SKF South Africa’s Fixturlaser sales unit, headed by Steve Gething, Manager - Reliability Systems Business Development, is in the Top Ten of the 2012 distributor world rankings for the supply of this leading Laser Alignment product range to the local and southern African markets. Gething proudly discusses this achievement, citing dedication to customer service as one of the main reasons for making the global Top Ten list. “When SKF was appointed global authorised distributor of Fixturlaser in 1999 we knew that this is one of the best Laser Alignment products currently available on the market. The SKF team realises that the customer remains core to our success and always comes first; this focused attention enables us to offer the best product with the best possible service to the ultimate benefit of the customer.”

According to Gething, this Top Ten ranking holds advantages for SKF, its authorised distributor network and SKF customers alike. “Achieving Top Ten status illustrates to our customers that we have a world class highly skilled and dedicated sales force that, together with our country wide network of authorised distributors, support a world class product.” “We are serious about the product we sell, and because we know that the product is excellent, we can sell with confidence,” continues Gething. “Fixturlaser is by far the world leader in Shaft Laser Alignment systems and our achievement also exemplifies the fact that Fixturlaser is an innovative company that will continue to lead the way in in this area of expertise.   2/…SKF SA_Top 10

Our customers also realise the superiority of the Fixturlaser product range and recognise our rapidly expanding Laser Alignment business.” It has been six years since that last innovative Laser technology system was introduced by Fixturlaser and the new NXA, launched by SKF in April 2013, is, according to Gething, an advancement rather than an upgrade to the previous unit. “Technology is moving extremely fast and it is essential for Laser Alignment and related technologies to continue moving forward to ensure that we keep ahead of the rest by being able to always offer the best.”

Built around the customer’s needs, the NXA is intended for accurate shaft alignment of coupled shafts, typically, any shaft to shaft arrangement that needs to and should be, co-linear i.e. pump to motor, gearbox to motor and fan to motor. Markets that will benefit from the NXA include all areas and all industries that currently make use of or have the need for Laser alignment tools. “Although we currently enjoy a very large portion of the South African market share, growth is always an option and with this product, we expect that our existing customers will request the NXA and that potential customers will seriously consider the benefits that the NXA has to offer for their next Laser Alignment system.”

The NXA Laser alignment product’s unique built-in technological feature enhances the alignment process, offering many cost and time saving benefits such as decreased set up time and increased unit accuracy and stability. This means that once the alignment is checked, corrected and done, it is done correctly the first time. Gething says these benefits will ultimately change the user experience to one of faster and more repeatable measurements not seen before. “This will lead to customer saving in energy, downtime and catastrophic failure through incorrect alignments,” he adds.

These include:
• Very large screen for easy reading
• One of the ‘Slimmest Wireless unit in its class’ - ideal for operation in compact spaces
Rechargeable Laser heads eliminate the need for purchasing pen light batteries   
•  ‘Longest battery life in its class’ for longer intervals between charging
• ‘In-case charging facility’ enables all units to fit into one charger
• ‘Dual core processor’ for faster operation
• True Positioning Sensing for simultaneous monitoring of both shafts
• NXA has vertizontal and measures once, moves in both planes
• AI (Alignment Intelligence) for unparalleled signal control
• CCD instead of PSD - 2nd generation 30mm CCD laser detector
• Edge detection means problem-free operation in sunlight
• GRASP - Graphic User Interface with touch screen and icon based Omniview
• ‘Built in Gyroscope’ enhances ‘True Positioning Sensing’
• Lifetime Warranty

A recent sales conference held in Sweden offered Gething some insightful information into the latest technology offered by Fixturlaser and how market needs and trends have changed with regard to the needs of the customer through technology. “During the conference, we received training on the NXA and we are fully competent to take it to market. We will train our SKF South Africa technicians in how to use the NXA to its full extent to ensure that our customers enjoy all the benefits offered by this quality NXA system.” Gething adds that customers will also receive training upon purchasing an NXA.

“Our customers can rest assured that we will continue to put them first and offer them only the best when it comes to Laser Alignment systems,” confirms Gething and extends his thanks to the team, “who have made it possible for us to achieve the award as one of the Top 10 Fixturlaser sales units in the world. “ We are without doubt, a team to be proud of,” concludes Gething.  /Ends