Company PROFILE

Company History

DPA Specialist Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd is a leading specialist engineering establishment operating in the field of construction materials, corrosion engineering, and protective coatings. Founded in 1981 and originally established as a consultancy rooted in coatings and corrosion control, DPA expanded significantly following the 1992 acquisition of Eric Duligal & Associates, one of South Africa’s pioneering corrosion consultancies. This strategic growth, combined with the partnership of Derek Penhall, a renowned Forensic & Materials Engineer, positioned DPA as a trusted authority in both local and international markets. The company brings together over four decades of deep technical expertise and practical experience in addressing complex challenges in structural durability, waterproofing, and concrete remediation. 

Our practice is built on a strong foundation of hands-on industry experience. Original founder, Patrick Draper, previously served as Chief Chemist at ABE and founded Prostruct (now part of the Stoncor Group), while Eric Duligal brought 40 years of expertise including 11 years in specification writing at the South African Bureau of Standards. Derek Penhall, formerly National Technical Manager at Sika SA, further reinforced DPA’s specialist capability in forensic investigations, materials diagnostics, and repair methodologies. 

Today, DPA offers a comprehensive suite of turnkey contracting and consultancy services, with a specialist focus on: 

  • Concrete rehabilitation and structural repair
  • Waterproofing systems including membranes and elastomeric coatings
  • Protective coatings for corrosion prevention
  • Failure analysis and forensic engineering
  • Specification development and project oversight

Our core multidisciplinary team comprises uniquely qualified professionals that are highly skilled in various areas comprising  Civil & structural engineering, laboratory Technology, Concrete Technology, Coatings, Draughting, Project Management, Quantity Surveying and turnkey contracting. DPA operates under the Total Quality Management framework. This collaborative and quality-driven approach ensures technically sound, durable, and cost-effective solutions for our clients across infrastructure, industrial, commercial, and marine sectors. 

Backed by decades of experience and a commitment to continuous improvement, DPA Specialist Consulting Engineers remains at the forefront of specialist services in the field of corrosion control and construction materials technology. 

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