Building bonds that will pave the way for many more MANs in the Renico fleet – [from left] Renico’s Louis Nel and Nico Louw and MAN’s Henk Dique and Mark Gavin.

A few months ago, FleetWatch ran an article covering the new MAN CLA. Dubbed the ‘German truck at an Indian price’, this upgraded M2000 hit local shores a year ago and after extensive testing, has found buyers in KwaZulu- Natal and the Western Cape. Now, a Gauteng based earthmoving and plant-hire company has taken ownership of two CLA tippers, the first consignment of an order of twenty, writes Paul Collings.

Just over a decade ago, civil engineer, Nico Louw, took a good hard look at the extensive construction work being undertaken in the north-west region of Johannesburg and spotted a gap in the market for reliable earthmoving equipment and formed Renico Plant Hire. 

“I bought a 1989 CASE TLB machine but soon realized that a diverse fleet of earthmoving equipment was needed to meet demand. Renico now has a full range of equipment including tippers, loaders, TLBs, excavators, graders, watercarts and rollers,” says Louw, Renico Plant Hire’s Managing Director. 

Down to earth truck
From a truck point of view, Louw has distinct loyalties with 80% of his 64-unit fleet made up of MANs. 

“We’ve been running M2000 tippers since 2001 and also use the TGA for heavier applications,” adds Louw. “The CLA promises to offer everything the M2000 does and more.”

Reliability and economy are key selling points for Renico and ensuring optimal service delivery depends on the support MAN can deliver. “We have an excellent relationship with MAN Centurion’s Fleet Account Manager, Henk Dique, who, over the years has really come to understand the idiosyncrasies of this business. Allowing us to test drive the CLA for six weeks before signing the deal gave us the confidence to place an order for 20 units,” Louw adds. 

While the construction tipper market is characterized by rugged, low-tech trucks, the CLA has distinct advantages over its predecessor, as well as its competition, Louw explains. “During the test phase, we realized a 9% fuel saving with the CLA, compared to the M2000. Our drivers appreciate the familiar technology as well as the new levels of comfort. It’s not a space-ship, but a down-to-earth truck with a definite European feel.” 

The new CLA models are equipped with MBL bodies, which have proven tough enough over the years to handle the abrasive aggregate and rubble that Renico transports across Gauteng and as far north as Thabazimbi. 

“The drivetrain is much improved  on the M2000 with a ZF FS9111 nine-speed gearbox and hub reduction axles. It’s got a bigger fuel tank, steel bumpers, better ground clearance and comes standard with a PTO, which saves R8 000 per vehicle. The cab is more comfortable and comes fitted with a CD/radio,” says Louw. 

The new fleet of CLAs will execute round trips in Gauteng of around 44kms, Louw says. “Our customer base comprises civil engineering contractors and construction companies who have strict deadlines to meet. This means Renico has to keep downtime as low as possible. The 15 000km service interval on the CLA will assist in this regard, as will the hands-on and speedy back-up support we get from MAN and ZF.”

The CLA cab has many features to remind drivers that it’s really a German truck, from plush seats to solid instrumentation. Safety features include a reinforced cab and three-point safety belts.

Hard knocks
The earthmoving equipment-hire industry is as risk-prone as any other commercial fleet operation, suffering the same obstacles that hamper business development in this sector. “Renico’s plant manager and drivers communicate using two-way radios. Time sheets help control fleet routing. This system works well in ensuring we keep to schedule and control fuel costs. Weighbridges can be a problem at times but overloading is generally avoided because the quarries have weighbridges,” Louw says. 

As the Renico fleet grows, skilled drivers and technicians are needed – a challenging situation, confesses Louw: “We get a lot of applicants but generally, only 20% of them make the grade. We also have to contend with fuel tank tampering and with diesel selling at R4 per litre on the black market, the theft techniques are getting smarter by the day. Vehicle tracking and anti-siphon devices are essential these days to protect your mobile assets.” 

Adversity aside, Renico has the ability to grow from within and meet demand without overextending itself, and the CLA will help strengthen this capacity to ‘roll with the punches’. “It’s a quality 6x4 with an excellent power-toweight ratio. It has a turbo and intercooler but despite these useful technologies, the vehicle is uncomplicated and can be serviced without fancy electronic skills and equipment. It also comes at a good price – R90 000 less than its German competitor, in fact. Best of all, it’s a familiar truck to us and we’re looking forward to making the rest of them part of the Renico family,” concludes Louw.