HBS Consulting Engineers was started in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1986 as Huff Smith and Associates by Robert Huff, who remains as the current Managing Director. At that time it specialized in the design of Civil and Structural Engineering Projects.

From the outset HBS Consulting Engineers has embraced the ethos to introduce value engineering into all their projects and to deliver the most cost effective designs. 30 years ago this approach was novel and hugely successful for HBS Consulting Engineers and consequently we were repeatedly awarded with some of the largest building and civil infrastructure projects of that period.

Over these 30 years HBS Consulting Engineers has developed a culture where we enjoy partnering with clients to work as an enthusiastic team to provide new and appropriate engineering solutions to developments throughout Africa.

HBS Consulting Engineers offers design, implementation and construction management services to commercial, industrial, mining, hospitality, education and energy sectors. The Company has offices in South Africa with associated offices in 15 African Countries.

HBS Consulting Engineers grew rapidly to over 150 personnel and in 1987 was joined by Tony Border to form Huff Border Smith & Associates. Tony Border headed up the Civil Infrastructure Division which over the years designed and supervised the construction of over 40 000 residential stands with associated bulk services exceeding ZAR750 million or USD $75 million at that time.

After 30 years HBS Consulting Engineers is well established as a brand in South Africa and Africa.

Over this period from 1988 HBS Consulting Engineers has successfully completed some of the most prestigious building and infrastructure projects which are summarised as follows:-
 

• Over 750 000m² of retail development

• Over 1,000,000m² of industrial / warehouse development

• Over 300 000m² of offices, educational and medical development including many iconic buildings.

• Over 40 000 serviced residential stands

• Over ZAR750 million or USD $75 million on bulk services - sewerage, water, main roads

• Major bridges, road-over-road, rail-over-road, road-over-river : ZAR250 million or USD $35 million.

• Over 20 tourist and environmental projects.