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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
JANUARY 2017
30
POWERING
SOUTHERN AFRICAN
GROWTH STRATEGY
Munesu Shoko (MS): Effective 1
September 2016, you took over as the
new managing director of Cummins
Southern Africa. What are your
immediate plans?
Thierry Pimi (TP):
My immediate goal is
to quickly understand the landscape and
the environment, as well as getting familiar
with the Cummins Southern Africa team. I
am very fortunate to have inherited a world-
class team. I would also like to meet some
of our key customers, as well as under-
standing the country, especially issues such
as the regulatory framework. In a nutshell,
I would like to quickly understand what the
dynamics are internally in our company, but
also externally as far as stakeholders, such
as customers and suppliers, are concerned.
MS: You are in charge of the distribution
side of the business and have taken over
when aftermarket is a key focus area
for the company. Just how important is
distribution for Cummins?
TP:
Distribution is fundamental for
Cummins. We build these big engines
intended to work for long durations. The
only way these engines can perform for
the expected duration and even beyond is
when there is provision of good aftermarket
support. So, that’s where the distribution
comes into play. We build and sell a solid
and reliable product but on the ground when
this product is operating, the reliability and
performance can only be realised through
strong aftermarket assistance. This is
done through capable technicians, parts
availability, easy flow of processes and
everything else the customer may need to
optimise the operation of their engines.
Aftermarket is critical. In fact, our
distribution segment is one of the largest
global business units within Cummins. It is the
second largest entity within Cummins. So, this
shows how important distribution is, not only
in southern Africa, but globally for us.
Good strategy is one thing, but execution is quite another. Based on that
understanding, Cummins has appointed Thierry Pimi, a proven strategy
executor with vast experience across power generation, manufacturing and
mining industries, as the MD of Cummins Southern Africa. Backed by a proven
track record in his previous senior management roles, he is undoubtedly the
ideal candidate to drive Cummins Southern Africa’s ambitious growth plans
across the region. Munesu Shoko gets to grips with his winning ways and
outlook of the business.
Scan QR code to watch
the interview
Munesu Shoko, Editor of CEN (left), with Thiery Pimi, newly
-appointed MD of Cummins Southern Africa.