Construction World November 2015

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This is according to Paul Rogers,
sales director from Manitowoc
responsible for English-speaking
Africa, who says that the OEM recognised
that a two-tier approach was needed to
assist customers across the region. “We are
well aware that the construction sector
varies from continent to continent as well
as from country to country, and not all
markets have the level of maturity to justify
premium features on materials handling
equipment,” he says.
“There is a definite requirement to
cater for both the global blue chip western
companies that are constructing in Africa as
well as the emerging contractors, and this
is why the Potain range offers a the choice
between a premium product and a value
product,” Rogers says.
Many Potain users are large international
companies who see merit in purchasing a
premium product that will offer extended
life and has numerous integral features that
will enhance the operation of the crane and
make maintenance a whole lot simpler.
“This is not, however, possible for all
companies and with the growth of the
smaller contractor sector in Africa there
arose the need to make cost competitive
materials handling solutions available,”
Rogers says.
Another issue which underpins this need
is that with the logistical challenges in some
parts of Africa tower cranes might actually
be installed on a site and will ‘die’ there.
Over 60 models of Potain tower cranes
are produced in plants in France, Germany,
Italy, Portugal and China. The value product
is produced in Asia and offers users
optimum reliability.
EQUIPMENT
VALUE
PRODUCT
FOR AFRICA
Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) need to remain
nimble and stay close to their markets to ensure that the
equipment being produced is fit-for-purpose and that while
meeting the operational needs of customers it is also affordable.
Potain tower cranes are produced in plants in
France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and China.
Potain offers both a premium product for the global blue chip western companies that are
constructing in Africa as well as a value product for the emerging contractors.
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