SPOTLIGHT: Petro Redelinghuys, ACO Systems Marketing and Business Development Manager
In Celebration of Women’s Month, we highlight the remarkable journey of a woman who transitioned from a career plan in tourism to making significant strides in the construction industry. Her story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of pursuing one’s passion, even when it leads to unexpected fields.
" I can do anything I put my mind to "
From Otis elevators to driving innovations at ACO Systems South Africa, her career is a dynamic example of how diverse experiences can culminate in impactful contributions to the built environment.
Can you share your journey into the construction industry and what inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
Growing up, I am sure a lot of females dreamt of becoming an air stewardess, travel the world, the magic of seeing the world, or becoming a teacher, helping children and making a difference.
My mother was a teacher and growing up I learnt so much from the resilient woman she is, she has had her fair share of tribulations however she taught me my values of grit and determination, she has shown me that life can throw anything it wants at you, it is your perception and how you decide to deal with these situations that will make the difference.
I can do anything I put my mind to. So, imagine my surprise, when after studying Tourism years ago, I found myself far away from it, embedded in the construction industry for more than 6 years. I started at one of the world’s biggest elevator and escalator companies, entering a brand-new industry I knew nothing about, and working my way to ACO Systems South Africa.
A company that truly understands the importance of water and pushes for the preservation thereof but equally protecting people from water and water from people, offering solutions for life. Water is such an important resource and literally is life, and this makes me even more excited for my future, our children’s future. I believe the importance of the construction industry is cardinal for the world to expand, it is such a versatile industry and this is why I love working in this field. It is a dynamic and fast-paced world, it feeds my passion to find solutions for problems and there is never a dull moment in my day to day work. New challenges that pop up everywhere, tight deadlines that makes me push even harder.
It keeps me on my toes, drives me to think outside the box. What inspired me to change careers into this field is the value I feel I can add everyday. It is definitely not monotonous, which is the reason it suits me so very well indeed. Construction is extremely vast, and there is a great demand for various fields of input. Whatever I attempt, I want to make a difference, and that is key for me, this industry allows me to do just that.
What have been some of your most significant achievements or projects that you are particularly proud of in your career?
I think overall it is a great journey to see projects going from an idea that gets captured on a technical drawing to a physical brick and mortar transformation, it is exciting to see the different phases.
Being part of the project journey from the start to finish inspires me to push my knowledge further. Pulling a bunny out of the hat gives me great satisfaction because it means I get challenged every day and I get to help people. I am proud to be a part of ACO, because we make a difference.
Every project we get involved in gives me a sense of achievement, and I cannot single out certain projects, each one in its own right, no matter how big or small makes me happy. One product I am particularly taken with is our unique and patented plastic geocellular stormwater management system for infiltration, retention and reuse of rainwater – Stormbrixx – take a look by following this link : ACO Stormbrixx (buildingdrainage.aco) . Although this amazing product has been installed in various places across the world, it has been a great accomplishment for the first StormBrixx model in South Africa that will be installed in Cape Town this year, the opportunities are endless and reaching sustainability targets are more in reach than ever.
Further to this, since the Munich Olympic Games in 1972, ACO Sport systems have been installed in Olympic stadia all over the world. Other products that also make me proud are our hygienic drainage that get installed in major Food and Beverage facilities, and water separation solutions which are especially important to me for rural developments and schools in outlying areas. It always feels good to me to be part of these types of projects, it resonates with me, that we do make a difference, everyday.
What unique challenges have you faced as a woman in the construction industry, and how have you overcome them?
Construction is seen as a male dominated industry, and in a sense, it is a true statement, however, there are areas of this industry that aren't male dominated.
I think the mindset is still very indoctrinated to believe that only men can thrive in this industry, it is truly the mindset challenge that I find difficult to break. The the only way to overcome this bias is to show up and prove the mindset wrong.
I remember a story of a woman who qualified as a forklift driver, and the corridor talk that patronised her achievement, only for her to become one of the best forklift operators in the company. Persistence and knowledge are key. Knowing your product, knowing the industry and being able to portray your knowledge in a discussion on a project is how I have overcome the challenge of this mindset.
By application you can prove that knowledge is the key to understanding problems, finding solutions and being successful in your collaboration. You have to be persistent and not let negativity bring you down or mute your voice. Your statement matters as much as another individual, and if you know what you are talking about, you have to speak up, and diplomatically bring across the point of discussion and solution
" A bit of assertiveness, combined with tenacity and knowledge is the best ammunition "
How do you see the role of women evolving in the construction industry, and what changes would you like to see to support more women in this field?
We are already living in a time when biases are being dismantled. There are numerous areas for women to enter the construction industry, these opportunities need to be opened by decision makers in businesses, allowing women to prove themselves.
I would like to see this supported far more aggressively from management in companies, allowing the cultivation of an environment of acceptance and opportunity for women. We tend to be perfectionists, more likely to double check our own work and follow processes with more attention to detail.
What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in construction or other traditionally male-dominated industries
It is important to understand the industry you want to move into, understand the culture and work yourself into the area of expertise you want to see yourself excel in.
Ask questions, ask what you need to do to accomplish your end goal and have discussions with all different levels of the business to understand their expectation of you.
Empower yourself by learning, studying and increasing your knowledge of the field you are wanting to go into. Take advantage of free online courses and be open to challenges.
Look for a mentor and support within the business that can teach you and guide you.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and put yourself out there, most importantly don’t give up.
You have two choices; fail and walk away or fail and try again and again until you walk with your head held high.
" Opportunities are always surrounding you, it is up to you to take the leap "
Her journey underscores the importance of perseverance and the value of breaking industry stereotypes. By challenging conventional expectations and embracing opportunities, she has not only achieved personal success but also contributed meaningfully to sustainable solutions in construction.
Her advice to young women is clear: embrace challenges, continually learn, and persist with determination. As we celebrate Women’s Month, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the remarkable impact women can make across all sectors, including those traditionally dominated by men.
A special thanks to Petro Redelinghuys (LinkedIn) for your insight and inspiration, www.aco.co.za
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