Construction World May 2017

EQUIPMENT

Recognised in the global arena The commitment by FAW Vehicle Manufacturers SA to the African region and its successes this and last year, have not gone unnoticed. Recognised as the most determined and successful Export and Import business units of the massive FAW Group worldwide, the local company has received a sought-after accolade.

FAW in South Africa was recognised this year on 27 and 28 February in China, amidst representatives from all the active FAW regions worldwide. It was during the FAW Import and Export Corporation’s annual Global Sales And Marketing Conference in Chengdu, that Richard H. Leiter executive director from FAW SA who attended on behalf of FAW SA, was called up to receive the special honour of the ‘FAW – Best Distributor Award 2016’. Wang Zhijian, President of the FAW Import and Export Corporation who was proud to announce the award explained: “This award stands for the united spirit of FAW employees and Dealer partners who jointly tackle regional and global challenges. It is awarded in recognition of collaboration between all teams working for the company or dealers in: sales; aftermarket; service and support; parts and maintenance; and finance and Insurance. “It acknowledges these teams that have worked according to a co-ordinated strategy with a single unified vision.” While the award mainly recognises the efforts of a particular year, the fact remains that FAW SA is continuing with its growth strategy into 2017. FAW SA set new benchmarks and company sales records in both January and February this year. First were the astounding 107 units sold

in January setting the highest benchmark yet for FAW SA, regarding year-on-year growth comparisons. As if this in itself was not astonishing enough FAW SA further proved another record in February. This achievement was even more exciting for all the employees and partners when the company and its dealers together racked up 134 units sold, the most ever recorded in a single month. One of these 2016 highlights happened in the second half of last year when the Coega-based plant near Port Elizabeth saw its 2 000 th locally built truck roll-off the production line, after just two years of production, giving rightful claim to the company’s motto – ‘Built in South Africa, for Africa.’ It was in the export market that FAW SA was particularly prominent and flourished in 2016, having one of the most consistent month-on-month export drives in the SA

“Having such large and comprehensive fleet is without doubt a major differentiator, but we believe that the proficiency of our people is just as important,” he says. “Undertaking such a complex and specialised activity requires the ability to engineer the lift from the initial assessment through to the actual completion of the job.” “Importantly, Johnson Crane Hire can undertake these mammoth projects in a seamless operation,” Robson says. The heavy lift division makes use of 3D CAD software for both the design and engineering of the lift as well as the simulation thereof. “Full time, dedicated mechanical engineers form part of the team, and understand the implications and requirements that go into the planning and execution of these complex lifts,” Robson says. “This level of attention to detail is essential during the planning stages.” truck building industry. The company exceeded the 200-unit mark in exports into African countries in just a year of exports. A growing number of Africa truck dealers who traditionally placed their orders from FAW China continue to move their orders to originate out of South Africa owing to the shorter lead time for delivery, the high levels of quality from the South African plant, and the reduced cost of sourcing FAW vehicles on the same continent. The Coega-plant has also been the bedrock for further investments in the region as a number of China-based industrial giants have visited Coega to see first-hand what the region can offer in infrastructure, logistics and labour. The FAW SA plant, at a start-up cost of USD60 million, was the first massive investment by a China-based company in the Eastern Cape region. A number of China- based companies are considering following suit, based on FAW SA’s successes. 

Mammoth lifting seamless Development in Africa continues and this has seen an increased need for a capable lifting specialist.

Johnson Crane Hire has an established reputation as a lifting specialist which gets the job done. The company operates a fleet of cranes that offers the necessary depth and range of movement, but it is the heavy lift capability that really sets them apart from other crane hire operators. Operating the largest heavy lift fleet of cranes in sub-Saharan Africa, the company undertakes complex heavy lift assignments with ease. Steve Robson, executive business development at Johnson Crane Hire, is quick to point out that this is not just because of the enormous investment in its fleet of cranes but also because the company has the depth of resources to underpin its service offering.

Richard H. Leiter executive director from FAW SA.

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD MAY 2017