MANUFACTURING
Dezzi Equipment’ s National Parts Centre in Port Shepstone. on a wave of orders that are generated mainly through word of mouth from a growing customer base.
Plant Equipment & Hire( PEH) had the opportunity to investigate the enigmatic company up close and personal, speaking at length to a variety of its clients over several days, visiting their various facilities and seeing the machines in action, while hearing first-hand what has created an almost cult-like following by Dezzi Equipment users.
Manufacturing process
Dezzi Equipment draws its inspiration from listening closely to the customer base, understanding what is required in the various sectors of forestry, construction, quarrying, and mining, often undertaking adaptations from the standard machine to equip an order with modifications to best enhance the customer’ s needs.“ From a different tyre size or brand to attaching a different implement,” explains Mike Edmonds, factory manager.
With over R30-million worth of parts on site, once an order has been received, it’ s a matter of selecting the various components from stores,“ and ascertaining if anything is short”, says Edmonds, adding,“ Obviously we don’ t carry a large number of chassis, so at this stage we’ ll start processing the larger components” after assessing which specs need to be met. Drivetrain components are supplied by world-leading manufacturers, namely Cummins, Perkins, and ZF, to name a few.
All the steel is sourced from local manufacturers, which ensures availability and cost-effectiveness, along with a consistently high-quality product. Mike Jackson, GM, explains that the machines are designed on a modular system with numerous interchangeable elements. Also, many parts are highquality, off-the-shelf parts, readily available when any form of replacement is required, making it simple for customers to fix / maintain their machines after the warranty runs out.“ Our 2WD front axle for example uses a 3” steering cylinder which is a very common size and uses an off-the-shelf standard seal kit,” he adds. This in turn keeps manufacturing and replacement costs down, while expediting the fixing of any type of breakdown, minimising machine downtime.
The range is simplistic in design and would rate as entry level when compared with international OEMs. But the machines are packed with elementary solutions in their hardy make-up.“ For example, there are no bends or curves in the radiator hosing,” says Edmonds and indeed, there are no curves in the machine design generally. The equipment comes with flat glass that, should it be broken, can simply be replaced at a local glass supplier. The exception here is the recently added TLB, imported from Europe, an enhancement to the Dezzi stable.
Automated assembly is not a consideration as the number of units produced( and / or individually modified) would not warrant that type of financial outlay. The entire assembly process, therefore, is manual, with multitasked teams working in stationery work bays. A team is designated to a build, working on it from start with the placement of the chassis, through to the completion of the unit. Sub-assembly takes place parallel to the main assembly, such as the cab. Jackson adds,“ The factory produces about 120 machines a year, from tractors and ADTs to graders. The range is too wide to warrant automation based on those volumes,” he reiterates.“ To change
Kim Kemp
From left: All in-house components are manufactured to rigorous ISO standards; hydraulic tank in production with inspection / cleaning port clearly visible; and steel skeletons ready for recycling collection.
SEPTEMBER 2018 15