Bobcat Equipment South Africa has fully-equipped service centres and qualified technicians to take care of customers’ maintenance and repair requirements. The company’s nine countrywide branches all have their own dedicated service centres, National Aftermarket Manager Arina van der Westhuizen reveals.

This is in support of its general three-year warranties. Once these expire, there is often a temptation for Bobcat equipment users to seek out ‘grey market’ products and service providers in an effort to reduce aftermarket and repair costs.

“In the long term, this will cost customers substantially more, as the use of imitation parts and non-accredited service providers results in major machine breakdowns, owing to faulty parts or shoddy workmanship,” van der Westhuizen stresses. Most of Bobcat Equipment South Africa’s service centres are fully-equipped with overhead cranes, and all of them have specialised diagnostic tools that not only pinpoint specific problems with machines, but which can also update the software on more advanced models.

“We can also send technicians out to any site to undertake repairs and maintenance on equipment. We have a fleet of vehicles that is fully-equipped to assist clients in addressing all necessary aftermarket servicing of machines.” Bobcat Equipment South Africa currently has 27 highly-skilled and certified technicians countrywide.

Van der Westhuizen notes that there has been a noticeable increase in the refurbishment market. “In the current economic climate, many companies do not have the resources to purchase new equipment, and are seeking to extend the lifespan of their existing machines for as long as possible.”

The company also offers clients a bespoke retrofit solution on older machines. Van der Westhuizen highlights the critical role that proactive maintenance plays in extending equipment life. Strong aftermarket service is therefore critical in retaining clients. “It is no longer sufficient to simply sell equipment, and not offer a comprehensive and cost-effective post-sales service offering. Customers pay good money for their machines, and deserve to have peace of mind, knowing that the company that supplied them the equipment will be with them throughout its operating life.”

Van der Westhuizen elaborates: “This emphasis on developing customer relationships built on trust ultimately assists in securing future equipment sales, as a track record of unwavering technical support instils confidence in our complete product and service offering.”

Due to the support that Bobcat Equipment South Africa receives from its OEMs, in turn, it is able to provide the highest-quality parts and service, in addition to in-depth equipment knowledge. Being part of the larger Goscor Group of companies also gives it a leading edge in the local market, she concludes.