Established locally in 1947, Atlas Copco has a long history in Southern Africa. The company has grown into a major force in the South African mining and construction industries, where it currently employs over 1 200 people. Hedley Bernie, business line manager, talks to IMIESA about what Atlas Copco has to offer.

 

Which sectors does Atlas Copco service?

HB  Atlas Copco services the mining, quarrying, civil engineering, dimension stone, exploration drilling, and water-well drilling sectors.

 

Tell us more about the sort of solutions you offer your clients.

Atlas Copco is a world-leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions. We serve customers in more than 180 countries with products and service focused on productivity, energy efficiency, safety and ergonomics.

On the back of the release of our PowerROC T50 drill rig last year, we have now launched the SmartROC range into Africa. Smart technology is going to be the way forward in the future and Atlas Copco would like to be the front runner in mainstream modern drilling technology. We pride ourselves in being able to deliver high-quality and diverse products to our customers on all levels.

 

You supply a variety of equipment. Tell us about some of your products, highlighting key value propositions for clients.

We offer everything from basic pneumatic-operated crawler drill rigs all the way through to our flagship smart drilling technology, the recently launched SmartROC. Although only recently launched in Africa, 80% to 90% of the Australian drilling market operates on Atlas Copco Smart technology. Australia was introduced to the company’s Smart technology in 2007 and the current drill fleet is in excess of 150 units.

Our range includes AirROC, PowerROC, FlexiROC and SmartROC. Dimesion stone products include SpeedCUT, SpeedDRILL and SpeedROC. Exploration products for surface and underground including Smart technology.

 

What after-sales services does Atlas Copco offer?

Atlas Copco recognises that the purchase of capital equipment is just the start of a long-term business relationship with its customers. It is for this reason that our aftermarket activities are an important business focus. Each business area employs dedicated service teams comprising staff members who are specialists in their respective fields.

The Construction Tools Division within the Construction Technique business area has an extensive distributor network that also fulfils the extremely important service function.

 

Preventive maintenance is important for any equipment. What maintenance services do you offer and how can they save companies money?

An Atlas Copco service programme is designed to cut your production costs. The savings you can expect depend on how your production looks today – line assembly or fixed stations, tool types used, applications, frequency of tool use, work environment and other factors.

With our ToolScan RCM process, we can optimise a preventive maintenance programme for your type of production. This can provide cost savings of up to 60% and, in some cases, even more. Our RCM Operating Cost Savings Calculator helps you to identify your total potential savings.

In addition to tools, servicing your machines regularly is also very important to ensure reliable operation and a long service life. By following the recommended service intervals and regularly performing preventive maintenance, you minimise the risk of high production costs due to poor equipment performance and breakdowns. We can help with this.

Our quality genuine parts, highly trained technicians, efficient fleet and inventory management, and energy-efficient processes and facilities result in a lower cost of ownership throughout the life cycle of your equipment. We focus on the service so you can focus on your business. And the result maximises your productivity.

 

Tell us about your online platforms. How does using these benefit your clients?

We have two online platforms, namely Parts Online and Shop Online.

Parts Online is a tool clients can use to find spare parts for Atlas Copco construction equipment. The tool is available to existing customers, deals and distributers.

Parts Online offers customers 24/7 access and can be accessed via your web browser or through the app available for download for Android and Apple devices.

All information about spare parts has been consolidated on one platform, making it easier for clients to find and order what they need. Items can be transferred to Shop Online, our online store, where the customer can purchase it.

Shop Online allows customers the ability to buy spare parts and consumables anytime, anywhere. It offers up-to-date info on price and availability, and lets users track orders and print out packaging lists.

 

What rental services do you offer?

Atlas Copco has a rental option for short- or long-term demands, planned contingencies or unexpected emergencies. The size of our fleet, as well as our very quick response times, guarantees the continuity of your production. It is our business to keep your business running.

Rental options are only offered subject to board approval and customer credit worthiness.

 

In which geographic locations do you operate in Africa and how does this positively impact your supply chain and service delivery?

We operate in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. We have offices in most of the major centres in South Africa and sales offices in its neighbouring countries. This works to our advantage as we can service each individual customer to their satisfaction.

 

What does the future hold for Atlas Copco?

This is totally dependent on the current economic situation stabilising and the commodity pricing gaining momentum on the back of major currencies and the weakening rand and political stability.