PRODUCT FOCUS
we have three registered Lifting Machine
Inspectors (LMIs) – which is a key part of
legislation to ensure compliance in terms
of load testing requirements. We’ll offer
inspection services, predominantly with
Potain cranes.”
OEM backing
Crous highlights that Crane & Hoist
Equipment SA is very proud to have a
close partnership with a world player
of Potain’s reputation and stature. “The
management and staff of our business
have a long relationship with Potain
products, which we will leverage to the
benefit of our customers. With at least
200 Potain cranes in active service in
South Africa alone, we can see that the
local market is very loyal to this strong
brand, and we pride ourselves in providing
existing and new customers the highest
level of service and support.”
Smit points out that Crane & Hoist
Equipment SA will make it easier for
of cranes we can offer for the project. We
will also assist with the positioning of the
cranes and planning the lifts. Throughout the
project we will manage the maintenance
and services for them.
“As a Potain agent, we are able to service
and maintain as per the OEM specs. We can
assist with the correct technical information
from the start of a project. For example, a
client will send the CAD drawings of the
site, and we will suggest and assist them
with the layout,” he says.
Louw Smit, Sales Director, adds, “An
important consideration for any project is
to think about taking the crane down even
before you’ve put it up. You have to consider
that a new site is open, but once building
starts, the layout is very different – and you
need to have planned ahead for getting the
cranes out. Positioning is important. It also
makes the difference between using a 200t
mobile, to maybe a 700t mobile.”
Crous says, “As a Lifting machine entity
registered with the Department of Labour,
Crane & Hoist Equipment SA tower crane crew prepares to telescope a Potain MCT
85 in Rosebank.
16
AUGUST 2019
customers to source original spares. The
company’s direct sourcing from Potain
in France will also make its pricing to
customers more competitive. “Generally,
with Potain, if we order parts before 14h00,
it’ll go out for shipment that same day, and
we will receive it within around three days.
We keep stock of key items as a time-
saver. Our technicians help keep record
of parts that move quickly, and we’ll keep
stock of those.
“Some of the Potain electrical
components can be sourced through a local
agent. The same with bearings. The major
electrical components we will import from
Potain, but parts that can be sourced locally,
provided they are of the same quality, we
will source locally,” he adds.
Safety and compliance
“We place a priority on safety and
compliance with all our products and
services, and being part of the Potain family
will also give us direct access to their global
expertise,” says Crous.
“For our part we are, of course, a
registered lifting machine entity (LME) with
the Department of Labour, and believe in
close compliance with OEM specifications
in all our work.”
As an aid to ensuring a customer’s
compliance with safety, and based on a
client’s safety specification, Crous says
that Crane & Hoist equipment will compile
site-specific safety documentation and
submit this to the client. “Given the high-
risk nature of our business, we have to
make sure that our products are compliant
to a client’s specification and legal
requirements.”
Smit adds, “There may be a client
who may not be up-to-date with safety
requirements, or may not know exactly
what the requirements are, so we always
ensure that our documentation is up to
date and relevant, so that we can ensure
that the project is completed safely. For
example, a client may be unaware that
authorisation is required when they lift
a crane above a certain height. We will
inform the project manager and give
them documentation to complete, and
in this way we can ensure that they are
compliant.”
“There’s nothing worse than arriving
on site on the day of commencement of
a project, and no one remembers what
was previously discussed. So we make it
clear from our side to avoid unnecessary
delays. If a mobile crane has to stand due
to delays, it’s at quite a cost. We like to be
as efficient as possible – we make sure
that when we arrive on site, everything is
www.equipmentandhire.co.za