COMMENT
Looking for alternatives:
equipment, energy, and technology
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n the face of economic uncertainty, many companies
turn their focus towards ways to increase productivity
while decreasing costs. Given the recent cabinet reshuffle
in South Africa and our subsequent downgrade to junk
status, this issue is more pressing than ever. For owners
and operators of heavy equipment, one of the best ways
to lower asset-related costs is through proper servicing
and maintenance of their machines. Another is to look
at alternatives to purchasing new equipment, such as
purchasing second-hand, rebuilt, or refurbished equipment.
This month’s ‘Business’ feature looks at some of southern
Africa’s largest OEMs and the services that they offer on
this front.
The telematics solutions offered by both OEMs and
third-party suppliers can help to ensure timely servicing and
maintenance of equipment, extending the life thereof. It
can also assist owners and operators in spotting potential
problems in the day-to-day operation of their machines,
such as identifying operators that require additional training
or coaching, or — particularly in the case of hire companies
— identifying when equipment is being used outside of the
areas or conditions of hire.
However, with this additional access to information and
data from machines comes a concomitant need to ensure
adequate security of this data. The recent outbreak of the
WannaCry ransomware made international headlines, and
underlined the need for intensified cybersecurity in our
increasingly digital age. This month’s ‘Insight’ article looks at
some of the points highlighted in industry-related analysts’
reports on cybersecurity in the industrial sector.
Staying in the technology arena, following my visit to
Komatsu Mining Corp.’s JoySmart Services Centre in
eMalahleni, our ‘Technology’ feature takes a look at how one
global mining company helps its customers optimise their
operations with remote monitoring and other support services.
Our intensifying reliance on computers in daily life
also raises another area that can impact massively on sites
operating heavy machinery: power generation. As more
of our systems become integrated and/or automated, the
potential for power outages to have catastrophic effects
looms ever larger. This is particularly true in the African
context, given the overburdened grids and remoteness
of many sites. Coupled with the drive to increase the
use of ‘greener’, more sustainable energy, companies
are progressively looking at alternative fuel sources and
energy storage solutions. Kenny Gaynor, director of power
solutions for Africa at Cummins, gives us some insight into
the challenges facing companies operating in Africa, and
shares his thoughts on the future of power generation on
the continent.
Finally, we take a look at the newest machines from Volvo
Construction Equipment. Fifty years after introducing the
world’s first purpose-built, series-manufactured articulated
dump truck (ADT), the 10-tonne 4×4 DR 631, nicknamed
Grus-Kalle (Gravel Charlie), the company unveiled its new
60-tonne A60H ADT and its companion the EC950E
excavator at bauma 2016. In May this year, Babcock hosted
the southern African launch event for both machines. This
month’s ‘New Equipment’ feature takes a look at what
prompted Volvo to develop its largest ADT and excavator,
and what makes them so well suited for southern African
mining sites.
Robyn Grimsley – Editor
Plant Equipment & Hire
www.equipmentandhire.co.za
JULY 2017
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