The Building Company recently brought together hundreds of co-builders, supplier partners and industry leaders for its 2026 Annual Conference and Supplier Awards Dinner, themed Gearing for Growth. Held under the conviction that sustainable success is built by design and not by chance, the day centred on aligning around the company’s growth ambitions, celebrating outstanding performance, and strengthening the partnerships that underpin long-term success.

CEO Steve du Toit opened proceedings by challenging delegates to rethink conventional ideas about growth in an increasingly complex operating environment. “Growth today requires far more than expansion. It demands clarity of purpose, disciplined execution and the ability to adapt faster than the market around us. At The Building Company, we are focused on building a business that is stronger, smarter and more resilient at every level.”

His message was clear and consistent throughout: TBCo is not pursuing growth for its own sake. The focus is on building sustainable value through deliberate choices, consistent execution, and a deep understanding of the communities and customers the business serves.

The conference drew on the African wild dog as a guiding analogy, not the biggest or most powerful animal in the bush, but widely regarded as the most effective hunter. The wild dog succeeds through planning, communication, adaptability, and absolute team commitment. It was a powerful lens through which to examine TBCo’s own approach to competition, customer focus, and market share growth. The Springboks were cited as a parallel example: studying opposition, using analytics, rotating for fresh energy, and executing as a unit.

The conference featured a distinguished line-up of guest speakers whose insights reinforced the day’s focus on leadership, resilience and high performance. Renowned conservationist and survival specialist Quinton Coetzee shared lessons on adaptability, decision-making and thriving under pressure. Former Springbok captain and business leader John Smit reflected on the leadership principles that underpin success in both sport and business. Internationally respected mental performance coach Paddy Upton explored the mindset required to perform consistently in demanding environments. Throughout the day, a common theme emerged: sustainable growth is achieved through preparation, accountability and the collective effort of high-performing teams.

The evening Supplier Awards Dinner recognised the supplier partners whose commitment to innovation, service excellence and collaboration continues to strengthen The Building Company’s ability to serve customers across South Africa. This year’s Excellence Awards were presented to The Catapult Group, Mister Window, Copper Tubing Africa, Eco Tanks, Eureka, Vermont Sales and Eurolux. The evening’s highest honours saw PG Bison named Runner-Up Supplier of the Year, with Steven’s & Co securing Second Runner-Up. Duram received the coveted Supplier of the Year Award, recognised for its exceptional commitment to customer service, operational excellence and partnership throughout the year.

The event concluded with a rugby leadership panel featuring Stefan Terblanche, Corné Krige, Hanyani Shimange, Mark Andrews and Percy Montgomery, who shared perspectives on teamwork, resilience and leadership under pressure.

Closing the day, du Toit brought the conference full circle. “The success we celebrated throughout this conference reinforces an important truth: sustainable growth is never achieved alone. It is built through trusted partnerships, shared accountability and a collective commitment to excellence. Our supplier partners are a critical part of our success story, and together we are building a business that is stronger, more agile and better positioned to create value for our customers and communities in the years ahead.”