Plant optimisation and ultimately, business profitability, are dependent on high machine and equipment performance, reliability and availability which are, in turn, reliant on the strict implementation of well-orchestrated service and maintenance strategies.
“Maintenance, while comprising a vast range of topics, is in fact a very simple concept,” says Douw van Schalkwyk, business line manager for Power Technique’s Service Division. “It all comes down to adhering to the maintenance schedules and service intervals of each machine or piece of equipment. When a customer invests in an Atlas Copco machine, they will get the performance and reliability they expect from the brand. However, to ensure they get this consistently from their machines, good maintenance practices are critical and, going hand in glove with this, is aftermarket service quality. It really is no different to servicing one’s car at an OEM dealer.”
Elaborating on service quality, Van Schalkwyk says that first up is ‘who’ is performing the service? Atlas Copco strongly advises customers to appoint only OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to service and repair their machines. As an OEM, Atlas Copco must follow global requirements and adhere to international rules and standards. “This compels us to create a pool of highly trained, highly skilled product specialists who know the Atlas Copco products inside out.”
Atlas Copco identifies and develops stand-out talent amongst all employees and also fosters an apprenticeship initiative, creating an internal pool of top performers. Power Technique provides hands-on training in-house while theoretical training is managed by Atlas Copco’s HR department in collaboration with an outside Merseta-approved company. “This enables us to offer customers best-in-class service and support provided by highly trained, skilled technicians,” says Van Schalkwyk.
“Next comes the ‘how’. Using the correct tooling and genuine OE parts, our technicians take care of service, maintenance and repair work in the shortest possible time, helping to get customers up and running as soon as possible,” says Van Schalkwyk, who also draws attention to the fact that in the event of a warranty issue, the customer, having followed the OEM’s recommended service intervals, can depend on the OEM for an immediate response. “Moreover, fully serviced units fetch a better selling price, similar to a car with a full service history (FSH).”
“We, as the OEM, will carry the consequential damages resulting from the failed part. On the contrary, failure to follow OEM requirements will result in claims being declined, leaving the customer with down time and repair-related costs. Customers must also bear in mind that sub-standard parts are known to fail, driving up operational costs through downtime, production losses and parts replacement.”
Addressing the ‘when’, Van Schalkwyk highlights the importance of following the OEM’s recommended service intervals. “A preventative maintenance culture will help to reduce the risk of component failure and resultant unplanned, costly stoppages, subsequently increasing machine availability and extending life cycles, delivering an uptick in production low total cost of operation and ownership.”
Now for the ‘what’; alongside servicing and repairing Atlas Copco’s comprehensive mobile equipment range, the Power Technique after-market team also completely and/or partially rebuilds portable equipment components.
Power Technique’s range of mobile equipment, including air compressors, generators, light towers and pumps, is used for a wide variety of applications such as water well and exploration drilling, mining, quarrying and construction.
Atlas Copco Power Technique has created a strategic dealer network that stretches across South Africa and into neighbouring countries to bring products, qualified technicians and OE parts closer to customers who operate equipment on remote job sites. “As our dealers are at the coal face, they are able to deliver rapid turn-around times, helping to maximise customer uptime,” says Roelf van Niekerk, area sales manager.
Further adding value to the supply chain, Power Technique has invested substantially in digitalised systems, developing several user-friendly online platforms that enable customers, with the click of a button, to conveniently stay connected with their machines and equipment, access vital product information and purchase parts online 24/7/365.
