Company Announcement - The South African Branch of the German based manufacturer of high-quality industrial diesel engines has moved to a new facility. The relocation underlines the commitment to the Southern African market, offers an improved customer service and emphasises the premium approach of the Hatz brand. Following discussions with Senior Hatz Management in Germany, it was deemed necessary to increase the operations and capabilities within the Sub Saharan area. Therefore Hatz Diesel South Africa has moved to new premises in Edenvale, South Africa. As 2016 will represent 30 years of Hatz in South Africa - it seemed the right time to expand and invest.

Following a visit from Mr. Wolfram Hatz, Managing Director for Sales and Marketing of the Motorenfabrik Hatz in early 2014, an outline was laid out, capital approved and the green light was given to go ahead. Mahomed Essop, the Operations Manager of Hatz Diesel South Africa and employee of almost 30 years next year, was given the job of delivering the project on time and on budget.

The brief was to have a state of the art building, with the latest workshop technology and logistically laid out to handle the ever growing Generator Division – Hatz Power Systems, which requires extra space and heavy lifting and testing capabilities. Mahomed’s task was to liaise with the architects and builders throughout the whole process – He said “We had ample office space but we wanted to be open plan and have better flowing offices where everyone can easily communicate. The engine test cell, the paint booth and work bays were the difficult task, we took advice from other Hatz Branches and even travelled to Australia to have input from our Hatz MD there who already runs a very modern facility.”

Tarryn Jackson, Sales Manager said “We wanted to have a place we can proudly bring our customers to see and specify our products – be it a 4hp 1B20 or a 500kVA generator. We have a premium brand, a premium product and now we have a state of the art premium building.” The new facility in South Africa is 3244 m2 compared to a previous 2033 m2 – all the extra space is warehousing and workshop – the cranes and mezzanine floors being the biggest expense.

Joe Wilmer, South African Branch Manager, said “Our core business is obviously engines and we are in the midst of launching a state of the art water cooled product in the H50 range and rolling out common rail technology to our dealer network. Africa offers us different challenges to the normal market place. You have to also remember that Johannesburg is a major city of the World with the great Metropolitan area having somewhere in the region of 8 million people and with that a high population of Hatz product – this makes our facility a busy one for passing customers. Our new facility enables us to have greater stock, better workshop capability and an overall better service for our Customers. It also gives our workforce a more pleasant working environment.

"The Branch is a new fresh start, we have an all new operating procedure, European Health and Safety Standards and operating practices –  We have to get on with it and start showing some major growth – the Management has put its faith in the team with both support and finance and now it’s up to us." Although the new building is now operational an official opening will take place in 2016 to coincide with the 30 Year Celebrations of Hatz Diesel South Africa.