SEW-Eurodrive South Africa has expanded its Field Service Department, and is growing its service offering with the addition of value-added services such as vibration and oil analysis.
“This will broaden the scope of our aftermarket support significantly,” comments Eben Pretorius, head of the Field Service Department. “Normally we carry out a visual inspection to determine the condition of a gearbox or power pack. Now we can pinpoint a specific bearing or gear component within the unit that is starting to fail and, in addition, identify whether or not the oil is in a usable condition.”
The advantage for customers is that they are made aware of potential problems or imminent failures, and can plan corrective actions around normal shutdown periods. This approach is less disruptive to business and more cost-effective than unscheduled or unplanned downtime. “We are now able to work with customers to carry out preventative maintenance or supply replacement units on short notice to maximise plant uptime,” stresses Pretorius. “The value-added services are applicable to SEW-Eurodrive’s extensive geared motor and industrial gear product ranges.”
While the company has already been offering such value-added services to some of its larger customers, the plan now is to roll it out to all customers. In addition, it is in the process of incorporating these value-added services into formal service contracts to ensure customer maintenance and condition monitoring is performed by skilled technicians with specialist knowledge in the transmission industry.
The Field Service Department has grown significantly in the past year. “On the electronics side, we have just completed a major project for an automotive manufacturer that has extended its plant for the assembly of its latest model,” highlights Pretorius. “We are currently busy at another automotive manufacturer, upgrading its entire plant with innovative, safe, and energy-efficient concepts and products from our comprehensive modular system of drive elements. We focus on energy efficiency and safety technology in particular, with products designed specifically for this purpose, making us an ideal partner.”
The success of the Field Service Department indicates a clear need for skilled technicians who are able to service and repair products in the field. “Technicians are available 24/7 and provide support in 23 African countries,” concludes Pretorius, “and our large local stockholding gives us the ability to respond quickly to breakdowns and critical situations.”
Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.
Read more...A strategic milestone for Conical Technologies Conical Technologies
News
Conical Technologies has been appointed as the sole distributor in southern Africa for Mibbo, manufacturers of a vast array of products for the automation industry.
Read more...Robotics TechTalk at UKZN
News
The Scientific Multidisciplinary Advanced Research Technology Lab at the University of KwaZulu-Natal recently held an exciting TechTalk. It was an opportunity to introduce students to the IEEE Robotics and Automation chapter, SAIMC, and the Robotics Association of South Africa.
Read more...Schneider Electric honoured with Gender Leader Award Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric has been awarded the Gender Leader Award at this year’s Africa CEO Forum. This award acknowledges those organisations operating in Africa that have shown a significant and continuous commitment to gender diversity and inclusion.
Read more...Africa Automation Technology Fair 2025 closes on a high note
News
The Africa Automation Technology Fair 2025 officially wrapped up after three dynamic days at Gallagher Convention Centre, cementing its status as Africa’s leading platform for industrial automation, AI and IoT.
Read more...A new generation of solar professionals
News
A new generation of solar professionals is rising in Cape Town. The second cohort of the Solar Youth Project has just completed an intensive eight-week training course and is ready to take on the next stage, 10 months of work experience.
Read more...From the editor's desk: The age of superintelligence Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
In this issue of SA Instrumentation & Control we say farewell to our longstanding contributing editor, Michael Brown, who is retiring soon. His outstanding contribution over the years in the field of ...
Read more...Cable solution simplifies connectivity SEW-EURODRIVE
Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
Cabling can be one of the most challenging aspects of automation and drive system installations, often leading to delays, faults and inefficiencies. SEW-EURODRIVE offers a solution that simplifies connectivity, its innovative Digital Data Interface technology combined with a single cable system.
Read more...Driving digital transformation in the new wave SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council
News
The latest presentation in the series ‘Knowledge Sharing 4 Industry’ will be held on Wednesday 25 June. It will be presented by Johan Potgieter, Cluster Industrial Software Leader for Schneider Electric, South Africa.
printer friendly version