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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
FEBRUARY 2017
39
TRUSTED TO DELIVER
Munesu Shoko (MS): You have taken
the reins as new MD of Babcock’s
Equipment division effective
November 1 2016. What is your
mandate in this role?
David Vaughan (DV):
Babcock’s equipment
business manages the exclusive distribution
and support of leading international
equipment brands in southern Africa. We
represent Volvo Construction Equipment,
Terex Trucks and SDLG on the earthmoving
equipment side of the business. We also
have two very reputable crane brands,
Tadano and Sennebogen, as well as Winget
for concrete handling equipment. I am
responsible for the business as a whole in
southern Africa, including machine sales,
parts and aftermarket support. In this role, I
am in charge of Babcock’s operations in South
Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique,
Zambia, as well as a sub-dealer in Zimbabwe.
MS: What are some of your immediate
goals as you come into this position?
DV:
I have a single goal in mind, and that
is to further drive customer service. To this
end, my first task is to lead the restructuring
of the business in southern Africa in the
first quarter of this year. We will divide
the business into four regions – Northern,
Southern, Eastern and Export. Each region
will have its own regional manager. This is to
offer our customers quicker turnaround times
on service and parts. The structure will also
enhance quick decision-making processes
through direct lines of communication.
MS: What are your key focus markets
this year?
DV:
We see a general recovery in
commodity prices and mining promises to be
a key market this year. The Mpumalanga coal
mining area is a focus area for our business.
We commissioned a state-of-the-art facility
in Middleburg, Mpumalanga, last year to
enhance our support structures for customers
operating in the region. We also see recovery
in pricing for platinum and chrome, and
to this end, hard rock mining areas will be
another key focus for us. Heavy construction
and quarrying have always formed part of our
strategy and we will continue working hard
in these markets.
Aftermarket will remain a major focus
Babcock’s Equipment division manages the exclusive distribution and suppo
of an array of leading international equipment brands in southern Africa. Its
market-leading reputation is spurred by one key attribute: ‘it is trusted to
deliver’. The appointment of David Vaughan, formerly sales director of the
company and a customer-driven executive, as MD of the Equipment business,
signals the company’s solid focus on strong aftermarket support and customer
service. By
Munesu Shoko
PROFILE
David Vaughan has been appointed MD of Babcock's Equipment business.
