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69

CONSTRUCTION WORLD

SEPTEMBER

2015

EQUIPMENT

The recently published report, Deloitte

on Africa: African Construction Trends

2014, notes that investment by value

of mega projects under construction in Africa

grew by 46,2% in 2014 (from USD222-billion in

2013 to USD326-billion in 2014). Average project

value increased by 84%, fromUSD689-million in

2013 to USD1,27-billion in 2014.

“Power will be one of the continent's biggest

opportunities for the construction industry

in Africa going forward because the ability to

source power comes in many different formats,

all of which present huge opportunities for

the construction industry,” comments Terry

Gillham, Bell Equipment director of sales and

marketing. The development of road infra-

structure is another substantial opportunity for

construction in Africa, he says.

For construction players, quality equipment

is integral for the success of these projects.

“The right choice of the right equipment is

very important because a contractor doesn't

want to be going into any major construction

project in Africa in particular, with incorrect or

inferior equipment,” says Gillham. “It must be

good, reliable equipment that is well supported

by a company with the ability to service that

equipment because of the remote locations of

these projects,” he adds.

“Customers are looking for durability and

equipment that works well and performs under

stress – this is critical in all African countries,”

comments Riccardo Balma, Africa marketing

manager at CNH Industrial Construction Equip-

ment, one of the exhibitors at BAUMA CONEXPO

AFRICA 2015.

Investment in technological advancements

is another pertinent factor for equipment

suppliers. “Research and development (R&D)

is very important for all equipment suppliers,

particularly those servicing the mining and

construction sectors, not only to retain their

place in the market, but to continue meeting the

needs of their customers, whose requirements

are constantly evolving to tackle the new and

interesting challenges that come with working

in Africa,” says Crewe.

“Today the construction industry focuses

on latest technology developments and CNH

Industrial Construction Equipment is at the

forefront of the industry.

“After sales service is of great importance

to us and this is why we offer extended

warranty coverage and a wide range of main-

tenance plans that can be customized with

the dealer. Dealers play a key role to build this

customer satisfaction.

CNH Industrial construction equipment focuses

not only on technology to improve equipment

performance,” says Balma, “but also on keeping

equipment as cost effective as possible. “

“BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA looks forward

to having new technologies and develop-

ments in earth moving equipment on display

in September. An equipment trade fair of this

nature will assist construction players to opti-

mise their operations, and therefore contribute

to the growth and development of the conti-

nent,” says Crewe. “As an African manufacturer

Elaine Crewe, CEO of BAUMA

CONEXPO AFRICA.

FROM PIT TO PROFIT

“With a relatively buoyant outlook, and a number of economies

across the continent experiencing some of the fastest and highest

growth in the world, it is no wonder that current investment in

infrastructure is so significant and growing. This is very good

news for earthmoving equipment companies operating in Africa,”

comments Elaine Crewe, CEO of BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA.

we are proud to be able to showcase our prod-

ucts at an African trade show of this stature,”

concludes Gillham.

Balma says that BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA

2015 offers a big opportunity for CNH Industrial

Construction Equipment as the company has

a strong focus on Africa. “BAUMA CONEXPO

AFRICA provides continent-wide opportunities

for customers tomeet us and our dealer , and we

will be present to showcase the strength of both

our products and our services,” he concludes.

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STRATEGIC ACQUISITION

Isuzu Truck South Africa recently announced the acquisition of

Port Elizabeth based KANU Commercial Body Construction and

Automotive Chassis Technologies (ACT) in a 100% buyout of each

entity, effective from August 2015.

This transaction will see Isuzu Trucks

change frombeing a typical commercial

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)

to an enterprise type of business that has the

capacity to initiate and build products according

to client specifications.

“This acquisition complements our growth

strategy. We believe the acquisition of KANU

and ACT will definitely enhance our current

business structure. The move to acquire these

entities will centralise the process of buying our

trucks where everything will be processed from

one central point of contact,” says Isuzu Truck

South Africa COO, Craig Uren.

The directors of Isuzu Truck South Africa,

with full support of Isuzu Leadership in Japan,

have developed new strategies and plans with

structures in place to lead the business into this

new business cycle.

“Our scope of work and business is no

longer only focused on what leaves the factory

gate. Together with our dealers and supplier

base, Isuzu Truck South Africa will have a more

integrated relationship with current and future

customers in the life of their trucks,” says Uren.

This acquisition also comes with a new

appointment within the business. Current plant

manager, Sipho Sandla will move into a new

role as general manager leading the KANU/

ACT operation in Port Elizabeth, with outgoing

owner of KANU, Tony Wright, staying on in an

advisory capacity for a minimum of 12-months

to ensure a smooth transition. In 1991, Sandla

graduated with a Higher National Diploma

in Mechanical Engineering (B.Tech). To date,

Sandla has been working as an engineer in the

automotive manufacturing sector for over 23

years and has vast experience in all aspects of

the assembly line.

“Isuzu Truck South Africa will continue to

be one of the major contributors in the Eastern

Cape’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We

believe that every truck we sell into the market

possesses an economic opportunity with great

return on investment. The more we sell, the

more economies we create, and with that, the

creation of new job opportunities. South Africa

and the continent at large need greater and

stronger growth for our economies to develop,”

concludes Uren.

Sipho Sandla, new general manager of KANU/

ACT and Craig Uren, COO of Isuzu Truck

South Africa.

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