CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NOV 2018

CONSTRUCTION NEWS

Ditch Witch introduces HDD virtual reality simulator

More than 50% of reported underground utility damages are the result of insuf- ficient excavation practices, according to the 2017 DIRT Report. Ditch Witch, a Charles Machine Works Company, has introduced an industry-first Virtual Reality (VR) Simulator to better prepare horizon- tal directional drill (HDD) operators for safe underground construction through cutting-edge training technology. “Our next-generation HDD VR Simu- lator takes training to the next level by allowing operators to familiarise them- Wacker Neuson South Africa is adding value to its light, compact equipment and service portfolio with the introduction of an in- house financing solution to assist customers with the purchase of new, demo and used Wacker Neuson equipment. “The tailor-made financial solution con- firms that our commitment to our customers is not mere lip service,” states Dennis Vietze, MD for Wacker Neuson sub-Sa- haran Africa. “We want our customers to thrive but challenges such as difficulties in securing finance and cash flow can have a negative impact on our and our customers’ business growth. With the addition of the financing portfolio we can confidently posi- tion ourselves as a complete turnkey light, compact equipment and service partner.” Recognising the intricacies surrounding financing, Wacker Neuson elected to partner with a solid, reputable and reliable finance company. “Our customers require straight- An expert panel comprising Coenie Vermaak, chief executive of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC); Bongani Mankewu, execu- tive director of the Infrastructure Research Development Centre and Mesela Nhlapo, CEO of the Railroad Association, discussed ‘Transforming Africa – Africa’s trans- port and logistics infrastructure – The prospective business opportunity’ , on day two of Infrastructure Africa 2018, which took place recently at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Mankewu opened the panel discussion by stating that South Africa should have created a sovereign wealth fund back in 1994 and that not having done so repre- sented a lost opportunity to accelerate infrastructure development in the country. “For us to industrialise, we need to

selves with HDD equipment and experi- ence a realistic jobsite without the poten- tial risks of putting a novice operator in complex environment,” says Greg Wolfe, Ditch Witch director of training. “Com- bined with our comprehensive Certified HDD Training curriculum, the simulator provides operators with the proper train- ing to safely and effectively complete an HDD jobsite project, without the pressure of consequences from mistakes.” As the industry’s first simulator utilising VR technology, it provides both novice forward and dependable financing solutions that will take their businesses forward,” states Vietze. “So we have worked closely with our finance partner to develop a flexible financial solution offering to ensure that we meet customers’ varying needs according to their businesses and budget. I believe we have achieved our objectives,” says Vietze. Wacker Neuson’s financing suite offers qualifying customers a wide range of flexible options to choose from including leasing, rent-to-purchase and rental fleet financing. Leasing offers the financial lee- way necessary for medium to long-term use of equipment. Various lease options enable customers to adapt the leasing agreement to their individual needs, depending on the order situation and market development. Rental-purchase transfers ownership of the rental-purchase equipment to the cus- tomer at the end of the contract period. In addition to retaining liquidity, this financing create demand. There is a relationship of supply and demand in this country, but we are struggling to create the necessary demand,” he said. A key theme for Mankewu was mobilisation of finance. “We are not mobilising our own financing in Africa,” he lamented. “The best mechanisms to finance infrastructure, which leads to industrialisation, are insurance and pension funds. Institutional investments are long term. We can mobilise our own finance by transforming our approach,” he said. Unlike South Africa, most countries in Africa have no facility to collect pension funds. He added that the African Devel- opment Bank had established the Africa Infrastructure Fund, which includes a mechanism to mobilise finance on the

and experienced HDD operators with a 360-degree view of a realistic jobsite – simulating a variety of soil conditions and installation applications so operators can learn how the drill reacts. Through a series of lessons that increase in difficul- ty, operators are evaluated and educated on machine functions, product location, damage prevention, extended bend radius and steering. It emphasises damage prevention by requiring operators to pre- plan, set up equipment correctly and test protective systems. b

Flexible financing solutions from Wacker Neuson

Wacker Neuson’s financing suite offers qualifying customers a wide range of flexible options to choose from.

option provides customers with certainty for future planning. As operators of rental parks have specific requirements for their fleet, Wacker Neuson provides these customers with comprehensive financing support cou- pled with first-class advice. For even greater flexibility, customers also have a choice of balloon or seasonal payments. b

Done right, infrastructure will unlock Africa’s vast potential

African continent. “The private sector has to teach government about the ability to mobilise finance,” he suggested. He believes that infrastructure spend is not an expendi- ture item, but rather an investment item. “Infrastructure must be used to generate revenue for a country.” Nhlapo said several infrastructure opportunities were available in Africa. However, how the country went about accessing them presented it with chal- lenges. She believes businesspeople in South Africa need to change how they do business. “We can’t wait for business to come to us. As a country, region and continent, we need to decide exactly what we want and then invest in achieving that,” she said. b

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS NOVEMBER 2018 36