VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT
Quality you can trust Choosing the right capital equipment supplier is a defining moment in any business. Alastair Currie speaks to Ryan Britain (RB), GM: Aftermarket at Bell Equipment Sales South Africa, and Meltus Badenhorst (MB), GM: Group Technical Services at the OEM’s Richards Bay factory, about new, used and remanufactured options backed by warranties. What is Bell Equipment’s overall aftermarket strategy? RB Bell Equipment Sales South Africa is the customerfacing entity looking after, supporting and maintaining our machines so that customers obtain the best value in terms of utilisation and availability. Our comprehensive aftersales strategy covers key components such as the driveline and hydraulics as part of a potential secondand third-life rebuild programme, depending on the machine and its application. Running in conjunction with this is a parts programme that includes the change-out of remanufactured components at competitive prices.
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This solution applies to Bell Equipment’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM) products, which include our world-renowned articulated dump trucks (ADTs), as well as the OEM machines that we sell and support as a specialist dealer, locally and globally. The latter includes the JCB earthmoving range, Kobelco excavators, and the Finlay crushing and screening line. By listening and adapting to customer requirements, we jointly refine the best aftermarket response. Is there a growing demand for used equipment? RB It’s clear that trading conditions within the
Ryan Britain, GM: Aftermarket, Bell Equipment Sales South Africa
Meltus Badenhorst, GM: Group Technical Services, Bell Equipment Sales South Africa
construction sector are challenging across the board, especially for new SMME entrants. In response, there’s a new, used or rebuilt option that caters for top-tier and entry-level contractors. The most popular used category comprises lowhour machines (around 6 000 hours) with a full service history. Each machine undergoes a detailed inspection and is then resold with a warranty. Such is the demand for this equipment that we have developed a dedicated preowned equipment website for customers that lists all our used equipment across the globe.
any unknown core surcharges. Some customers, however, still prefer to have their own components remanufactured and returned. Where they’re involved in cross-border work, for example, it’s often simpler if the engine serial number matches the one on the machine’s plate.
Are Bell remanufactured (ReMan) components interchangeable or can customers have their existing items rebuilt and returned? MB Both options are available. The key benefit of the remanufactured component exchange programme is that there’s minimal downtime for the customer. For example, an engine can be swopped out and the machine returned to service within a 24- to 48-hour period. The cost of a Bell ReMan exchange usually works out to be more affordable when a customer takes delivery of a remanufactured unit up front, supplied at a fixed price, and returns the old core/ component, thus eliminating
What warranties are provided on a used machine? MB All ReMan components have a standard 12-month, 1 500-hour warranty and for units with a full service history, we offer top-up warranties. Examples include a repower package that incorporates a full driveline component change-out. Our extended warranty is a peace-of-mind product, which we strongly recommend. The unexpected cost of a major component repair can make a deep dent in a customer’s operating budget and negatively affect their bottom line. This is especially the case if the machine is central to achieving daily production targets. Are there any operational tax benefits in going the Bell ReMan route? MB Imported components, e.g. a gearbox, attract a customs duty. That’s a strong motivation for buying a locally rebuilt component. Supporting remanufacturing in South Africa also promotes localisation and job creation.
