Capital Equipment News May 2018

COMPACT WHEEL LOADERS

for example, the railway engine export deal to Brazil. Scania boasts more than 1 900 service workshops across the world, available 365 days a year, thus ensuring high uptime and greater operating economy for customers. Uptime is a word of honour at Scania. The unique Scania modular concept with shared components and systems for all of its engines means higher parts availability, minimised waste and easy servicing for a single technician. In addition, a full 500 hours between oil changes and maintenance boosts uptime even further. Higher uptime equals better business, and ultimately, greater operating economy for customers. “We have a special understanding of the industry and we are well aware that uptime is a very important factor for our engine customers. With our strong sub- Saharan African footprint, we are able to keep the engines running in all corners of the region,” says Louw. Louw adds that a 95% parts stock availability is among the best parts support benchmarks in the industry. “This availability translates into tangible customer benefits. Proximity to service and rapid access to parts are very crucial in this line of business,” says Louw. Optimistic outlook Despite the slow market conditions, both Lyon and Louw are positive about the short to medium-term outlook of the local engine business. “We are very positive. The infrastructure shortcomings tend to drive our engine business” says Louw. “For example, power shortages are a real issue to contend with across the region and we are positioned to offer reliable power generation engine solutions. With water shortages across many areas of the region, due to recent drought conditions in areas such as the Western Cape, we have also seen an increase in demand for water pumping engines.” Lyon is positive that the Engine division will maintain steady growth in 2018, especially considering the current positive political situation in the country, which, to some extent, has ushered in the much-needed business confidence. He is, however, wary of the volatile local currency, which he feels may erode all the possible gains from the better business confidence. “A key focus area for Scania SA Engines division is to further grow our market share, through a very strong, globally renowned product, complemented by unmatched aftersales support capabilities from a very wide dealer network,” concludes Lyons. b

There are 24 Scania engine models available for the local power generation market. Power ratings start at 250 kVA up to 800 kVA for the diesel-powered range.

This is complemented by a gas engine range recently introduced locally last year. “We also have a small range of gas engines we introduced recently, with power ratings from 350 kVA to 460 kVA. There is a big move towards gas-powered engines, and as part of our total solutions approach, we have engines that speak directly to that very need,” says Louw, adding that there are three models available in the gas power generation range. The Scania Marine engine range starts at 220 hp, up to 1 200 hp. “Our Marine engines range goes up to 1 200 hp to accommodate the fishing industry,” says Lyon. There are 16 models available for the local market, though the range is much bigger than that for the global market, says Louw. This is complemented by a Marine gen set engine range with power ratings from 250 kVA to 600 kVA. Dedication is key A new, dedicated divisional structure for the Engines business in southern Africa implemented at the start of 2017, complemented by a capable management team boasting a combined total of 35 years of experience in this market segment, are also paying dividends. Last year, Lyons, who has a wealth of institutional knowledge at Scania SA, was appointed general manager of the newly- created dedicated Engines Division, in a role that he is closely supported by Cape Town-based Louw, who is the manager for Industrial and Marine Engines. Louw has been involved with Scania SA’s engine business for the past 20 years, since its inception locally. He is in charge of the sub-Saharan market at large. “2017 was the year I took over to strategise the Engines Division’s

trajectory, with particular focus on the Marine side of the business. The biggest achievement to date has been the signing of a partnership with a well-known marine OEM to supply and deliver engines and aftersales solutions to the marine industry,” says Lyon. “One of the other areas of attention was stock holding. The key initiative in that regard was to source and keep and right engines for the right applications.” Speaking of some recent flagship deals, Louw says Scania has recently supplied engines to some large export-based projects, which is proof of fruition of the growth initiatives put in place. “We have recently clinched a deal with a large, local railway company to supply engines for an export project into Brazil. This is a very positive development for us, as we seek to cast our net wider into export markets,” says Louw. Apart from sub-Saharan Africa, Scania SA’s Engines Division is also responsible for the islands of Madagascar and Mauritius. In one of the flagship deals, Louw tells Capital Equipment News that the engine maker recently clinched a deal to supply engines to one of the remotest volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, Tristan da Cunha. “We recently supplied our power generation engines for the island’s power station,” says Louw. Driving uptime A good product is only as good as its service. This is one of Scania’s very strong points. The Engine Division benefits from Scania’s wide service network across the region. The global Scania network also makes it possible for Scania SA to easily service and support its export engines,

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