Capital Equipment News August 2016

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS

AUGUST 2016

TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS

LOCAL TRUCK SALES CONSTRAINED,

exports into Africa increase

SOMERFORD EQUIPMENT

supplies bespoke road marking vehicles

outh Africa’s commercial vehicle indus-

try is still facing some tough challenges

at the halfway mark of 2016. With the

industry’s growth closely linked to the coun-

try’s macroeconomic trends, it is following a

similarly uphill road to recovery.

According to the latest results released by the

National Association of Automobile Manufac-

turers of South Africa (Naamsa), Associated

Motor Holdings (AMH) and Amalgamated Au-

tomobile Distributors (AAD), new truck sales

remain constrained. A total of 13 046 trucks

and buses were sold during the first half of

2016, a 9,3% decline compared to the corre-

sponding period in 2015.

However, according to Gert Swanepoel, act-

ing Vice President of UD Trucks Southern

Africa, certain segments are showing some

improvement. “Over the past six months,

bus sales managed a 4,6% growth year-

on-year to 480 units, which is mostly due to

the fulfilment of some key government ten-

der orders,” said Swanepoel. “Sales in the

Heavy Commercial Vehicle segment are also

almost back on par with 2015’s half-yearly

results, showing only a slight 0,8% decline

to 2 319 units.”

Meanwhile, the Medium Commercial Vehicle

(MCV) segment is down by 19% to 3 948

units, while Extra Heavy Commercial Vehicles

(EHCV) showed a decline of 6,7% to 5 898

units on a year-to-date basis.

Many of the economy’s industry sectors, in-

cluding agriculture, mining and quarrying

have recorded steep contractions this year,

and this, combined with low business confi-

dence and GDP figures, has had an adverse

effect especially on the investment-heavy

EHCV segment. On the bright side for local

truck manufacturers, there is a lower Rand/

Dollar exchange rate and a renewed focus on

exports into Africa. Local truck manufacturers

have sold 601 units outside of South Africa’s

borders thus far in 2016 – an increase of

76,2% year-on-year.

“As is the case with UD Trucks, manufacturers

are investing in the development of their deal-

er networks along the major trade corridors

within the region,” said Swanepoel. “The re-

sult is increased support and accredited tech-

nical assistance for fleet owners who operate

across borders in Southern Africa.”

With 20 different brands reporting into Naam-

sa, competition is also rife for new vehicle

sales business. “For potential truck buyers,

the decision mainly comes down to which

product offer the best value and efficiency per

kilometre, as well as the quality of aftermar-

ket support provided by the manufacturer and

dealer,” explained Swanepoel.

Gert Swanepoel, acting vice president of UD Trucks

Southern Africa.

omerford Equipment, the UK’s leading

manufacturer of road marking and road

surfacing vehicles and equipment, has

supplied Iraq with two bespoke road mark-

ing vehicles. Developed in collaboration with

the Iraq Government’s UK-based agent, the

Somerford SEV600 MultiMark vehicles are

self-supporting and fully equipped for the

application of pressurised thermoplastic road

marking materials formulated to withstand the

country’s high temperatures.

According to Michael Oakes, General Manag-

er of Somerford Equipment: “This important

contract consolidates Somerford’s position

as one of the leading global providers of spe-

cialised road marking and surfacing solutions

designed to meet the individual requirements

of clients operating around the world.”

Built on a Volvo chassis, each single sided

road marking vehicle incorporates all equip-

ment required for thermoplastic application,

eliminating the need for separate support

teams and vehicles. Equipment includes the

efficient, self-feeding Solo sprayplastic appli-

cator which allows single or multiple line ap-

plication at 5-16 kph in widths of 5-50 cm.

Pattern generation is fully computer controlled

and machine operation is monitored from an

onboard operator station to ensure that mark-

ings are consistently applied to the highest

quality standards.

The contract was fulfilled in short timescales

with the provision of a complete customer

support package including training, operator

manuals, maintenance and ongoing technical

backup.