AGRA RECIEVES HUGE DEVELOPMENT IN LAFRENZ
Published: 19 May 2015

The new development of Agra in Lafrenz in the northern outskirts of Windhoek was handed over to Agra by Namibia Construction on Tuesday, 19 May, three years after pen was first put to paper by Axel Dainat Architects and one year and nine months after the groundbreaking ceremony. 

At the handover ceremony, Agra’s CEO, Peter Kazmaier expressed various emotions besides being overwhelmed at what was achieved in approximately 416 working days, from standing on a huge, empty plot of more than 25 000m² to the finishing of buildings with floor space of 8 325m² and paved area of more than 17 000m². 

“We are grateful, excited, proud, satisfied, happy and optimistic,” he said. “Grateful for a country that offers peace and stability, creating trust and confidence to invest; that there wasn’t any serious accidents or injuries during the construction period and for the good relationship with the service providers throughout the project: the main contractor, Namibia Construction; the professional teams SCE Consulting Engineers, Axel Dainat Architects, Dawn Adams Quantity Surveyors and all the sub-contractors. 

Kazmaier further said that Agra is excited about the opportunities that are inherent in this new development which can now be exploited and the difference it can make to their business and the communities they serve as well as the 150 employees who will be part of this flagship branch team and who have the opportunity to develop their careers at Agra. 

“We are proud that Agra has consistently grown over the last couple of years to such an extent that a development and investment of this magnitude has become feasible and necessary to deliver the excellent service our clients have become accustomed to. Agra has also supported and grown our Namibian economy by contracting Namibian businesses to share in the growth by providing resources,” said Kazmaier 

The facilities will contain a new Agra retail branch with floor space of 3 250m², a bulk store of 2 617m² and the Agra retail and wholesale offices. The first external tenant adding to the services of the Agra centre is Bean Juice Coffee Shop, who is already busy to fix up and furnish the coffee shop. 

Kazmaier said the team is optimistic that this project is a significant step in Agra’s achievement of their purpose of creating prosperity and improving the quality of life, not only for Agra, but for everyone connected to this project, and also for their customers, by ensuring that the Investment will result in better, faster and more efficient service to all. 

He said: “I am optimistic that on every one of the 8 325m² where we will leave tracks every day, each and every employee will live Agra’s values of ‘Let’s talk - excellent communication; breakthrough outcomes; growing people; caring for the environment; all of us serve’ and ‘we do the right thing right.’” 

“Key handover ceremonies are a suitable climax to an associated relationship – one that continues even far beyond the handover of keys,” said Axel Dainat, architect of the project and added: “I believe that this development plays an important role for the vision, stability and prosperity of Agra as a whole” He also thanked Agra, Seelenbinder Consulting Engineers, Dawn Adams Quantity Surveyors; Namibia Construction and the rated sub-contractors “whose tireless efforts as a team resulted in the successful completion of the project.” Karl-Heinz Schulz of Namibia Construction, in his message to the group, emphasized that a good team effort and a cooperative client contributed to the success of the project. He wished Agra good business and happy clientele as he said about the facilities: “We have finished our work now; these excellent facilities are now in your hands to continue with your commitment to render good service.”

All the speakers wished the Agra divisions the best of luck for the hard work that lays ahead, especially the retail and wholesale teams who have to prepare the huge Agra retail store and evenly huge bulk store to be ready for the soft opening on 20 July 2015. 
The official opening ceremony of the development is scheduled for 19 August 2015. 

Kazmaier’s words of encouragement to the team were: “We have been through a number of successful upgrades and one new Agra branch the past few years, but this is a challenge of a different kind. The Agra management and board are confident that with our dynamic teams of employees we have in place, we will once again provide our customers with an excellent service, a comprehensive range of products in an exciting shopping environment.”