A South African team has won the inaugural UD Trucks Gemba Challenge Aftermarket competition in Japan.

BB Truck and Tractor Polokwane became the 2014 UD Trucks Gemba Challenge champions by beating out 185 competing teams worldwide. The 2014 competition was the first year that the challenge was conducted on an international scale, as previously it only took place in Japan.

The Gemba Challenge is specifically aimed at aftermarket employees of UD Trucks and teams consist of two technicians, one parts expert and one service expert. Gemba is a Japanese term meaning ‘to focus on where the real work is taking place’. It is all about satisfying customers’ needs through speedy response and feedback, yet still maintaining high standards.

Another team from South Africa, McCarthy Commercial Vehicles Alrode, also participated in the finals in Tokyo, and were true ambassadors of their dealership and UD Trucks Southern Africa, finishing eighth in the world. Second and third position went to teams from Japan. The final round tested various skills and disciplines through practical and theoretical evaluations of the nine finalist teams.

“The aim of the competition is to showcase the high skills levels available in the UD Trucks markets, and in the process established a measurable standard of service and skill across the world,” said Gert Ebersohn, general manager for aftermarket at UD Trucks Southern Africa. “The Gemba Challenge also aims to ultimately deliver direct benefits to dealers in the form of improved knowledge and skills of their employees, which will subsequently lead to an enhanced service experience for our customers.”