enjoying the most success in. Richard was eager to highlight solar as an encouraging example:
“Solar is a big strong sector. Everyone wants a solar panel on a roof, but if your panel has a 20-year guarantee you’d better have a roof system that’s going to last 20 years. We call this solar preparation; making sure the steel is strong enough for solar. Making sure your roof sheet is watertight and protected from corrosion.
“We’re also big in the data centre space. When Google wants to build a data centre here, they want to build it the same as they did in the northern hemisphere. But Africa’s different. We plug that gap, that disconnect.”
“Refurbishment is also massive. Many are wary of refurbishments, as drawings don’t always reflect how a building was constructed. We address this by carrying out a lot of 3D building scans, BIM, all those good things.”
Of course, the challenges never fully go away even once you’re on the right track. Richard is no stranger to the unexpected. He once had to delay a job for months when they found a dinosaur buried on site!
A partnership built on quality and integrity
Richard’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Under his leadership, MRC Group has evolved from a niche roofing consultancy into a multifaceted construction partner trusted by some of the biggest names in the market.
The shared values between MRC and MiTek — quality, innovation, and integrity — have formed the basis of a relationship that not only delivers exceptional results today but promises even greater achievements in the future.
Talk to MiTek about finding creative solutions to your own most pressing problems. We’re eager to help, and our people are only a phone call away.
