Construction World April 2021

SCANIA’SZEROCOSTOF MAINTENANCEBOOSTSPROFITABILITY South Africa’s construction industry is adjusting to a new normal as the effects of the COVID-19 restrictions have changed traditional supply chain models, customer behaviour, government infrastructure funding and long-established business models.

A s the economy contracts the construction industry faces multiple business challenges, including rising operating costs, increased fuel prices, decreasing revenues and tighter margins. “Scania has always been at the forefront of setting new standards in sustainable logistics solutions,” says Nomonde Kweyi, General Manager, Marketing & Communications, Scania Southern Africa. “Improving the quality of our products while continuously improving the flows across every part of our supply chain eliminates waste and allows us to challenge operating costs.” Scania’s New Truck Generation is setting new benchmarks in the total cost of ownership, providing customers with sustainable cost-efficiencies, and securing them a competitive advantage in their industries. A 10% fuel saving State-of-the-art technological leadership is behind Scania’s latest sustainable operating breakthrough. Vehicle data recorded from multiple Scania trucks, in daily operation, using multiple drivers, yielded an average 10% fuel saving across the New Generation

efficient truck in South Africa. “Fuel costs can equate to over a third of operators’ total operating costs,” says Erasmus, “Any improvement in fuel efficiency can provide drastic savings.” Scania isn’t resting on their laurels though. “The highest recorded fuel savings in the market provides our customers with the cost- savings needed to offset maintenance costs. By using the fuel savings, our customers can pay zero maintenance costs,” explains Erasmus. Maintaining a truck at zero cost, especially when calculated across a fleet, has the potential to remove significant expenditure from operators’ total running costs, boosting profitability and significantly improving their ability to compete in a highly competitive market. “In the construction industry we know that maintenance costs absorb much-needed revenue and profit. The New Truck Generation has the potential to pay for its own maintenance,” says Erasmus. It’s total cost of ownership redefined, and Scania South Africa sees it as a game-changer that will help their customers find a sustainable revenue increase while their competitors continue to struggle with high operating costs. “As

truck range. “Every Scania we make is equipped with smart technology, advanced sensors and wireless connectivity. We have thousands of constantly

challenging economic realities bite, Scania’s sustainable cost-efficiencies are driving our customers business

connected vehicles providing the data needed to make informed cost savings decisions,” explains Mark Erasmus, General Manager Sales, Scania Southern Africa. This proven 10% fuel saving,

ambitions and delivering increased profitability, that is helping them achieve otherwise elusive business growth,” says Erasmus. “Scania Zero Cost of Maintenance is driven by our 10% Proven Fuel Efficiency. This

equates to cost-savings that promise to redefine what is possible in South Africa’s construction industry,” Erasmus concludes. ▄

compared to the Scania PGR range, makes the Scania New Generation the most fuel-

Mark Erasmus, General Manager Sales, Scania Southern Africa.

33

CONSTRUCTION WORLD APRIL 2021