59 / 76
August 2016
MODERN MINING
61
ELECTRA MINING
AFRICA
A
ccording to Manitou Southern Af-
rica (MSA), a particular focus of its
stand at Electra Mining will be its
aftermarket service and support of-
fering but it will also be exhibiting recent ma-
chine and attachment innovations.
Products on show will include an enhanced
28-ton conveyor belt handler attachment
proven to reduce mine conveyor belt han-
dling time from days to hours and a 16‑ton
tyre handler attachment, representing a 5-ton
improvement on its 11-ton predecessor.
Also featured will be an upgraded Manitou
35-ton tow tractor designed for underground
use but also fully adept in aboveground mining
applications.
MSA handles the Gehl range locally. New
models include the Gehl AL 650 and Gehl
AL 750 articulated loaders with rated operating
capacities of 2 800 and 3 300 kg respectively.
The latter will be showcased at this year’s EMA.
“In addition to developing cost-effective
machinery and equipment, after delivering
the required equipment, standard or custom-
ised, we focus on providing customers with
exceptional aftermarket support,” says Lindsay
Shankland, MD of MSA. “Our aim is to ensure
they get the best value for money through effec-
tive equipment maintenance and support, long
after the original purchase or rental agreement.”
MSA’s service and maintenance contracts
form the bulk of its aftermarket offering, which
is provided 24/7 in line with industry standards
and offered by each of Manitou’s 14 dealerships
countrywide and over border. Elements of the
offering include rapid response for critical
breakdowns with Manitou technicians posi-
tioned to respond within four hours, dependent
on geographic limitations.
A 95 % stockholding of all movable parts
ensures fast turnaround times.
The company’s full maintenance contracts
include all parts, all labour and all travelling
with a guaranteed cost for five years or 12 000
hours.
A recent innovation from the company has
been the establishment of a short-term rental
fleet. This service was launched with 11
machines but the fleet has subsequently grown
to 35 machines. It comprises telehandlers,
access platforms, skid steers and track loaders,
forklifts and rough terrain forklifts.
“Our customer-centric approach with an
increased focus on aftersales service and after-
market offerings has helped MSA achieve
significant growth,” says Shankland. “We have
outgrown our current premises and the open-
ing of our new premises coincides with Electra
Mining Africa 2016. These premises, compris-
ing 15 000 m² in Chloorkop, Gauteng, are also
tailored to customer service with no less than
4 980 m² dedicated to workshop facilities and a
5 000 m² warehouse to be completed by 2018.
Some of Manitou’s partners will be par-
ticipating on its Electra Mining stand. They
include Jewll Mining for flameproofing; 5DT,
the simulator training and virtual reality
experts; and Dynabolt, working in conjunc-
tion with Manitou to develop roof bolters and
drilling machines.
Aftermarket focus for
Manitou
The Manitou ManiTrax 35-ton tow tractor is designed for underground and confined spaces. It has received various modifica-
tions since it was unveiled at EMA 2014.
“Our customer-
centric approach
with an increased
focus on
aftersales service
and aftermarket
offerings
has helped
MSA achieve
significant
growth.”