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The supply of aftermarket
products to the local trucking industry has become increasingly challenging with
the arrival of new models and brands, all needing reliable, budgetfriendly
retrofit components and spare parts.
The growing need for comprehensive spares inventories aside, this sector of the industry
has also been undermined by the influx of ‘grey’/’pirate’ parts which
not only damage pricing norms, but also jeopardize the efficiency of the end user,
namely, the truck transporter, who is often the victim of sub-standard parts and components’
performance and back-up.
In recent months, two leading players in this arena have introduced strategies to help overcome these
problems.
Upping the service ante
In the world of truck driveline technology, ZF is a household name and has been doing business in South
Africa since 1980. According to the company’s MD, F.X. Laubscher: “In
a highly competitive automotive business market with the added pressure of a global economic crisis,
extensive exchange of information and fast service become key factors
for sustainable success. Keeping this in mind ZF Services South Africa
has made a promise to exceed its customers’ expectations.
“By incorporating intelligent concepts that link future mobility and
driving enjoyment with fuel efficiency, resource conservation and safety, ZF
can already offer its customers a more financially responsible alternative for a
safer future.”
"ZF’s services include product sales on behalf of its divisions,
consulting and training, prompt supply of original spare parts, retrofitting and
upgrading, as well as maintenance and repair of transmissions, steering
systems and axles of ZF Manufacture for all types of vehicles," adds
Laubscher.
“All ZF Services
South Africa’s business units have made the optimisation and
extension of services their number-one priority. Coupled with a
fully-fledged onsite workshop, where service and repairs are
completed with extensively trained staff and state-of-the-art
equipment, any specified service with regards to steering, axles and
transmissions can also be dealt with promptly and efficiently,” he
says. |
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Streamlining the
range
Another leading player in
aftermarket/spares supply is Federal- Mogul, which has announced that it
will be streamlining and re-branding its current product range into
primary product categories under the banner of ‘Expert Brands’.
“This innovative new brand
strategy is being undertaken in an effort to simplify stocking
requirements for engine re-builders, technicians and distributors.
Federal- Mogul's re-branding initiative will incorporate an extensive
anticounterfeit programme, which is being implemented to protect both the
integrity of each engine brand, as well as the end-user of the product
from inferior counterfeit goods,” explains Martin Hendricks, Vice
President, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Global Aftermarket.
The brand realignment will
not result in any changes to actual products, adds Hendricks. “Federal-
Mogul's re-branding will eliminate duplication of products under multiple
brands which will simplify stocking requirements, increase availability,
increase new parts introduction, and assist service providers and
re-builders in faster easier identification of the best original equipment
technology component for each repair.”
With its reputation for
supplying world-renowned truck aftermarket products, “Federal-Mogul is
able to offer the most respected OEbased brand in each primary engine
product category. This new approach will reinforce the strength of each of
our Expert Brands by forging stronger relationships with the professionals
who install our products,” concludes Hendricks.
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