Capital Equipment News January 2019

EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT

design innovation and precision; the entire floor is based on a post-tensioned cabling system that makes use of 132 km of steel cable,” says Barclay. Stock processing is undertaken using Komatsu Warehouse Management System and SAP interface. ‘Supermarket’ techniques are employed to keep fast- moving items at eye level to optimise picking cycle times, and subsequently quick delivery times to customers. It currently employs a total of 47 workers, working two shifts a day (8am-4pm and 4-10pm). Training centre The training centre facility, from which the official opening ceremony took place, features a technical, health and safety and operator training dojo focused on meeting employee and customer skills requirements. It also features virtual reality technologies with realistic machine controls for simulated operator training and testing. Blom says the investment in a technical training centre highlights Komatsu’s commitment to skills development, given the skills dearth in the country and southern Africa at large. The centre currently offers 36 courses and has provided training to more than 2 300 people over the past three years. Over the past five years, more than 130 apprentices have gone through the Komatsu apprenticeship programme. As part of its commitment to skills development, Komatsu Africa Holdings also partnered engine, filtration and genset manufacturer, Cummins Africa Middle East, to inaugurate a new Technical Education for Communities (TEC) programme at the Sedibeng TVET College, Sebokeng Campus in southern Gauteng. Through the partnership, Cummins and Komatsu have enhanced the standard education platform to help develop a market-relevant curriculum, teacher training and career guidance, and also provide much-needed practical experience for students. The TEC programme forms part of a global initiative that targets the technical skills gap in South Africa through local vocational education programmes. It is the realisation of an agreement signed by Gino Butera, vice-president and MD, Cummins Africa Middle East, and Mike Blom, MD, Komatsu Africa Holdings in October 2017. The latest TEC programme was launched on 21 May 2018 during a

“The development clearly reflects our confidence in South Africa and its future. It serves as the launching pad to meet our objective of growth through innovation. It will also enable us to render support in the much- needed expansion of the local economy through the seamless supply of equipment to the mining, construction and utilities markets.”

Mike Blom, MD of Komatsu Africa Holdings

“Africa, and South Africa in particular, have become an integral part of our global business. South Africa is not only our biggest yellow metal equipment market on the continent, but also the base from which our operations in nine separate countries across southern Africa are driven.”

Tetsuji Ohashi, CEO and president of Komatsu Ltd

“I am glad to learn that remanufacturing is part of Komatsu’s core business in South Africa and quite a number of components they use include locally-manufactured ones. We are hoping that in future they will be able to manufacture locally.”

Dr Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry

hoping that in future they will be able to manufacture locally.” Parts distribution centre The parts distribution centre (PDC) is a massive 21 000 m² facility, 23% larger than the previous premises. It carries an inventory of about 40 000 line items valued at R885-million. According to Jean Barclay, senior manager – national warehousing and logistics at Komatsu South Africa, the PDC distributes 12 000 pieces to more than 40 destinations across southern Africa. It feeds branches and depots in Namibia (seven), Botswana (seven), Zambia (three),

Mozambique (two), and South Africa (32), catering for Komatsu customers operating in Botswana, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The PDC is said to have the largest floor without a joint in the country, and rises 14 m from floor to eaves. However, it is currently being stocked up to 7 m. As a result, semi-automated turrets operating within the warehouse can retrieve items from the highest access points with an unprecedented degree of accuracy and safety. “The warehouse floor is an example of excellence in engineering

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JANUARY 2019 10