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In the wake of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon in America in September, Tyco International, local importer and distributor of International and Peterbilt trucks, has boosted its local parts stock by 50%. On a good day, the parts stores at the company's head office in Wadeville boasts stock holdings in the region of R30-million.

CEO Mike Koch tells FleetWatch that Tyco is not just buying International spares but is basically taking anything they can get their hands on. This includes parts for Cummins engines, Eaton-Fuller transmissions and Meritor axles, as well parts for the suspension, running gear and cabs. 

Koch says while no warnings have been given regarding possible shortages in the face of an escalation in the war in Afghanistan, Tyco is not taking any chances and will be in a position to keep South African customers rolling.

There is also another reason behind Tyco's aggression. With the current demise of the South African Rand against other currencies, Tyco can hope to use the parts as an hedge against further fluctuations in the currency markets.

In an aside, Koch says most parts were being brought in by airfreight as cargo rates were very favourable at the moment.