Astec Industries, through its Africa and Middle East (AME) business unit, has entered into a new dealer partnership with META Plant & Equipment. This strategic alliance will deliver significant benefits to customers in East and Southern Africa by enhancing their access to Astec’s world-class infrastructure solutions, as well as delivering in-country support and after-sales service.

The partnership encompasses Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Zambia. META Plant & Equipment will leverage its branches in these territories to offer sales and support services for Astec’s asphalt and speciality plant, terminals and equipment; Astec road construction plant and equipment; and Astec forestry, organic and waste plant and equipment. 

With the continent’s infrastructure deficit and the massive infrastructure development expected over the next decade, the timing of the association is ideal, according to META Plant & Equipment’s Executive Chairman Andrew Fimister. “We are excited to be partnering with Astec and gaining access to an exciting range of outstanding equipment that is largely manufactured in the United States and offers exceptional quality at the right price. It also boasts a proven track record and the reputation and backing of the strong Astec brand,” he notes. Astec’s infrastructure equipment complements the existing range that META Plant & Equipment offers through other brands, Fimister says.

Calvin Fennell, Astec Industries Africa and Middle East Regional Sales Director for Infrastructure Solutions, notes that one of the key differentiators of Astec equipment is that it is designed for and well suited to the arduous operating conditions in African markets. “In Africa, where sites can be remote, inaccessible and inhospitable, it is critical to have robust, long-wearing equipment that is easy to operate and maintain. Astec’s infrastructure equipment fits the bill. It has proven its mettle in Africa. While it is simple and functional, it does not compromise on technology and innovation. It features the latest, most efficient technology for every application.”

Fennell says that META Plant & Equipment’s expansive footprint in Africa and its experience in and knowledge of the local construction industry made it an ideal fit for Astec Infrastructure Solutions. “This partnership is a coup for us. META’s business model - including its dealerships across Africa, well-established and experienced teams of technical staff and management, support vehicles, workshops, spares centres and stores - is perfectly aligned with our African expansion strategy. We wanted a partner that could ensure that Astec equipment users can have their machines serviced locally and do not have to reach outside of their country to get service, spares and skilled, knowledgeable technicians. This can really push up a business’s operational costs and downtime. With a full complement of people on the ground in all the territories covered, META Plant & Equipment is the perfect partner for Astec Infrastructure Solutions,” he expands.

Both Astec Industries and META Plant & Equipment are excited about the job creation and skills development opportunities that the partnership presents. “As our equipment offering grows, so does our need for more skilled, specialised workers who have been trained to analyse and repair these machines,” explains Fimister. 

“As more Astec equipment starts getting placed in these African markets, there will be more support needed, more meaningful job creation and more workers upskilled to deliver the required after market and product support, which META is well positioned to provide,” Fennell adds.

“We look forward to embarking on this exciting, mutually beneficial journey with META Plant & Equipment, which will enhance the sales and service of Astec equipment in Africa and enable us to contribute to much-needed infrastructure development on the continent,” he concludes.