RCE Earthmoving & Civils is achieving impressive productivity gains on major civil infrastructure projects across South Africa, with its Volvo EC220 excavator delivering production figures more than double its original targets. Supplied and supported by Babcock, the machine is helping the contractor accelerate project delivery while improving operational efficiency and cost predictability.
For RCE, productivity is a critical measure of equipment performance. “It is mostly about efficiency and production per day,” says Zahur Ebrahim, Owner of RCE Earthmoving & Civils. “If we do not have that, you could run weeks on end and still be behind. With Volvo, we manage to meet our targets consistently.”
The decision to invest in the Volvo EC220 was influenced by the company’s focus on productivity, fuel efficiency and technology, alongside its previous positive experience with Volvo machinery.
On its current project, RCE initially targeted daily production of between 700 and 800 m³. During box-cut excavation, however, the EC220 achieved outputs ranging from 1 500 to 1 750 m³. “We have more than doubled that,” says Ebrahim. “And it is largely due to the fleet.”
This improved performance has significantly influenced the project schedule. Work originally expected to take five months is now forecast to be completed in approximately half that time. The increased output also allows the contractor to make more effective use of its equipment and personnel, freeing up resources for subsequent projects.
Operator acceptance has further reinforced the machine’s value on site. Beyond comfort-enhancing features such as air conditioning and Bluetooth, the EC220’s performance has made a strong impression on operators.
“The operators love it,” says Ebrahim. “This current operator comes from a different machine, and he makes sure that he is the earliest one on site so that he never loses his place.”
RCE’s transition from older, second-hand equipment to newer Volvo machinery has also brought greater cost certainty through Babcock’s service agreements. These arrangements help the contractor manage maintenance expenses and reduce uncertainty when planning project costs.
“Babcock has supported us with service agreements, which makes this entire process so much easier, because basically we have fixed costs,” says Ebrahim.
The company’s previous experience with Volvo equipment also contributed to its investment decision. “We have previously run a mixed fleet, and the least problematic machines have been the Volvo machines. With the service agreement that Babcock has offered us, it made it a very easy decision.”
Beyond the equipment itself, RCE values Babcock’s ongoing assistance, including parts availability, technical guidance, aftersales service and operator training. Regular communication with the sales and service teams ensures support is accessible whenever required.
“It has been brilliant. Parts availability is amazing,” says Ebrahim. “Whether it is during the day or the evening, I have someone that I can call who can give me some insight, whether we want to get it done ourselves for efficiency or whether they send someone out for us. They are always there to support.”
With service and trade-back arrangements supporting its longer-term fleet strategy, RCE is looking to build on its experience with Volvo and Babcock. “We are looking forward to acquiring even more machines from them in the future,” says Ebrahim.
The EC220’s performance demonstrates how the right combination of equipment, dealer support and predictable operating costs can help civil contractors increase production, improve project efficiency and deliver results sooner.
