Capital Equipment News December 2019

MANUFACTURING

Barloworld Power has expanded the range of Cat generators it manufactures locally.

Expanding local assembly

Having commenced local assembly of Caterpillar generators in 2015, initially assembling the Cati6 and 400 series only, Barloworld Power has expanded the range of models assembled locally to include all Cat gensets within its product suite, from 13 kVA up to 1 500 kVA, writes Munesu Shoko .

O n the back of South Africa’s unstable grid, which has resulted in regular load shedding in recent months, business is turning to alternative energy sources to safeguard productivity and prof- itability. With that in mind, Barloworld Power, the energy and transport division of Barloworld Equipment, has just expanded the range of Caterpillar gensets assembled locally at its Boksburg facility. The initiative gives southern African customers access to a premium Caterpillar product at a competitive price point. Prior to 2015, all Cat gensets sold in southern Africa were imported from either the United Sates or China. In 2015, a decision was taken to assemble some of the models locally – the Cati6 and 400 series. As an extension of this initiative, Barloworld Power will now locally assemble all Cat gensets available within its product suite. “Previously, we assembled some limited models. With the new venture, we are now doing models from a 13 kVA unit ideal for household usage to a large 1 500 kVA genset suited for industrial applications,” says Louis Botha of Barloworld Power. “We have already started, but it will take a year before all the models are introduced in South Africa.” Eric Hermann, product manager – Electric Power Retail at Caterpillar, says the project is a result of great cooperation between Caterpillar and Barloworld. “Barloworld Power initiated the project, and several leaders from both companies worked closely for the successful implementation of this venture,” says Hermann.

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