Construction World April 2015

EQUIPMENT

2015 off to a FLYING START

Yusheng Zhang, CEO of FAW Vehicle Manufacturers SA, says: “FAW continues its trendsetting path in local truck manufacture. Not only FAW Vehicle Manufacturers SA has started the new year with another milestone added to its already remarkable track record. The truck manufacturer has officially started up its own Body Shop facility, adjacent to the Coega-based Assembly Plant, in order to build its own truck bodies. >

the viability of producing drop-side bodies for their range of robust and durable vehi- cles spanning the medium, heavy and extra- heavy commercial vehicle ranges on offer in Southern Africa. Other bodies, such as mixer drums, may also be assessed and consid- ered in the future. The layout of the Truck Body-building facility has been designed in accordance with environmental recommendations and standards. The build and logistics flow is highly efficient and cost-effective. The 3 300 m 3 building is well equipped with abundant ventilation, natural light and wide aisle space. Once an SKD pack is

have we managed to produce our FAW trucks at the best quality levels, comparable to our FAW parent company in China – but we’ve been able to do so in a very short run-in period for a plant that only came on stream six months ago. Nowwe are also building our first tipper bodies from SKD packs imported from our parent plant in China.” While the first FAW ‘full-bodied’ tippers roll off the assembly plant and body shop, the production team is already assessing

and finished through the impressive Paint Shop, and parked in the Drying and Final Inspection lanes. FAW Vehicle Manufacturers SA is one of few local OEMS to have built a large-scale Truck Body-building Shop, together with an appropriate Paint Shop Facility on this magnitude. It is equipped using the latest and best global technology for long-lasting truck body paint and finish. At present the company projects that it will build approximately 100 tipper bodies in the first quarter 2015. It will progressively expand its truck body offering to possibly include other configurations, even customised trailers, depending on demand from FAW customers through the FAW dealer network. “We have experienced a positive response from numerous of our long- standing customers who have indicated that they prefer a complete vehicle direct from FAW SA. Besides the cost advantages, the warranty and maintenance of their FAW vehicle are also simplified,” says Zhang. The first-phase of the Coega plant, covering 103 000 m 2 of land and a 28 000 m 2 plant – complete with training facilities, allows the com- pany to provide its extensive client base with a sense of pride and patri- otismby ‘buying local’. The plant will eventually ramp-up to produce 5 000 trucks per annum, supplying trucks to the region, in both right-hand and left-hand-drive derivatives. Plans in place estimate that 40% of produc- tion will be destined for the South African territories, while 60% will be exported.

off-loaded it is thorough- ly checked for component quality. The bulk of the pack, namely the bin, is checked for preparation to the assembly line. Other components, once checked, are moved to the ‘in-sequence’ stations where their fitment will take place – these include all hydraulics, lift arms and shafts. Once the tipper body is carefully fitted, the completed vehicle is prepared for the Paint Shop. With the all the required hydraulics and the body fitment complete the FAW vehicle is primed, painted

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD APRIL 2015