Capital Equipment News August 2016

TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS

LOCAL TRUCK SALES CONSTRAINED, exports into Africa increase

S outh Africa’s commercial vehicle indus- try is still facing some tough challenges at the halfway mark of 2016. With the industry’s growth closely linked to the coun- try’s macroeconomic trends, it is following a similarly uphill road to recovery. According to the latest results released by the National Association of Automobile Manufac- turers of South Africa (Naamsa), Associated Motor Holdings (AMH) and Amalgamated Au- tomobile Distributors (AAD), new truck sales remain constrained. A total of 13 046 trucks and buses were sold during the first half of 2016, a 9,3% decline compared to the corre- sponding period in 2015. However, according to Gert Swanepoel, act- ing Vice President of UD Trucks Southern Africa, certain segments are showing some improvement. “Over the past six months, bus sales managed a 4,6% growth year- on-year to 480 units, which is mostly due to the fulfilment of some key government ten- der orders,” said Swanepoel. “Sales in the Heavy Commercial Vehicle segment are also almost back on par with 2015’s half-yearly results, showing only a slight 0,8% decline to 2 319 units.” Meanwhile, the Medium Commercial Vehicle (MCV) segment is down by 19% to 3 948 units, while Extra Heavy Commercial Vehicles (EHCV) showed a decline of 6,7% to 5 898 units on a year-to-date basis.

cluding agriculture, mining and quarrying have recorded steep contractions this year, and this, combined with low business confi- dence and GDP figures, has had an adverse effect especially on the investment-heavy EHCV segment. On the bright side for local truck manufacturers, there is a lower Rand/ Dollar exchange rate and a renewed focus on exports into Africa. Local truck manufacturers have sold 601 units outside of South Africa’s borders thus far in 2016 – an increase of 76,2% year-on-year. “As is the case with UD Trucks, manufacturers are investing in the development of their deal- er networks along the major trade corridors within the region,” said Swanepoel. “The re- sult is increased support and accredited tech- nical assistance for fleet owners who operate across borders in Southern Africa.” as one of the leading global providers of spe- cialised road marking and surfacing solutions designed to meet the individual requirements of clients operating around the world.” Built on a Volvo chassis, each single sided road marking vehicle incorporates all equip- ment required for thermoplastic application, eliminating the need for separate support teams and vehicles. Equipment includes the efficient, self-feeding Solo sprayplastic appli- cator which allows single or multiple line ap- plication at 5-16 kph in widths of 5-50 cm. Pattern generation is fully computer controlled and machine operation is monitored from an

Gert Swanepoel, acting vice president of UD Trucks Southern Africa.

With 20 different brands reporting into Naam- sa, competition is also rife for new vehicle sales business. “For potential truck buyers, the decision mainly comes down to which product offer the best value and efficiency per kilometre, as well as the quality of aftermar- ket support provided by the manufacturer and dealer,” explained Swanepoel. b

Many of the economy’s industry sectors, in-

SOMERFORD EQUIPMENT supplies bespoke road marking vehicles

S omerford Equipment, the UK’s leading manufacturer of road marking and road surfacing vehicles and equipment, has supplied Iraq with two bespoke road mark- ing vehicles. Developed in collaboration with the Iraq Government’s UK-based agent, the Somerford SEV600 MultiMark vehicles are self-supporting and fully equipped for the application of pressurised thermoplastic road marking materials formulated to withstand the country’s high temperatures. According to Michael Oakes, General Manag- er of Somerford Equipment: “This important contract consolidates Somerford’s position

onboard operator station to ensure that mark- ings are consistently applied to the highest quality standards. The contract was fulfilled in short timescales with the provision of a complete customer support package including training, operator manuals, maintenance and ongoing technical backup. b

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