BUSINESS
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Babcock
Babcock provides comprehensive technical support for some of the world ’ s leading heavy-duty machinery brands , including Volvo CE and Terex Trucks .
Robyn Grimsley
Babcock also offers its customers a rebuild option , which is specifically geared towards the mining sector where machinery rapidly clocks up high production hours . Once the warranty on a machine has lapsed , customers may have the option of refurbishing it rather than trading it in or buying new . After refurbishing , Babcock parts and services extend the warranty on the machine for an additional 12 months .
CASE Construction Equipment
Another company that is directing some of its focus to maintenance and refurbishing is CASE Construction Equipment distributer CSE Equipment .
Ross Collard , who joined CSE as managing director earlier this year , is proud of the company ’ s workshop . “ I ' ve always had this very strong bond to workshops , because that ’ s where I started out . And I see this as an area with huge potential . The service department is one of my pet projects , and it ’ s a massive part of our offering . Since I ’ ve come on board at CSE , we ’ ve realigned the workshop — we ’ ve spent money , we ’ ve bought equipment , we ’ ve revamped the workshop — and we ’ ve got a facility that ’ s just world class . We can do full component rebuilds , including engines , transmissions and hydraulics , and we can do hydraulic testing , resprays , and refurbishing — everything in-house .”
Collard is quick to add that not only the facilities are world class . “ We also have incredibly skilled people . I think about 80 % of our mechanics are actually home-grown ; they all trained in-house . In addition to revamping the workshop , we ’ ve hired after-sales reps to focus on the service and parts side of our offering , so we can offer customers everything they need .
We offer full after-hours parts and servicing , and we ’ re fortunate to have a distribution centre across the road , so we know parts are available .”
CASE has a remote machine management system called SiteWatch , which monitors machine performance , among its other functions . Collard explains that the CASE machines are sold with service contracts , and SiteWatch enables CSE to schedule services and maintenance . “ At 250 hours , for example , we can contact the customer and tell them that their machine is due for a service . We ’ ve never really put an emphasis on this before , but we want to start offering this service and we are currently bringing in the first batches of machines with SiteWatch fitted , although it is a huge undertaking to get on track with so many machines .”
Komatsu Mining Corp .
Komatsu Mining Corp . ( previously Joy Global ) is another OEM that places heavy emphasis on machine maintenance . The mining equipment manufacturer has a state-of-the-art distribution and service centre at its Wadeville plant that undertakes maintenance , repairs , rebuilds , and refurbishing of all types for all of its equipment . The 8 500m 2 full-service manufacturing facility has high-density covered storage and offers 24 / 7 turnaround , running two shifts of disassembly , assembly , component fabrication , welding , and machining operations . The company ’ s processes also include internal inspections and verifications , exit audits for final quality inspections , and commissioning audits .
“ Our workshop has a full manufacturing capability , and thus we are able to manufacture equipment from scratch , such as turning a
flat plate into a full frame for a shuttle car or continuous miner , and do repairs of all types , from basic maintenance right through to full refurbishments and reconditioning of equipment ,” says Marc de Chalain , business development manager for Africa for Komatsu Mining Corp . “ We also offer the same services for the various components , including electric motors and hydraulics .”
Komatsu Mining ’ s engineering team comprises around 70 technical staff with qualifications covering a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines based in South Africa , with an additional 200 + global technical staff for additional support . The centre ’ s capabilities include new manufactured units , as well as repair and remanufacturing of gearcase cutter drums , continuous miners , shuttle cars , roof bolters , drums and chains , shovel dippers , and motor repairs . The Wadeville facility also has 3-D printing capabilities , enabling the company to do rapid prototyping and even print models for customers when required .
The company also has a JoySmart Services Centre in eMalahleni that monitors all telematic data from its machines , and houses its oil and vibration analysis labs , as well as its training centre . Cutting-edge hardware and software systems allow the company to collect and analyse data from applications , including strain measurement , vibration monitoring , oil analysis , thermal photography and imaging , electroscopic measurement , metallurgical analysis , and current and voltage measuring . This allows Komatsu Mining to offer the best possible service to its customers . The Centre ’ s warehouse carries all of the company ’ s CEP stock units to ensure lower delivery response time , while on-site
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JULY 2017