16 / 44
CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS
OCTOBER 2016
14
For 90 years, Caterpillar machines have helped build critical infrastructure projects throughout Africa.
To further boost its dealer footprint, as well
as providing critical skills training for the
long-term growth of its business in Africa,
Caterpillar, together with its independent
dealers and the Caterpillar Foundation,
has announced plans to invest a massive
$1-billion into African countries in the next
five years.
The announcement, made by Caterpillar
Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman, recon-
firms Caterpillar’s long-term commitment to
the continent and is intended to provide a
major upgrade in customer service capabili-
ties – including enhanced parts distribution
capacity, new state-of-the-art Certified Re-
build Centres, new dealer branch locations,
the expansion of Caterpillar’s Technicians
for Africa online skills development pro-
gramme and millions of dollars to support
programmes that lift people out of poverty.
With approximately 15 000 Caterpillar and
Cat dealer employees in Africa, Caterpillar
already has a significant footprint in a
market it deems important and growing.
“Caterpillar’s investment will increase that
footprint, while simultaneously boosting
the infrastructure development and skills
training capabilities necessary in African
countries for them to continue their rise in
global competitiveness,” the company says.
“For 90 years, Caterpillar machines have
helped build critical infrastructure projects
throughout Africa. Today, we bring not only
construction machinery to the continent, but
also traditional and renewable power gener-
ation solutions, diesel-electric locomotives,
marine engines and mining equipment,” says
Oberhelman. “With today’s announcement,
we are proudly confirming our plan to make
a long-term investment to help build, devel-
op and power communities, and serve as an
education and training partner to broaden
and strengthen local workforce talent and
expertise.”
b
Wacker Neuson has launched its new
ML440 Light Tower, said to be a game
changer with its range of innovative
features. According to Wacker Neuson’s
product specialist, Rainer Schmidt, the
new ML440 Light Tower will be a boon
for work-after-dark job sites. It is ideal
for construction sites, municipal road
maintenance, commercial landscaping,
emergency services and events, to mention
a few.
Elaborating on the quality and area size
of the lighting delivered by the ML440 Light
Tower, Schmidt says that the special pulse-
start metal halide lamps not only provide
exceptional luminance but also ensures
extended lamp life compared to probe-
start counterparts. “Furthermore, the lights’
rectangular shape provides a wider lighting
coverage of 403 msq at 54 lux, and the lamps
can be turned individually to better focus the
light where required.”
A highlight of the ML440 Light Tower is
that it is equipped with Wacker Neuson’s
heavy-duty MG5 jobsite generator. “This
provides our customers with the convenience
of a two-in-one solution, as the generator can
be used separately for other purposes when
the light tower is not in operation,” explains
Schmidt. “For customers who already own
compatible generators, we can also supply
the ML440 without the generator.”
b
WACKER NEUSON’S
ML440 LIGHTS INTO THE
MARKET
CONSTRUCTION NEWS
Side stabilisers ensure stability in high wind
conditions and the solid polyurethane wheels
offer the benefit of no punctures on site.
WHY CHEAPER IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST OPTION
With the South African economy strug-
gling to grow and many companies tight-
ening their budgets, it is very easy for
businesses to fall into the trap of choos-
ing price over quality when making pur-
chasing decisions.
On the surface, cheaper equipment may
offer most of the features and benefits
that the more expensive models offer,
without the steep price tag. Sometimes
the transaction is even termed a great
bargain, whereby the buyer believes he
got more value than what he paid for.
“But is it a bargain? Or are we sometimes
unknowingly deferring the full payment,
costing the business more in the longer-
term? When it comes to practical
equipment have you ever wondered
why one option is so much cheaper than
another?” asks Rhys Evans, managing
director of ALCO-Safe.
Evans says it is a well-known fact that
substance abuse related accidents cost
companies hundreds of thousands of
Rands every year. “We can look at some-
thing simple like a breathalyser. Why
does one brand with similar features cost
significantly less than another brand,”
he says. “Build quality and the quality of
materials used is one reason, but what
CATERPILLAR INVESTS $1-BILLION TO BOOST AFRICAN
FOOTPRINT AND SKILLS