SEW-Eurodrive has increased its level of service to customers through its competitive turnaround times and the highest levels of after-sales support based on its comprehensive stockholding of accessories and spares. General manager of operations, Raymond Obermeyer, notes that stockholding and spares form an important part of the company’s business strategy.
“It contributes a significant amount to our business as we pride ourselves on the ability to offer availability of spares and accessories on a 24/7 basis as part of our after-sales support,” he says.
Obermeyer reveals that there is constant demand for accessories and spares with some customers ordering critical spares ahead of time in order to have them available when they are needed.
The company boasts a stockholding of 80% of the stock items that it sells. Obermeyer explains that if the required part is available from any of the company’s five national branches, it can be delivered to the customer within 24 hours.
“If the spares or accessories are not locally available, we can source them from our global network within days. We keep a large inventory of stock nationally and therefore are able to serve our customers effectively through our branch network,” he continues.
Obermeyer admits that cost-based purchasing is a challenge in the local market. “As times are reasonably tough in the industry at the moment, businesses are generally purchasing systems that are cheapest at purchase time, without taking total cost of ownership into consideration.”
A knock-on effect of this is that the market is also expecting suppliers to provide longer warranty periods. Obermeyer continues: “Instead of the customer spending money on condition monitoring, the supplier has to look after the equipment in the plants. This has led to us investing in a complete drive service (CDS), part of which is based on condition monitoring.”
Obermeyer reveals that there are two types of customers in the local market, namely those who operate the equipment until it needs replacing and those who make use of conditioning monitoring equipment and the benefits that it provides.
“There are several reasons for the different markets. Firstly, there is a lack of skills in the country, and people do not always know how best to look after their equipment. Then there is the financial implication of maintaining equipment as condition monitoring is expensive. However, investing in the maintenance of the equipment results in a better return on investment over the long-term,” he concludes.
Read more...From the editor's desk: Consistently not stupid Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
Over the years I’ve followed Charlie Munger. He’s considered to be one of the greatest investors and thinkers on decision making in the past century, and spent six decades as Warren Buffett’s business ...
Read more...SEW-EURODRIVE to exhibit energy-efficient automation at Propak Cape SEW-EURODRIVE
Motion Control & Drives
[Sponsored] SEW-EURODRIVE will showcase its MOVI-C modular automation portfolio at Propak Cape, demonstrating how integrated drive and automation technologies can help processing and packaging companies reduce energy consumption and improve production consistency.
Read more...South Africa’s space balls
Editor's Choice News
South African engineers are preparing to take low-frequency radio astronomy to the Moon with three locally developed B.A.L.L.S. spheres aboard China’s Chang’e-8 mission. This could pave the way for a 55-antenna lunar array and marks another step in the country’s growing space engineering capability.
Read more...RS South Africa announces 2026 Student Project Fund winners RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa has awarded 13 engineering students with R10?000 worth of products each through its 2026 Student Project Fund, supporting projects spanning renewable energy, robotics, warehouse automation and STEM education.
Read more...Certified gas meter module
News
Sensirion’s next-generation SGM5304 gas meter module has completed certification to the harmonised EN 17526 standard, simplifying MID approval and speeding customers’ route to market.
Read more...Trafo Power Solutions expands market share
News
Trafo Power Solutions is expanding its market share in mining, industrial, infrastructure, data centre and renewable energy applications through technical expertise, application-specific engineering and responsive customer support.
Read more...Trafo Power Solutions returns to Electra Mining Africa
News
Trafo Power Solutions returns to Electra Mining Africa 2026 with a portfolio that has expanded well beyond dry-type transformers into fully engineered electrical power solutions for mining, industrial and infrastructure operations across Africa.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version