Construction World June 2019

Coming OUT TOPS Msuthu Projects, a 100% black-owned engineering services company, says FAW trucks are comparatively the best trucks around. T he Durban-based company, which is owned by Themba Mthethwa, is an accredited provider of electrical and civil engineering services. Among many other projects, the company has completed work for the Department of Transport, Eskom and several municipalities in KwaZulu- Natal and is involved in road, pavement and building construction. It also supplies and delivers timber to its customers. Mthetwa attributes much of the company’s success to FAW trucks and the sales team at the FAW Pinetown branch. Msuthu Projects currently owns three FAW 28.280FD tippers and one five- tonne FAW 8.140FL, with the latter model used to transport livestock on a daily basis. FAW Pinetown arranged the fitment of the trailer for this vehicle, thanks to its relationship with Pinetown Truck Bodies. "I was looking for a few trucks and was comparing prices,” explains Mthetwa. “I did a survey of sorts on the trucks and the different truck brands that were available. After comparing the configurations, performance and fuel consumption ratings, I discovered that FAW was a lot cheaper than the rest,” he motivates. Mthetwa says that FAW’s affordability meant that he could buy brand new trucks instead of used vehicles. “I'm not expecting to have any issues with them. So far, performance and fuel consumption

have been good. I am happy.” “For me, FAW is accessible,” he adds. “One of the factors that made my relationship with FAW so solid was how the FAW Pinetown dealership and Paul Nothnagel, in particular, took care of everything. Paul went all out to help me. He is one of the best salesmen that I have ever dealt with. And he didn't forget about me once the deal was done – we are friends now.” He says business is good at the moment. “I've got some new contracts coming this year, including with the South African Post Office, where I'll need more FAW trucks.” Mthetwa says he has spent around R3-million on FAW trucks at the Pinetown dealership. “So I expect a high level of commitment from them. I will definitely buy more FAW trucks in the future, because the company is growing in South Africa. I am getting more work to do and there is no need for me to change loyalties,” he states. 

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD JUNE 2019